UTM Technical Lead - (Systems)

Salary Range: Up to £70,000 Subject to experience

Contract: Full Time Permanent

Location: Gatwick / Hybrid

Visa: This role currently does NOT support visa sponsorship

Security level: BPSS

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.

You will be instrumental in shaping the skies of tomorrow. It is a chance to be part of a groundbreaking journey in aviation. If you are seeking a career that combines innovation, impact, and the thrill of progress, then join our team - where each member is a catalyst for change, in an environment that thrives on collaboration and visionary thinking.

UTM is a key element of the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA’s) Airspace Modernisation Strategy and Future of Flight Action Plan. It is a maturing concept that this role will help drive forward within the UK aviation system, and is a globally harmonised set of principles, services, and technologies designed to enable the safe, efficient, and secure management of unmanned aircraft operations. UTM includes capabilities such as registration, identification and tracking, communications systems, geofencing-like functions, deconfliction and separation management, contingency planning, and organisational approval processes for UTM Service Providers (UTMSPs). It is also an essential component of achieving the UK's ambition of integrated BVLOS operations and a part of Air Traffic Management (ATM).

This role will focus on resolving target technical challenges related to UTM and its implementation into the UK airspace system, with a particular focus on working with industry to understand the UTM systems, heading towards eventual assessment and approval of such systems.

Responsibilities:

• Prepare and input into technical artefacts where required to progress the technical understanding of UTM.
• Work with and review technical artefacts created by external parties where necessary, with the ultimate end goal of assessment and approval of systems.
• Work cohesively and collaboratively with other dependent streams of work such as Electronic Conspicuity (EC), Detect and Avoid (DAA) and System Wide Information Management (SWIM) to determine the role UTM plays within each workstream and map these technical dependencies in detail.
• Work cohesively with other teams working on the broader UTM integration such as policy and legislative teams.
• Resolve specific day to day technical challenges related to UTM and wider data management in the lower airspace, as directed by the line manager.

About you:

• Working data and systems knowledge of at least one of the following: Uncrewed aviation systems, such as unmanned aerial systems (UAS), unmanned traffic management (UTM) or DAA; Traditional aviation systems, such as systems used in air traffic management (ATM) or air navigation services (ANS) or communications/navigation/surveillance and spectrum (CNSS).
• Software engineering concepts in major systems, or experience as a solutions or systems architect.
• Able to rapidly establish personal credibility with technical specialists and develop constructive relationships, with effective written and verbal communication across stakeholders.
• Comfortable operating in a new and unknown environment.
• Constructively challenge current thinking, present options to facilitate decision making.
• Committed, reliable, flexible, an excellent team worker, and able to work independently.
• Good organisational skills and ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplined team.
• Experience of MS Office packages (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Delivered and/or worked in a Service Oriented Architecture environment.
• Designing, testing, implementing solutions in the aviation system.
• Experience in the drone industry as an operator or service provider within UTM/ATM systems.
• Knowledge of Cyber Security.
• Knowledge of the CAA and UK aviation and aerospace industry, with understanding of key legislative factors influencing the CAA’s role as an airspace regulator.
• Experience of working in a complex delivery environment.

Additional Security Information:

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or nationally protected information. Post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance. If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application. To be vetted you must have the right to work in the UK.

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 a reasonable adjustment, please let us know.

Working With Us:

We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together and may involve activities outside the day-to-day role to develop and grow your career. We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible patterns; we are open to discussing what works for you. We offer benefits such as flexible working, 28 days annual leave, a 5-day leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and more.

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

Closing Date: 22 April 2026

Interview Date: Week Commencing 4 May 2026

Note: 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. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications. Please submit your application as early as possible.