Inspecting Officer (Operations)

Salary: £43,000 to £45,000 per annum dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

Security Level: CTC

Location: Gatwick

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

Closing Date: Tuesday 17th November 2026

Interview Date: W/C Monday 30th November

Help Shape the Future of UK Aviation Safety

The UK Civil Aviation Authority is the aviation and aerospace regulator for the United Kingdom and is recognised internationally as a leader in aviation safety and regulation. We work at the heart of a dynamic and evolving industry, helping organisations deliver safe, compliant and efficient operations while supporting innovation and growth.

We are seeking experienced aviation professionals to join our Flight Operations team as Inspecting Officers.

This is a unique opportunity to apply your operational aviation experience in a role that directly influences aviation safety across the UK. Working with a diverse portfolio of commercial air transport, business aviation and specialised operations organisations, you will assess operational performance, regulatory compliance and safety effectiveness while supporting continuous improvement across the industry.

You will engage directly with Accountable Managers, nominated postholders, senior management teams and operational personnel, conducting audits, inspections and certification activities that contribute to maintaining confidence in the UK aviation system.

The Role

As an Inspecting Officer, you will:

• Lead and participate in audits and inspections of flight operations organisations.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of management systems, operational control arrangements, crew training programmes and safety performance.
• Review operations manuals, training systems, flight time limitation schemes and other operational processes.
• Assess corrective actions and monitor their effectiveness.
• Hold senior operational personnel accountable for managing safety and regulatory compliance.
• Deliver outcome-focused oversight using Performance Based Oversight principles.
• Support national and international regulatory activities.
• Provide specialist expertise in areas such as Operations and Crew Control, Training, Flight Time Limitations, Leasing or Management Systems.

Who We’re Looking For

We are particularly interested in candidates with significant operational aviation experience gained within:

• Commercial Air Transport operations.
• Business aviation.
• Military aviation.
• Specialised aviation operations.
• Aviation regulatory oversight environment.

Successful candidates will typically have experience in one or more of the following:

• Flight Operations Management.
• Operations Control or Crew Control.
• Flight Crew Training Management.
• Safety Management Systems.
• Compliance Monitoring.
• Aviation Auditing and Inspection.
• AOC Management.
• Flight Operations Quality Assurance.
• Regulatory Oversight Activities.

Ideal Candidate Profile

We welcome applications from professionals currently working as, or with experience equivalent to:

• Compliance Monitoring Manager.
• Aviation Quality or Compliance Auditor.
• Safety Manager.
• Safety Specialist.
• Operations Control Manager.
• Operations Controller.

Essential Skills and Experience

You will be able to demonstrate:

• Significant experience within an aviation operational environment.
• Experience conducting audits, inspections, assessments or compliance reviews.
• Strong knowledge of aviation safety principles and risk management.
• The ability to analyse complex operational information and make evidence-based decisions.
• Experience influencing and challenging senior stakeholders professionally and constructively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Sound judgement and a strong commitment to safety and continuous improvement.

Desirable Knowledge

Experience or knowledge of:

• UK Air Operations Regulations.
• UK Aircrew Regulations.
• ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices.
• Safety Management Systems.
• Performance Based Oversight.
• Aviation certification and approval processes.

What Makes This Role Different

This role offers the opportunity to:

• Influence safety outcomes across the UK aviation sector.
• Work directly with senior leaders from airlines, business aviation operators and specialised aviation organisations.
• Travel nationally and internationally as part of oversight activities.
• Develop expertise across a wide range of operational disciplines.
• Contribute to the future development of aviation regulation and oversight.

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 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

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.