AI Engineer - Agentic and Automation in Crawley

Salary: £52,937 up to £62,000 dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

Security Level: SC

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

Base Location: Gatwick or Cardiff

We are the UK’s aviation regulator, recognised worldwide for our expertise and commitment to the highest standards of safety and innovation. Our activities are diverse, ranging from safety oversight to enabling the aviation industry to adapt to new technologies and challenges. As the aviation environment evolves, so too does the way we regulate. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is now harnessing the potential of Agentic AI and Automation to transform regulatory services, streamline processes, and deliver greater value to the public and industry.

The Role

The CAA is seeking an AI Engineer to join our Software Engineering function. This role will focus on designing, implementing, and orchestrating AI based systems across our operations, ensuring they are effective, explainable, and aligned with our regulatory responsibilities. You will help define how autonomous AI agents can support decision making, automate compliance processes, and enhance our regulatory services ensuring safety, accountability, and transparency remain at the forefront.

Key Responsibilities

• Agent Design and Deployment: Configure and deploy autonomous AI agents capable of reasoning, planning, and multi-step task execution.
• Automation & Workflow Orchestration: Use low code/no code platforms such as Microsoft Power Platform, Copilot Studio, and agentic AI frameworks to deliver business and regulatory automation solutions.
• Integration Expertise: Familiarity with Microsoft 365, Power Platform, Azure AI services, and APIs for connecting agents to enterprise systems.
• Responsible AI Delivery: Apply CAA’s responsible AI principles to ensure systems are safe, explainable, and compliant with ethical and legal standards.
• Integration with CAA Systems: Connect agents to Microsoft 365, enterprise applications like SharePoint, Dynamics 365, and regulatory databases to streamline information flows and automate reporting.
• Multi Agent Collaboration: Develop and test systems where groups of agents collaborate with each other and with human teams.
• Innovation & Horizon Scanning: Monitor emerging trends in autonomous AI and automation, providing recommendations on their relevance to aviation regulation.
• Supporting Innovation and Proofs of Concept: Support the design, testing and evaluation of AI driven automation proofs of concept, helping the CAA explore new technologies and assess their potential for wider adoption.
• Ensure Resilience: Work as part of a team to ensure business resilience and fix on fail capability of our portfolio of AI products.
• Knowledge Sharing: Act as a subject matter expert, supporting colleagues across the CAA to adopt and benefit from intelligent automation.
• Championing AI: Act as a point of expertise within the CAA, promoting the adoption of Agentic AI and automation, sharing knowledge across teams, and advocating for responsible and effective use of emerging technologies.

About You

You will have a background in AI, intelligent automation, or digital transformation, and a track record of applying emerging technologies to real world problems. You will bring curiosity, adaptability, and strong collaboration skills, with the ability to translate complex AI concepts into practical business and regulatory applications.

• Experience with agentic AI frameworks.
• Knowledge of low code/no code automation platforms such as Microsoft Power Platform.
• Familiarity with AI driven workflow orchestration.
• Ability to work across technical and nontechnical teams, with strong communication and presentation skills.
• Awareness of responsible AI frameworks, data ethics, and regulatory considerations.
• Understanding of data governance, secure handling of regulated data, and context/memory management in AI systems.
• Understanding of Microsoft Azure AI services and M365 Graph API integration.
• Experience with Microsoft 365 services, including Dataverse, SharePoint Online, Teams, Planner, and others.
• Previous experience of working in a regulatory environment.
• Experience with multi agent systems and reinforcement learning techniques.
• Experience with python or desire to learn.
• Familiarity with DevOps/DevSecOps approaches, particularly in Azure environments.

What Can We Offer You?

This is an exciting time to join the CAA. We are modernising our systems and processes, and you will have the opportunity to shape how artificial intelligence will help redefine regulatory practice in the aviation sector. We are a supportive, collaborative team that values innovation and professional growth. You will have the freedom to explore, test, and deliver solutions that make a tangible impact across the organisation and industry.

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. SC - To be vetted we will usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. For this role this will need to be 5 years. If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

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.

Relocation & Property

The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House (Our Gatwick Office) to new premises in a few years’ time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations. We will be moving to a new local home, up to a 15-mile radius of Aviation House, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers. We are now working with colleagues and visitors to understand what we need in our new office, before we start our property search. We will sell Aviation House and land, vacate the site and move to new premises, but we do not expect to move before 2028.

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, 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 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!

Our Values

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

Closing Date: Sunday 4th January 2026

Interview Date: W/C Monday 12th or 19th January 2026

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. No recruitment agencies please.