Technical Strategy Specialist

Salary: £61,000 up to £66,000 dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time

Security Level: CTC

Location: London or Gatwick (8 days in the office per month).

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 our field. We enable the aviation industry to innovate and meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The Role

The CAA are looking for an AI technical specialist to develop our approach to regulating the safe use of AI in aviation. This is an exciting and unique opportunity to help shape a rapidly evolving and potentially transformational aspect of our regulatory work.

Reporting to the Technical Strategy Portfolio Manager, you will work with industry and across the Safety and Airspace Regulation Group (SARG) to define a proportionate approach to AI regulation, and wider colleagues across the CAA to resource and implement this approach. The role will require significant interaction with industry representatives and aviation specialists across the CAA, blending an understanding of AI and aviation with an ability to coordinate activities and get things done. You will also build relationships with overseas aviation regulators to understand and influence approaches being taken elsewhere.

Core Accountabilities

• Define our regulatory needs to deliver our mission to protect people and enable aerospace, working with teams across SARG to iterate and implement our approaches.
• Work with AI Strategy and wider CAA colleagues to ensure our work dovetails to the CAA AI Strategy and it’s implementation
• Clarify where AI usage may be acceptable through existing our existing regulatory approach, and where we may need regulatory change to enable its safe use.
• Escalate significant safety matters in accordance with the CAA Regulatory Safety Management System (RSMS).
• Contribute to research on AI use within aviation,
• Represent the CAA in committees and working groups, internally and externally, nationally and internationally.
• Liaise with other regulators to share approaches to regulating AI in aviation.
• Secretariat AI governance across SARG to keep relevant teams up to date on progress.

About You

Essential

• Knowledge of AI and its application to various sectors of the economy
• Engineering degree / equivalent demonstratable industry or technical experience.
• Ability to deliver high-quality projects collaboratively across teams
• Ability to understand specialist issues and modulate technical views to account for wider business and political considerations.
• Confident communicator at all levels, having the ability to conduct technical conversation and engage with all stakeholders.
• Perform report writing and co-ordination of reports in support of day-to-day role.

Desirable

• Ability to work on complex projects involving new and innovative technology
• Regulatory knowledge –the ability to understand national and international aviation regulations and standard and the ability to interpret and apply the regulators requirements to design and certification
• Risk management – strong analytical skills to identify potential hazards in new technologies and understand effective safety measures
• Problem solving – creative and strategic thinking to develop innovative solutions to safety and design challenges and ability to analyse problems, identify root cause and implement effective solutions.
• Understanding of aviation system
• Project management

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.

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 CTC and SC clearance please visit - Vetting explained - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

For more information on BPSS clearance please visit - BPSS clearance

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: 4th May 2026

Interview Date: 13th and 15th May 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.