Policy Associate

Salary: Upto £35,000

Contract Type: Full Time Permanent

Location: Gatwick/Hybrid with an expectation of 2 days a week in office

Security Level: BPSS

Visa Restrictions: This position does not currently 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: This role will provide subject matter advice and technical support on policy matters related to innovative technologies in aviation such as Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL), Hydrogen. It will also support in the development of regulation, means of compliance and guidance material for these areas.  You will own specific policy items in the technical areas of Future Safety & Innovation (FS&I), supported by the policy lead or policy specialist and you will have the opportunity to participate in rule making and drafting means of compliance and guidance material, and will contribute by researching material to help draft regulations and guidance material. The role enables growth of the policy associate to develop their expertise in policy making for new innovative technologies in aviation.

Core Accountabilities

• Participate in policy development work such as research of technical topics, assisting in drafting of means of compliance and guidance material for innovative areas in aviation such as UAS, eVTOL, electric propulsion and Hydrogen.
• Ownership of specific parts of policy making in technical areas
• Provide support to policy specialists within their area of expertise.
• Development of policy documents, in line with policy and regulatory development work carried out by the policy team.
• Assisting the policy team with management of stakeholder working groups, such as the safety leadership group or advisory rulemaking committees.
• Adherence to CAA Regulatory and Management systems
• Support the policy team with management of technical queries from other teams, preparation of training material, consultation responses and drafting of policy positions to both internal and external stakeholders
• Manage and organise various materials and sharepoint documents for the policy team.

About You : This role would be ideally suited to an initial graduate level background in the technical area of aviation or equivalent industry , such as automotive, marine, rail, but we are open to all applicants who match the skills required for the role.  

Essential Criteria

• Experience or equivalent to experience or an Engineering degree, preferably areas in Electrical / Aerospace / Mechanical domains, or Sciences such as Physics or Mathematics.

• Completed Internship or thesis project in a technical area
• Basic knowledge in one or more of UAS, Aircraft, rotorcraft, engines
• Ability to research technical and academic material to derive content suitable for CAA rulemaking
• Basic knowledge of aviation regulation, ideally within the domain of innovative technologies.
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with internal colleagues and a range of external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills including written communications, with the ability to take technical material and turn it into plain and clear language.
• Skilled in the use of standard Microsoft products (Sharepoint, Word, Excel, Power Point)
• Work collaboratively with a wide team and other industry experts and able to manage periods of higher workload, prioritise work and meet deadlines.
• Logical and methodical approach to work with strong attention to detail

Desirable

• Proven ability to write effective technical guidance material for use by a general audience.
• Understand systems engineering and safety, reliability principles
• Knowledge of wider aviation matters, e.g. UK airspace, knowledge of relevant international rulesets.
• Experience within, or working closely with, a government organisation.

Additional Security 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. If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application. To be vetted you must have the right to work in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. For more information on BPSS clearance please visit - BPSS clearance

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:  5th March 2026

Interview Date: Mid March 2026 – In person Aviation House, Gatwick

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.

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.