Regulatory & Policy Specialist – Airworthiness

Regulatory & Policy Specialist – Airworthiness

(Known internally as Policy Specialist – Airworthiness

Salary: Up to £70,000 (inclusive of a Market Related Supplement)

Contract Type: 12-18 Months FTC

Security Level: BPSS

Location: Gatwick / Hybrid

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

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.

About the Role

The aviation landscape is constantly evolving. The policies designed to support compliance, provide oversight and regulate the industry must be continuously developed, reviewed and updated to remain relevant and ensure safety. It is the CAA’s responsibility to ensure that these policies are effective and produced in line with our core values and behaviours.

Your primary responsibility will be to ensure that aviation policies promote safe industrial practice, are fit for purpose and align with the CAA regulatory requirements while supporting the objectives of its stakeholders. You will lead policy development, improvement and implementation, providing regulatory oversight across all aspects of UK aviation policy. In addition, you will inform, initiate and contribute to continuous policy reviews and key projects in the rulemaking area. This includes driving legislative amendments from initiation through consultation, preparing instruction documents for drafting lawyers, and supporting implementation.

You will also provide specialist expertise either across a broad range of airworthiness domains or through deep, complex knowledge in a specific area of airworthiness. Furthermore, you will ensure that policies are proportionate, adhere to the Better Regulation Principles, are relevant and remain aligned with national and international regulations.

Core Accountabilities

• Design, develop and review both new and existing policies, by applying specialist knowledge and experience within airworthiness domains.
• Ensure all policies are developed using SMART principles, comply with the CAA regulatory standards, are consistent with other national regulations, fulfill the UK’s international obligations and reflect the CAA’s values and behaviours and remain practical and effective.
• Lead rulemaking activities, proposing amendments to aviation legislation, working in collaboration with subject matter experts in the specific airworthiness area.
• Provide advice and policy interpretation to support colleagues and other stakeholders.
• Engage with a broad group of internal and external partners.
• Develop and present proposals and guidance material and regularly engage with stakeholders by chairing policy review sessions.
• Drive the implementation of accepted AAIB Safety Recommendations to ensure timely delivery of intended safety outcomes.
• Deliver effective and recognised contributions to the development of national and international aviation policy, supporting wider SARG and Department for Transport objectives.
• Contribute to various working or study groups, as applicable.

About You

If you specialise in policy development or are looking to put your extensive aviation knowledge to good use, then this is an outstanding opportunity to consider. You will need to have specialist subject matter experience and knowledge in at least one airworthiness area, with a deep and proven understanding of technical aviation concepts in an airworthiness context. The right candidate will be an experienced aviation professional with the right attitude to provide effective solutions, supported by relevant qualifications or certifications.

Essential Criteria:

• Strong knowledge of relevant UK, European and global legislation, such as ICAO, FAA, EASA, and standards setting bodies such as BSi, CEN, LAA, BMAA and SAE, along with appropriate levels in PBO, SMS, RIA, HF, Better Regulation, risk assessment and project management.
• Ability to participate in multidiscipline teams within the UK and multinational teams in the international context.
• A proven ability to communicate effectively at all levels and to produce concise, unambiguous discussion papers for presentation at various bodies within the CAA and industry.
• Strong understanding of the following topics, Performance-Based Oversight, Safety Management Systems, Risk Assessments, Human Factors and Better Regulation.
• Able to demonstrate attention to detail, with an adaptable and flexible approach.
• Confidently prepare and present concise papers and policies to a broad group of stakeholders.
• Proactively establish core issues, whilst thinking methodically, and explain and influence regulatory and policy matters with authority to different audiences.
• Ability to influence and communicate effectively across all levels, both within the CAA and wider industry partners and be able to handle sensitive situations.
• Be a confident user of major IT applications.

Additional Security 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. If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

BPSS – To be vetted you must have the right to work in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. For more information on BPSS clearance please visit – BPSS clearance

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.

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: 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 – For more information please Click Here

Closing Date: 05 January 2026

Interview Date: Mid January 2026 in person Gatwick

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 for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies please.

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