UI/UX Designer

Salary: £52,143 up to £65,000 dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

Security Level: SC

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.

As aviation evolves, so too does the way we regulate. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is committed to delivering intuitive, user-centred digital services. By adopting and embracing the Government Digital Service framework, adapting the GOV.UK Design System to CAA standards, and implementing modern design practices, we are transforming how our customers interact with aviation regulation; making our digital services easier, simpler and quicker.

The Role

We are seeking a User Experience Designer to join our customer experience team. This is a pivotal role, where you’ll design and prototype services that align with GDS standards, ensuring accessibility, usability and inclusivity.

Working as part of an agile, multidisciplinary team, you will create wireframes, prototypes, and interactive designs, test them with real users, and refine them based on feedback and behavioural insights. You’ll use your technical skills in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to prototype solutions and present designs with GOV.UK components up to senior management and our customers.

As a champion for user centred design, you will have autonomy to influence decisions, inspire colleagues, and embed a culture of accessibility and continuous iteration across the organisation through coaching and driving best practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Apply the GOV.UK Design System and GDS prototyping tools to create digital services that meet the GDS Service Standard.
• Design wireframes, interactive prototypes, and mock-ups to communicate and test ideas.
• Interpret user feedback, research findings, and behavioural insights to refine designs continuously.
• Ensure all services meet WCAG 2.2 AA accessibility standards (or latest version).
• Use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build and validate functional prototypes.
• Collaborate with researchers, developers, testers, and product managers to co-design solutions.
• Present and explain design decisions to senior leaders and non-technical audiences.
• Contribute to GDS service assessments and ensure outputs meet regulatory needs.

About You

You are a skilled UX Designer with a passion for creating accessible, UX driven services. You combine your creativity and technical ability with strong communication skills, enabling you to influence decisions and inspire colleagues across disciplines to think differently about UX and look for ways to improve their own thinking.

Essential Skills

• Significant UX design experience in an agile, multidisciplinary environment.
• Demonstrable application of GDS frameworks, GOV.UK Design System, and prototyping tools.
• Expertise in wireframing, prototyping, and interaction design.
• Technical capability in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Proficiency with design tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch.
• Understanding of WCAG 2.2 AA accessibility standards and inclusive design.
• Evidence of using user research and analytics to inform iterative design.
• Ability to communicate effectively and influence stakeholders at all levels.

Desirable Skills

• Experience working in a regulated environment, Civil Service, or aviation industry.
• Relevant qualifications in UX design, interaction design, digital design, computer science, or HCI (e.g. BCS UX Foundation, UX Design Institute, NNG UX Certification etc).
• Previous experience working alongside, or as part of, a development team.
• Awareness of emerging tools, methods, and technologies in digital service design.

What Can We Offer You?

This is an exciting opportunity to shape digital services that impact millions of people. You will be part of a supportive, forward-looking team with the freedom to innovate and deliver solutions that make a real difference.

We value continuous learning and professional growth, offering you the chance to shape the future of digital service design in public service.

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.

SC - 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 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 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.

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: Sunday 28th December 2025

Interview Date: W/C Monday 5th January 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.