CNS Policy Specialist in Guildford

Salary: £60,000 - £69,524 + (£18,551 Market Related Supplement for qualified individuals)

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

Security Level: BPSS

Location: Gatwick – Hybrid

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

Closing Date: Friday 27th November 2026

Interview Date: w/c Monday 7th December 2026

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace 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 CNS Engineering Policy Specialist post will provide generic ATS engineering expertise and enable the development of rulemaking activities, the policy framework and detailed technical requirements for CNS and ATM systems. The role will also be responsible for developing Acceptable Mean of Compliance (AMC) and Guidance Material (GM). The role will be responsible for ensuring rule making requirements are efficiently progressed following appropriate procedures to make sure that regulatory policies align to our better regulation principles. The scope will include traditional CNS systems, including aerodrome support system (Recorders, IRVR, AGL), as well as emerging technology, taking them from trials and development, to approved operation service. This will ensure interoperability and regulatory conformity will be smooth during the transition into operation service.

About You

Minimum essential requirements for the role:

• Demonstrate a detail knowledge of current and future CNS (Communication, Navigation and Surveillance) technologies and Aerodromes support systems.
• Demonstrate a broad knowledge of applicable aviation related regulatory frameworks.
• Practical experience of the provision of ATM Services or Systems in accordance with a Safety Management System.
• Be able to work on your own initiative with minimal guidance and have high levels of commitment, reliability, and flexibility, whilst being a great teammate.
• Possess effective communication skills, both written and oral, that will enable you to engage with and influence partners at all levels throughout the CAA and in industry.
• A problem solver who can listen, consider, and be open-minded.
• Able to take a measured and pragmatic view that is open to modernisation and innovation concepts, whilst ensuring a strong focus on maintaining or improving the safety and efficiency of the UK’s airspace environment.
• The post holder will have a degree in an engineering discipline relevant to Air Traffic Engineering (ATE), and/or will have substantial practical experience of ATE provision in the UK.
• The post holder will have a clear understanding of the contribution of Air Traffic Engineering to the wider context of service provision.
• An awareness of new and innovative ATM technologies such as remote towers, detect and avoid systems and cloud computing.
• Have an understanding of the future ATM landscape required to support future of flight, including AAM and RPAS.

Desirable skills for the role:

• A Chartered Engineer.
• The post holder will have a detailed understanding of the safety regulatory requirements associated with the planning, provision and operation of ATM systems and services in the UK.
• A detailed knowledge of the following documents is required:
• UK (EU) Reg No 2017/373: Common Requirements for providers of air traffic management/air navigation services and other air traffic network functions and their oversight.
• UK (EU) Reg 552/2004 The Interoperability Regulation as amended by UK (EU) Reg 1070/2009.
• CAP670/CAP760/CAP452 regulatory knowledge.
• Relevant sections of CAP413 and the UK Air Navigation Order.
• A proven ability to articulate complex technical topics to a broad audience.
• Obtain a broad engineering and technical background and an ability to self-develop and learn about new technical concepts.
• An appreciation of international policy requirements and recognised best practices developed by organisations such as ICAO and Eurocontrol, ensuring that local requirements can be traced to international regulations.

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.

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 committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome applications from all backgrounds. As a Disability Confident employer, candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be guaranteed an interview. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Use of Artificial Intelligence by candidates in the CAA recruitment process

We recognise that many of our candidates find Artificial Intelligence to be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected on that basis.

Working With Us

Explore What We Offer section on our careers website to find out about our benefits and how we support 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. No recruitment agencies please.