Design & Certification Specialist

Salary: £65,343 up to £84,946 dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent

We are the UK's aviation regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The Role

The CAA is expanding its team of Design & Certification Specialists that drive the diverse certification design activities associated with commercial air transport, general aviation, unmanned air vehicles and innovation in the UK.

We are looking for aviation industry engineering specialists in all design/technical disciplines to become a design & certification specialist, to be responsible for supporting the overall Safety and Airspace Regulation Group (SARG) capability business plan and supporting the wider CAA team, specifically in establishing and delivering the UK’s ICAO State of Design responsibilities.

Reporting to the Design & Certification Manager and Design & Certification Principal Specialists, you will be accountable for the technical investigation/analysis and approval of certification projects and the continued airworthiness of aircraft, systems, engines and propellors across all civil aerospace domains including commercial air transport, general aviation, unmanned air vehicles and innovation projects.

This is a varied role, that will include significant interaction with industry representatives remotely and in person, involve the review and approval of new parts and products and their design changes, validation of other nations’ certifying authorities’ work as well as the investigation of the UK Design Organisations’ design approvals.

Industry and regulatory engagement will be required to ensure that the CAA keeps appraised of future projects, the proposed introduction and development of new and innovative technologies and any proposed regulatory changes.

About You

• You will have an Engineering degree / equivalent / or demonstratable industry experience.
• A proven expert, with detailed knowledge of the functioning and management of the aerospace industry, preferably gained by working in an approved organisation in an aerospace related engineering discipline.
• Proven knowledge of certification in one or more of the identified disciplines, as outlined below, with sufficient experience to have achieved level of Certification Signatory or Compliance Verification Engineer (CVE) within Industry, or expert and detailed knowledge of the functioning of aviation regulation gained through relevant experience within an Airworthiness Authority.

• Proven ability to monitor, guide and control technical decisions on a wide range of major safety issues.
• Capable of using experience and making sound judgments.
• Ability to think laterally to identify the wider implications.
• Ability to cope concurrently with high number of widely differing problems, with the appropriate level of input.
• Can understand specialist issues and modulate technical views to account for wider business and political considerations.
• Able to challenge information, propositions or assumptions, often of a deep technical nature and across a range of disciplines, affecting safety.

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

To be vetted we will usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. This can either be 3 years or 5 years depending on the level required (CTC or SC). If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application. For more information please visit - Vetting explained - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

Working With Us

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!

We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.

We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.

We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone.

As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here

Closing Date: 18th June 2023

Interview Date: You may be contacted before the closing date by our Resourcing Team to arrange an interview if the hiring manager deems your application to meet the required skill set.

No recruitment agencies please.

Job Segment: Power Plant, Testing, Compliance, Aerospace, Energy, Technology, Aviation, Legal