Future Airspace - Beyond Visual Line Of Sight (BVLOS) Integration Lead

Salary: £68,000 – £78,000 - (dependent on experience)

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

Security Level: BPSS

Location: Gatwick – Hybrid

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

Closing Date: Friday 9th October 2026

Interview Date: w/c Monday 19th October 2026

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 

• Act as a technical lead supporting the safe integration of BVLOS operations within the UK aviation system. 

• Support the identification and resolution of technical, operational and regulatory barriers affecting BVLOS activity, working across a range of CAA teams and stakeholders. 

• Gather, assess and share operational learning from BVLOS activities and associated workstreams to inform future policy, regulatory and operational approaches. 

• Develop and maintain awareness of related programmes and activities across the CAA and industry, identifying opportunities to align work, share learning and support the safe development of future aviation capabilities. 

• Act as a source of expertise on airspace management, aviation operations, emerging technologies and integration challenges affecting future users of UK airspace. 

• Support the development of evidence-based recommendations through the assessment of operational data, stakeholder feedback and emerging trends. 

• Other tasks as directed by the BVLOS Facilitation Team Principal. 

Accountabilities 

• Support the safe integration of BVLOS operations and other emerging aviation activities within the UK aviation system. 

• Identify, assess and help address operational, technical and regulatory barriers affecting the development and delivery of BVLOS activities, trials and demonstrations. 

• Work with internal and external stakeholders to understand emerging operational concepts and identify opportunities to facilitate safe and proportionate implementation. 

• Develop evidence-based recommendations using relevant operational data, intelligence and stakeholder input to support future policy and regulatory development. 

• Build and maintain effective working relationships across the CAA to ensure that related policy, regulatory, safety, airspace and operational activities are appropriately coordinated. 

• Develop and maintain awareness of current and emerging BVLOS initiatives, identifying interdependencies, risks, opportunities and lessons that may support future regulatory approaches. 

• Actively liaise with Airspace Regulation and other relevant CAA teams regarding activities that may affect future airspace integration and BVLOS operations. 

• Act as a technical specialist member for relevant meetings, workshops, groups and industry forums. 

• Promote safe, equitable and proportionate access to airspace in support of wider Airspace Modernisation and Future Flight objectives. 

• Maintain an objective and evidence-based approach when engaging with industry, ensuring activities remain consistent with the CAA's regulatory responsibilities. 

Essential - The job holder will: 

• Have significant experience in aviation, airspace management, air traffic management, uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), BVLOS operations, aviation regulation, flight operations or a related operational aviation discipline. 

• Have substantial technical knowledge and experience relevant to the integration of aviation operations within the UK airspace environment. This may have been gained through airspace management, ATM/ATC operations, flight operations, UAS operations, BVLOS activity, aviation regulation or related disciplines. 

• Have a broad understanding of the UK aviation operating environment and the factors that influence the safe integration of new and existing airspace users. This may include airspace structures, airspace access principles, BVLOS operations, Detect and Avoid (DAA), SORA methodologies, air traffic management or related areas. 

• Be able to analyse complex technical, operational and regulatory issues and develop practical, evidence-based solutions. 

• Have experience of working within complex regulatory or operational environments, applying sound judgement where established policy, process or precedent may not exist. 

• Demonstrate the ability to identify connections, dependencies and opportunities across multiple workstreams and sources of information. 

• Be able to rapidly establish credibility with technical specialists, operators and regulatory colleagues, developing constructive and collaborative working relationships. 

• Be able to communicate complex technical, operational and regulatory information clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences. 

• Demonstrate the ability to provide constructive challenge, articulate evidence-based viewpoints and influence outcomes whilst maintaining positive and professional working relationships. 

• Demonstrate sound judgement and professionalism when operating in complex, evolving environments, balancing technical, operational and regulatory considerations while maintaining objectivity and credibility. 

• Have high levels of commitment, reliability and flexibility, and be an excellent team worker with sound interpersonal skills. 

• Be innovative and able to develop novel solutions based on expert knowledge and detailed understanding of aviation operational and regulatory principles. 

• Be able to work with minimum supervision, be proactive and possess strong time management skills to meet deadlines. 

• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, and good negotiating and influencing skills. 

• Possess good organisational skills and the ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplined team. 

• Have experience of MS Office packages, specifically Word, Excel and Outlook. 

Desirable - The job holder will: 

• Have a sound working knowledge of the UK Airspace Modernisation Strategy (AMS) and the Future of Flight action plan. 

• Demonstrate knowledge and experience in one or more specialist areas relevant to future airspace integration, such as BVLOS operations, UAS regulation, Detect and Avoid (DAA), SORA, airspace management, ATM operations, future flight technologies or Airspace Modernisation activities. 

• Hold a robust knowledge of the UK aviation industry supported by an understanding of key legislative factors influencing and determining the CAA's role as a regulator, including the Civil Aviation Act, Air Navigation Order, Rules of the Air Regulations, European legislation, Eurocontrol Convention and relevant MAA publications. 

• Understand the Airspace Change Process and how it may interact with Future Airspace and BVLOS-related activities. 

• Have a working knowledge of ICAO, Eurocontrol, EASA and other international institutions that may influence future airspace developments. 

• Demonstrate a working knowledge of the needs, opportunities and impacts associated with all airspace users, with particular knowledge of the growing uncrewed aircraft sector. 

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.

CTC - 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 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 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: Friday 9th October 2026

Interview Date: w/c Monday 19th October 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.