At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical architecture and design for innovative digital services in aviation.
- Company: Join the UK's leading aviation and aerospace regulator, shaping the future of air travel.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to ethical standards and personal integrity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while working with cutting-edge technologies.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in cloud-based web applications, strong communication skills, and hands-on technical experience.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
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
We are looking for an experienced hands-on Technical Architect or Systems design focused Principal Engineer to provide technical leadership across a portfolio of digital services. This is a role that combines architecture, engineering, and delivery. You will work closely with software engineering teams, product managers, security specialists, and operational teams to design secure, reliable, and maintainable services that support the CAA's regulatory responsibilities. You will help shape technical direction across our Next.js, .NET and Azure estate whilst remaining actively involved in delivery. The role will be approximately 70% architecture, design, and technical leadership and 30% hands-on engineering, although this will vary depending on delivery priorities and the complexity of the work.
Technical architecture and leadership
- Define and maintain architecture principles, standards, and patterns across multiple CAA digital services.
- Produce solution designs and technical guidance that support secure, accessible, resilient, and supportable services.
- Work with Engineering leads, Product, and delivery teams to identify technical risks, dependencies, and opportunities early, balancing business priorities, technical debt, security requirements and operational needs to develop a pragmatic technical roadmap.
- Lead technical and architecture spikes and proof of concepts where complex or high-risk decisions require validation.
- Support hands-on prototyping of novel technical solutions to validate approaches before rollout.
- Review solution designs, code, and technical approaches to improve consistency and quality across teams, and work alongside developers to resolve complex engineering problems.
- Promote automation, modern engineering practices, and appropriate use of AI-assisted tooling within agreed CAA security, information management, and governance controls.
Working across teams
- Work with product, engineering, architecture, security, data, and operational teams to translate business requirements into elegant, scalable technical solutions.
- Communicate decisions, risks, and trade-offs clearly to technical and non-technical colleagues.
- Coach and mentor software engineers, helping develop software architecture, system design, and engineering capability across teams.
- Help engineers to grow and solve engineering blockers.
About You
- 5+ years of experience designing and delivering enterprise level cloud-based web applications and services, gained as a hands-on Technical Architect, Principal Engineer, Lead Engineer or in a similar senior technical role.
- Able to communicate complex technical issues clearly through concise documentation, diagrams, and constructive conversations with technical and non-technical colleagues.
- Technical skills and experience:
- Experience with React, Next.js including server-side rendering and web performance.
- Experience designing and building APIs, integrations and backend services using C# and .NET. Experience of messaging and event-driven patterns would be beneficial.
- Hands-on Azure experience, including application hosting, security, monitoring, networking, integration and platform services such as App Service, Functions, Azure SQL, Key Vault, API Management and Service Bus.
- Working on software designs and solution architecture to agreed standards.
- Able to make and explain architecture decisions based on business value, risk, security, maintainability, and operational needs, rather than pursuing an idealised technical solution.
- Experience with CI/CD, automated testing, observability, application security, accessibility, and the operation of live services.
- Experienced working in a regulated, public-sector, or safety-critical environment.
- Experienced modernising or replacing legacy applications whilst continuing to support live services.
- Experienced designing solutions that use AI, automation, or intelligent services appropriately and securely.
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.
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.
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.
Principal Developer / Technical Architect in Guildford employer: Civil Aviation Authority
The Civil Aviation Authority is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can make a significant impact on pension governance and strategy. With a strong focus on employee development, collaboration with leading external advisers, and a commitment to compliance and education, you'll find ample opportunities for growth and professional advancement. Located at the heart of the aviation sector, we foster a culture of innovation and inclusivity, making it a rewarding place to build your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Developer / Technical Architect in Guildford
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Civil Aviation Authority for a Principal Developer / Technical Architect. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Developer / Technical Architect in Guildford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Civil Aviation Authority, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Civil Aviation Authority, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Civil Aviation Authority
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Civil Aviation Authority.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Civil Aviation Authority. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Civil Aviation Authority love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
