Chief Engineer Space

Salary: Up to £105,000 per annum dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

Security Level: SC

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

Please note that both a CV and a cover letter are required for any application detailing how you meet the person specification for the role.

Within your covering letter, please set out the reasons you feel you are well suited to this position as well as including your personal role in four examples in your recent career;

• Leading a team of engineers through a period of significant change while maintaining morale, technical excellence and delivery against business targets
• Communicating a technical engineering challenge or issue across your own organisation as well as external partners, which could include government, regulators, investors or similar
• Driving technical excellence in your organisation when as Chief Engineer you are unlikely to be the subject matter expert across the range of innovative technologies which your teams will be working on
• How do you maintain safety/resilience quality when you are delivering a project with incredibly tight schedules as well as significant senior/political/investor oversight?

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

Reporting to the Head of UK Space Regulation, the post holder will oversee the Space Engineering function undertaking engineering assurance, assessment and analysis of all aspects of space activity under the Space Industry Act (SIA), Outer Space Act (OSA) and Air Navigation Order (ANO) permissions. This role covers and leads the functions of engineering, safety and environment (ESE) specialisms for space..

To lead, support and mentor the technical specialist team leads (Band 4) across engineering, safety, and environment, and their contribution to the functions of applications, licencing, and monitoring.

Core Accountabilities

• Lead the strategic development of ESE assessment, assurance and analysis practice, under the SIA, OSA requirements and ANO permissions
• Lead and develop the CAA’s Space ESE regulation function in accordance with the principles of safety, security and sustainability, ensuring ESE services are both effective and proportionate to enable an emerging UK Space industry.
• Engage with the UK and International Space industry and prospective operators on matters of Space engineering practice and requirements, as part of wider UK Space Regulation activities and to develop the expertise of the ESE function
• Ensure Space engineering activity is compatible with CAA governance and safety accountability requirements for Space Regulation.
• Provide leadership and oversight to the team undertaking ESE analysis functions under the SIA, OSA and ANO permissions.
• Provide technical and regulatory leadership and oversight
• Liaising, as necessary, with legal and safety specialists across the CAA and UK Space Regulation.
• Lead the development of expert knowledge and understanding in the operation of launch vehicles, ranges and spaceports operating from/in the UK (and international comparators). 
• Lead the function in the delivery of impartial guidance on the operation of launch vehicles, systems and associated infrastructure from/in the UK.
• Working with the Head of Space Regulatory Policy, lead and coordinate the ESE function contribution to the development of guidance material that will provide instruction to future UK launch operators and range service providers.
• Provide leadership to the ESE function to deliver the tools, including software development, required for future licensing and monitoring activities, including leading the function’s building of capability in the use of current simulation tools.
• Define key Research and Development activities to be undertaken by the ESE function.
• Lead the establishment of a software development lifecycle model for in-house risk tools, including implementation, ongoing maintenance and quality assurance.
• Coordinate the ESE team input to licence activities, in conjunction with the Head of Applications including development of any relevant ESE conditions.
• Coordinate ESE team input to compliance and monitoring activities, in conjunction with the Head of Operations, in accordance with licence terms and conditions.
• Liaise with Governments of other Member States on space ESE activity including, launch and liability issues.
• Provide briefs to the Head of UK Space Regulation, SARG and CAA regulatory governance groups on relevant regulatory issues.
• Represent the Space ESE function at events and meetings with sector, government and internationally as appropriate.
• Responsibility for the forecasting and financial performance within the control of the ESE unit, including TRE, training etc, working with the BDM team.

About You

Essential

• Experience of leading an engineering/safety/environmental and/or regulatory function.
• Experience and demonstrable ability in leadership of business unit or function, ability to set vision and influence others at senior leadership level at cross-organisational level.
• Advanced communication and influencing skills, able to deal with licensees with tact and diplomacy in all circumstances, including monitoring activity.
• Strong presentation skills, ability to communicate technical messages in simple terms to be understood by both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Degree level knowledge of an engineering, scientific or mathematical discipline, or equivalent science based/engineering experience.
• Strong technical background, with demonstrated experience in the design and/or delivery of Space hardware, Space tooling software or other Space related development activity.
• Ability to interpret and comply with statutory requirements.
• Proven success in the use of management systems, business planning, performance management monitoring (safety and business), risk assessment and mitigation, training development and the management of change.
• Problem solving ability with an excellent appreciation of the issues and the practicality of the decisions being taken.
• An excellent set of interpersonal skills suitable and appropriate to work as part of a team and to respond quickly, but calmly and correctly, when sudden needs arise.
• Polite, empathetic and tactful manner.
• A skilful organiser and an ability to exercise initiative in planning for results.
• A robust decision-maker.
• An enquiring mind geared to the need to identifying failings and improvements to current processes and procedures together with a positive approach to recommend practical actions.
• An ability to prioritise work and use initiative to deal with unusual requests or situations.
• Strong analytical and technical skills.
• Ability to gather and interpret complex information from a variety of sources.
• Proven ability to work with tight deadlines.
• Proven experience of stakeholder engagement, preferably across government and industry/academia.
• Experience or knowledge of UK / International Space industry and/or activities.

Desirable

• An advanced university degree at PhD level or equivalent experience in an engineering, scientific or mathematical discipline, ideally in the field of launch vehicles, spacecraft, launch systems related topics.
• Fundamental and detailed knowledge of the design of spacecraft or launch vehicles including identification of major components, performance (specifically propulsion systems, GNC/AOCS) and architectures used by major global suppliers.

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.

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

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.

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: Sunday 31st May 2026

Interview Date: W/C Monday 15th or 22nd June 2026

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