Inspecting Officer (Dangerous Goods)

Salary:  Up to £40,356 - (dependent on experience)

Contract Type:  Permanent – Full time

Location:  Gatwick – Hybrid

Visa Restrictions: This position does not 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.

The Role

To conduct oversight of Flight Operations entities, specifically organisations involved in the transport of dangerous goods, to ensure they are operating in a safe and competent manner and in compliance with the applicable regulatory requirements, industry standards and best practice.

Core Accountabilities

• Act as Lead Auditor during audits and inspections, conducting audits and inspections to ensure continuing competence of Flight Operations entities by assessing specialist areas such as management systems, flight, and cabin crew training, returned flight documentation and operations/training manuals.
• Conduct audits and inspections to ensure continuing competence of organisations within the dangerous goods supply chain such as Ground Handling Agents, Shippers, Freight Forwarders and Cargo Agents.
• Process Permissions, Approvals, Variations and Exemptions from the ICAO Technical Instructions for entities.
• Review and conduct audits of approved training providers to deliver dangerous goods training under the Training Approval Scheme.
• Review dangerous goods occurrence reports received from organisations involved in the transport of dangerous goods.
• Appraise, by audit and inspection, the suitability of applicants for the grant of an AOC.
• Consider remedial action to senior staff such as the Flight Operations Manager and communicate audit and inspection findings.
• Assess the suitability of corrective actions and conduct follow up audits and inspections to verify the effectiveness of corrective action.
• Provide information and advice to Inspecting Officer Leads and Flight Operations Managers on current issues.
• Assist in the training of inspecting staff.
• Undertake project work and other additional tasks, including participation in working groups as required.
• Deliver outcomes internationally to mitigate safety concerns or support IG/CAAi International contract delivery where appropriate.
• Provide technical knowledge and expertise in Dangerous Goods.

Enforcement Action

• 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.
•  Make decisions on whether to commission an investigation when a breach of aviation law is suspected or resulting from a recommendation from the IET.

Performance Based Regulation (PBR)

• Capture and share safety intelligence information and analysis from multiple internal and external sources.
• Understand and apply the principles of Performance Based Oversight (PBO) in accordance with Flight Operations business rules and the wider CAA approach to PBR.
• Deliver outcome-focused oversight, considering the statutory regulatory obligations, risk, and performance.

• Escalate risks as appropriate.
• Ensure Managers and senior colleagues are aware of their accountabilities for managing safety.

About You

Essential Minimum Criteria

• Aviation related degree or professional level qualification and/or experience of working in the aviation industry or regulatory environment.
• Experience in the transport of dangerous goods.
• Experience of aviation auditing techniques, safety management or oversight experience.
• 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.
• Able to confidently collaborate and influence with authority.
• Can skilfully prioritise and organise in a fluid and varied environment but with the ability to exercise initiative in planning for results.
• Confident and robust decision-maker, demonstrating initiative and confidence to seek guidance and approval of colleagues.
• An enquiring mind geared to the need to identifying failings and improvements to current processes and procedures together with a positive approach to discuss practical actions.

Desirable Criteria:

• Technical knowledge and expertise in the transport of Dangerous Goods by air.

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

Inclusivity

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and celebrate our diversity ensuring all are backgrounds included here at the CAA. As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview.

Our Benefits

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as:

• Flexible & hybrid working arrangements available
• 28 days annual leave + public holidays (additional 5 days leave purchase scheme)
• Generous pension scheme (Up to 12% employer contribution)
• Wellbeing Room at Gatwick
• Mental Health and Suicide First Aiders
• Employee Assistance Programme, talking therapies and neurodiversity support via Occupational Health & access to Headspace for colleagues and 5 dependents
• Free onsite gym at Gatwick or discounted gym membership for London
• EV charging points
• Employee Development courses internally and via Skillsoft

Our Values

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

Closing Date: Sunday 2nd November 2025

Interview Date: w/c Monday 17th November 2025

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.