Airworthiness Surveyor (General Aviation)

Airworthiness Surveyor – General Aviation (5606)

Salary: Upto £72,000 plus a Market Related Supplement dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Full Time Permanent

Security Level:CTC

Location: Manchester, Stirling, Gatwick, Hybrid

Visa Restrictions: This position does not currently offer visa sponsorship

Closing Date: 20th October 2026

Interview Date: WC 02 November 2026 in person

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 seeking two Airworthiness (general aviation) Surveyors to join our expanding team.

The GA Unit is responsible for the initial certification, continued and continuing airworthiness of approximately 18,000 GA aircraft (balloons, sailplanes, gyrocopters, light aircraft (non-Complex aeroplanes) and helicopters (non-complex) regulated under both UK Part-21 and non-Part-21 (Annex I).

The following statements apply to this scope of work.

The Principal Airworthiness Surveyor is primarily responsible for ensuring:

• All initial airworthiness applications requiring authorisation from CAA are issued following adequate assessment of safety risk and compliance with regulations.
• All planned oversight of Maintenance and Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisations satisfies regulatory requirements whilst using Performance Based Oversight (PBO) principles to target risk effectively and efficiently,
• All Continued Airworthiness issues and other unplanned oversight (Whistleblowers, MOR’s, in-service issues) are effectively risk assessed, managed, and escalated in a timely way (where necessary),
• All associated activities are clearly identified and targeted to risk as well as compliance,
• Human Factors considerations are central to risk management decisions.

As an Airworthiness Surveyor (GA), you will be responsible for assisting the Principal Airworthiness Surveyor (GA) in achieving the safety accountabilities of the GA Unit in support of the overall CAA business plan as it relates to airworthiness and supporting the wider cross-CAA Airworthiness team, specifically in establishing and delivering the UK’s ICAO Airworthiness Inspection responsibilities.

Importantly, the role of GA Surveyors differs from those overseeing Large Commercial Aircraft. Large Commercial Aircraft are managed and maintained by professional organisations, generally with adequate resource and a good understanding of the regulatory framework.  Organisations that manage and maintain GA aircraft often have limited resource and a basic understanding of the requirement material. Owners and Operators look to the CAA as a technically competent regulator and you will be expected to educate the stakeholders in line with the CAA policy of continuous improvement.

Specific to GA you will be required to represent the Authority, at a technical level, in engagement with key stakeholders from Government and parliamentary groups, manufacturers, sporting organisations and influential individuals to deliver the wider CAA strategy aimed at supporting, educating and championing General Aviation in the UK. You will often be required to engage with these stakeholders at CEO / Chief Engineer level but must also be able to engage directly with individuals who design, build, fly and maintain aircraft to ensure safety standards are understood and implemented

Core Accountabilities

The role of Airworthiness Surveyor (GA) will have the following core accountabilities:

Personal Accountabilities

• Promote a safety and learning culture that is risk-based and satisfies our basic statutory and international obligations including assurance of compliance.
• Act in accordance with the CAA’s HR policies, applying our values and behaviour policies in their day-to-day role.
• Actively contributing to Personal Development Conversations, including future personal development and progression opportunities.
• Creating time to learn and develop.
• Ensure that all recommendations and decisions are proportionate to the needs and safety expectations of the non-commercial / non-complex sector, are consistent with extant regulatory policy (using objective risk assessment techniques as necessary) and are recorded in a timely and accurate manner using designated CAA systems including Q-Pulse.
• Ensure proportionate and timely action is taken if and where safety standards and performance are found to be unacceptable, in respect of aircraft owners, organisations and individuals.
• Represent the CAA’s perspective on continuing airworthiness and maintenance issues.in decision-making committees and working groups internally and externally, nationally and internationally.
• Maintain appropriate expertise and provide a source of expert advice to CAA colleagues and stakeholders as required.
• Identify and coordinate research into areas of significant GA airworthiness concern.
• Provide clarification to stakeholders with regard to existing requirements and contribute to the development of new ones to cover new technology, novel applications of existing technology, and novel proposals for compliance demonstration.

Airworthiness Accountabilities (Survey)

• Perform Aircraft Surveys (physical/documentary) to verify conformity with the appropriate or UK requirements for C of A and Permit to Fly aircraft. Issue safety certificates on behalf of the CAA (CofA, PtF, ARC);
• Ensure aircraft in-service defects are investigated and all necessary action taken to maintain safety standards. Take direct airworthiness safety intervention measures where necessary including in-service difficulties / incidents and accidents to ensure the continued safety of participants and third parties;
• Identify, categorise and share safety-relevant intelligence (e.g. occurrence reporting or Whistleblowing) to deliver oversight which considers statutory compliance obligations, just culture, risk and performance with a safety outcome focus. Escalate to the appropriate level within SARG risks which may lead to enforcement action, either on a regulatory or criminal basis;
• Evaluation, by physical survey, of aircraft, engines, propellers, equipment and components, or their modifications, to establish compliance with airworthiness requirements;
• Undertake type liaison responsibilities on aircraft and make recommendations as appropriate to colleagues inside and outside CAA (including other NAA’s) to ensure continued and continuing airworthiness standards are met. 

Airworthiness Accountabilities (Approved organisations)

• Perform initial assessment and continued oversight of GA organisations in accordance with National and International requirements (Part 21, Part-145, Part ML, Part-CAO, BCAR A8-1, A8-9, A8-21, A8-23, A8-24, A8-25, A8-26). Provide detailed recommendations for organisation approvals and variations;
• Perform initial assessment and continued oversight of the GA elements of organisations managed by SARG Airworthiness in accordance with National and International requirements (Part 21, Part-145, Part-CAO, A8-21). Provide detailed recommendations for organisation approvals and variations;
• To audit the performance of approved Organisations to assess their compliance with the relevant regulations and to do so in line with performance-based regulation (PBR) principles;
• In relation to organisation oversight activities, consider all enforcement options available and highlight issues or concerns that might lead to any level of enforcement activity, either on a regulatory or criminal basis, through line management, as appropriate;
• Through line management, be responsible for decision-making on whether to commission an investigation when a breach of aviation law is suspected or resulting from a recommendation from the CAA’s Investigation and Enforcement team (IET);
• Capture and readily share safety-relevant intelligence, information and analysis from multiple internal and external sources with all CAA groups;
• Understand and apply principles of Performance Based Oversight in accordance with the Entity Performance Tool (EPT) process and consistent with the wider CAA approach to Performance Based Regulation;
• Deliver outcome-focused oversight which considers statutory compliance obligations, risk and performance with a safety-outcome focus. Escalate risks to the appropriate level within SARG;

About You

Essential:

• Engineering qualification, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer’s License or equivalent experience.
• Proven expert and detailed knowledge of the functioning and management of the aviation industry preferably gained by working in an aeronautically related engineering discipline.
• Proven expert and detailed knowledge of the functioning of aviation regulation gained through relevant experience within an Airworthiness Authority or Approved Organisation.
• Proven ability to monitor, guide and control technical decisions on a wide range of major safety issues.
• Able to operate in various cultural business environments at all levels.
• Capable of using experience and sound judgments.
• Ability to think laterally to identify the wider implications.
• Ability to cope concurrently with high number of widely differing problems, with the appropriate level of input.
• Ability to understand specialist issues and modulate technical views to account for wider business and political considerations.
• Able to challenge information, propositions or assumptions affecting safety, including those of a deep technical nature, across a range of disciplines.
• Capable of making timely decisions.
• Able to decide when enough information is available to make a decision affecting safety.
• Ability to identify when to escalate issues to their Line Manager and others as appropriate.
• Confident communicator at all levels, having the ability to conduct technical conversation and engage with all stakeholders.
• Perform report writing and co-ordination of reports in support of day to day role.
• Capable to use multiple IT systems and infrastructure in order to fulfil the objectives of their day to day role.
• Maintains exemplary behaviours in line with the CAA’s core values.

Desirable:

Applications where candidates have Production and Design backgrounds would also be considered

Travel within the UK and wider afield dependent on business activities will be required and the ability to travel to remote locations within the UK.

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 3 years.

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

For more information on CTC and SC clearance please visit - Vetting explained - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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.

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here

Closing Date: 20th October 2026

Interview Date: WC 02 November 2026 in person

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.