Inspector ATS (Operations) in Guildford

Salary: Up to £61,000 plus a Market Related Supplement (up to £37,776) dependent upon qualifications and experience.

Contract Type: Full Time Permanent

Security Level: SC

Location: Manchester, Stirling, Gatwick, Hybrid – (at least two days a week away from home)

Visa Restrictions: This position does not (currently) offer visa sponsorship.

Closing Date: 15 Nov 2026

Interview Date: 25 Nov 2026 – In person Manchester

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 Role

The UK aviation sector depends on safe, resilient and effective Air Traffic Services. As an Inspector ATS (Operations), you will play a key role in assuring that Air Navigation Service Providers deliver services safely and in compliance with regulatory requirements. Working within the Airspace, Air Traffic Management Infrastructure (AATMI) function of the Safety and Airspace Regulation Group (SARG), you will lead oversight activities across a diverse portfolio of organisations ranging from major airport providers to smaller ATS units. Through audits, inspections, assessments and engagement with industry stakeholders, you will evaluate operational performance, organisational capability and safety management arrangements. This is an opportunity to apply your operational ATS experience in a regulatory environment where your expertise will directly influence aviation safety outcomes across the UK. You will assess compliance with UK and international requirements, evaluate organisational and personnel competence, scrutinise safety-related change, and provide proportionate regulatory intervention where required. As a recognised technical specialist, you will contribute to risk-based oversight programmes by analysing operational intelligence, identifying emerging risks and helping to shape regulatory priorities. You will work closely with colleagues across multidisciplinary teams, engaging with industry leaders, government stakeholders and international partners to support the CAA's mission of protecting the public and enabling safe aviation. This role offers significant variety, professional development opportunities and the chance to influence the future of Air Traffic Management within the UK aviation system.

Core Accountabilities

• Plan, lead and deliver audits, inspections and assurance activities in accordance with risk-based oversight principles and approved regulatory programmes.
• Act as the technical specialist for allocated organisations, providing operational insight to support Performance Based Oversight activities.
• Assess the competence and suitability of ATS personnel for the grant, validation, revalidation and renewal of licences, ratings and associated privileges.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of organisational governance, safety management systems, resilience arrangements and safety culture.
• Assess operational, technical and organisational changes to determine compliance with regulatory requirements and associated safety risks.
• Lead or support investigations into regulatory concerns, significant occurrences and emerging safety issues.
• Analyse operational and safety data to identify trends, risks and areas requiring regulatory attention.
• Build effective professional relationships with regulated organisations whilst maintaining regulatory independence and objectivity.
• Represent the CAA at industry meetings, working groups and stakeholder engagements.
• Contribute to regulatory policy development and continuous improvement initiatives across ATM oversight activities.
• Support the development of colleagues through coaching, mentoring and the delivery of inspector training programmes.
• Champion the CAA's values, professional standards and commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Travel: Frequent travel throughout the UK, including the Crown Dependencies, with occasional overseas travel.

About You

Essential Criteria:

• Operational ATS Expertise: You will bring significant operational experience from an Air Traffic Services environment and be able to demonstrate a strong understanding of operational safety, service provision and regulatory compliance.
• Significant operational experience within an ATS environment and hold or in exceptional circumstances have held an ATCO Licence.
• Experience applying operational procedures and safety requirements within a regulated aviation setting.
• Knowledge of Safety Management Systems and risk assessment methodologies.
• A thorough understanding of Air Traffic Services operations and associated regulatory requirements.
• Experience making proportionate, evidence-based decisions in safety-critical environments.

Regulatory and Technical Knowledge:

• Knowledge of UK ATM/ANS regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of relevant ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices.
• Understanding of ATS personnel licensing frameworks.
• An appreciation of modern performance-based and risk-based oversight approaches.

Communication and Influence:

• Communicate effectively with operational, technical and executive stakeholders.
• Influence organisations positively to improve safety and compliance outcomes.
• Prepare clear, concise and evidence-based reports.
• Gather, analyse and evaluate information from multiple sources.
• Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.

Personal Effectiveness:

• Manage competing priorities and work independently.
• Apply balanced judgement in complex operational environments.
• Understand both the safety and commercial realities faced by regulated organisations.
• Deliver high-quality outcomes within agreed timescales.

Desirable Experience:

• Experience conducting audits or inspections.
• Lead Auditor qualification or equivalent experience.
• Experience in root cause analysis and evidence-based investigations.
• Experience applying risk-based decision-making principles.
• Experience as an ATS Training Officer, Standards Manager or Training Manager.
• Current or previous Assessor endorsement.
• Hold or the ability to hold a Class 3 Medical.
• Current or previous OJTI endorsement.
• Human Factors qualifications or training.
• Safety Management qualifications or training.
• Previous experience within a regulatory authority.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to influence aviation safety at a national level and work alongside some of the UK's leading aviation professionals. You'll have the opportunity to:

• Contribute directly to the safety and resilience of UK Air Traffic Services.
• Work across a diverse portfolio of operational environments.
• Develop expertise in regulation, safety oversight and policy.
• Build relationships with senior industry leaders and stakeholders.
• Undertake varied and rewarding work with genuine public value.

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. 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 is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct. To help ensure transparency and protect the independence and reputation of the CAA, candidates invited to interview will be required to complete a Declaration of Interests form, disclosing any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest that could influence, or be seen to influence, their ability to perform the role objectively and impartially.

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. Find out more about the Disability Confident Scheme. 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. This role will usually spend on average, at least two days each week away from home, either attending a CAA office or conducting oversight activities at regulated organisations or other sites. Regular travel across the UK and Crown Dependencies is an integral part of the role and provides the opportunity to work directly with a wide variety of aviation stakeholders and operational environments.

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.