Airworthiness Policy Specialist/Surveyor - ASSI in Crawley

Salary: Up to £60,000 per annum dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

Security Level: BPSS

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

Location: ASSI Office, Crawley Town Centre

Closing Date: Sunday 5th July 2026

Interview Date: W/C Monday 27th July 2026

Planned Start Date: Monday 7th December 2026 (pending completion of the necessary pre-employment checks)

Air Safety Support International Ltd (ASSI) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Established in 2003, ASSI supports the development of civil aviation safety regulation in the UK Overseas Territories (OTs). Its mission is “To ensure, in an inclusive and sustainable manner, that the UK meets its international obligations in respect of aviation safety regulation within the UK Overseas Territories”.

The Role

• To audit / assess the safety of approved organisations and Departments of Civil Aviation (DCAs) based in the UK Overseas Territories (OTs) and to establish their compliance with the requirements of the Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) Order and the Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) (Environmental Standards) Order, in line with Performance Based Oversight (PBO) principles.
• To develop and maintain policy material related to Airworthiness in the OTs, including published OT Aviation Requirements (OTARs) and guidance material in the form of OT Aviation Circulars (OTACs).
• To act as a technical expert and assist ASSI in achieving its overall objectives using the tools and procedures available, including the use of Centrik, our audit management tool.
• To assist with the further development and implementation of PBO and provide training, both internally and to the OTs, as necessary.
• Develop and maintain policy for airworthiness, aircraft registration and associated subjects.
• Review ICAO State Letter proposals affecting airworthiness and respond on behalf of the OTs, resolving any conflicting views.
• Maintain compliance information for ICAO Annexes 7, 8, 16 and others as allocated.
• Work with the DCAs and airworthiness staff of the OTAAs to ensure smooth, consistent and timely implementation of OTARs.
• Work with the Training Manager to design, plan and implement airworthiness training and technical assistance for regulatory staff of the Overseas Territories.
• Conduct oversight of all airworthiness aspects of approved maintenance organisations OTAR 145, continued airworthiness organisations OTAR 39 including AOC and OTAR 125 approval holders’ airworthiness management.
• Perform surveys of aircraft and audit supporting documentation to verify conformity with the certification basis for a Certificate of Airworthiness and Permit to Fly aircraft.
• Issue Type Acceptance Certificate, Certificates of Airworthiness, Permits to Fly and Export Certificates of Airworthiness.
• Assess and approve aircraft maintenance and reliability programmes.
• Assess the technical content of an operator’s Minimum Equipment List, to ensure compliance with requirements.
• Lead, co-ordinate (or support) the evaluation of design changes to aircraft to ensure conformity with type design and safety standards.
• Maintain the registers of civil aircraft for which ASSI is responsible.
• Oversee any necessary Personnel Licensing examinations required under OTAR Part 66.
• Investigate or provide technical support for the investigation of Occurrence Reports and make recommendations to reduce the risk of future occurrences.
• Conduct ramp checks of aircraft and operators.

Generic - Core accountabilities

• Participate in assessments of OTAAs to ensure that they are fit for purpose in-line with the ICAO PPQ and follow up to closure, deficiencies raised during the assessments.
• Consider applications for approvals, permissions, exemptions and deviations.
• Manage and undertake the research, production, and maintenance of the OTARs, OTACs and supporting technical procedures, coordinating with ASSI colleagues and OTAAs as appropriate.
• Identify shortcomings in legislation and promote rectification action through the provision of technical solutions to legal specialists for the development of The Orders.
• Undertake action, when required, in line with ASSI’s Enforcement policy and procedures.
• Application of SMS and QMS systems, with a proportionate risk-based approach.
• Investigate, or provide technical support for the investigation of, Occurrence Reports and make recommendations to reduce the risk of future occurrences.
• Develop and maintain policy for associated subjects.
• Review relevant ICAO State Letter proposals and respond on behalf of the OTs, resolving any conflicting views.
• Maintain compliance information for relevant ICAO Annexes and others as allocated.
• Work with the DCAs and staff of the OTAAs to ensure smooth, consistent and timely implementation of OTARs.
• Work with the Training Manager to design, plan and implement training and technical assistance for regulatory staff of ASSI and the Overseas Territories.
• Provide ad hoc support and advice to regulatory staff of the Overseas Territories.
• Undertake at the discretion of ASSI management, such tasks, outside the jobholder’s normal area of technical expertise, as the job may occasionally demand.
• Provide technical support to industry in order to ensure mitigating actions have been taken in regard to the investigation of Occurrence Reports.
• Represent Territories and ASSI at national and international forums in respect of the key responsibilities described above.

About You

• Significant relevant experience in aircraft maintenance or manufacturing industry, ideally with an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer’s Licence preferably including experience outside the UK.
• Regulatory experience of overseeing maintenance and continued airworthiness approvals, including SMS and QMS systems, with a proportionate risk-based approach.

Generic

• A detailed knowledge of international aviation regulatory requirements and the aircraft / aviation industry.
• Advanced knowledge of Information Technology namely Office 365 products especially Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.
• Adept at regularly using information and workflow management systems, and able to quickly grasp new applications as necessary.
• Ability to operate in a wide range of cultural business environments at all levels.
• Capable of using experience and making sound judgments, with an ability to think laterally to identify the wider implications of decisions making.
• Able to challenge information, propositions or assumptions, often of a deep technical nature and across a range of disciplines, affecting safety.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills, with the ability to deal tactfully, diplomatically and authoritatively with people at all levels.
• Cognisant of cultural diversity and able to exercise diplomacy.

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.

BPSS - To be vetted you must have the right to work in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

For more information on BPSS clearance please visit - BPSS clearance

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.

Inclusive Recruitment

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. As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Working With Us

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 between the ASSI office in Crawley and home working, being open to having a conversation about what works for you, with the understanding that all ASSI colleagues have a minimum of two mandatory office attendance days every quarter for quarterly staff meetings. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.