UI/UX Designer

Salary: £52,143 to £65,000 (depending on experience)

Contract Type: Permanent

Security Level: SC

Location: Gatwick – Hybrid

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

Closing Date: Friday 18th September 2026

Screening Calls: From w/c 21st September 2026

Interview Date: w/c Monday 5th October 2026

Please note that both a CV and a cover letter are required for any application detailing how you meet the person specification for the role as well as answering the below questions:

What attracts you to this role?

How does your experience and approach prepare you to succeed in this role?

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 Interface & Experience - UI/UX 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.

The UI/UX Designer will be working as part of an agile, multidisciplinary team, you will create wireframes, user flows, prototypes and interaction designs, test them with real users, and refine them based on feedback and behavioural insights.

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

• Use the GOV.UK Design System and GDS prototyping tools to create intuitive, accessible digital services that align with the GDS Service Standard and user needs.
• Design wireframes, prototypes and user journeys to communicate and validate ideas.
• Use research findings, user feedback and analytics to iteratively improve designs.
• Ensure services are accessible and inclusive, meeting WCAG 2.2 AA standards.
• Work iteratively within agile, multidisciplinary teams to continuously improve services.
• Collaboration with researchers, developers, testers, and product managers.
• Present, justify and build support for design decisions across diverse stakeholders.
• Contribute design evidence for successful GDS service assessments.

About You

You are a skilled UI/UX Designer with a passion for creating accessible, user-centred digital services. You combine your creativity, design expertise and strong communication skills, enabling you to influence decisions and inspire colleagues across disciplines to think differently about UI/UX and look for ways to improve their own thinking.

Essential Skills

• Proven UI/UX design experience in agile, multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience applying GDS standards, the GOV.UK Design System and prototyping tools.
• Expertise in wireframing, prototyping, and interaction design.
• Working knowledge of HTML, CSS and JavaScript for creating and adapting interactive prototypes.
• Proficiency with design tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar.
• 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.
• Previous experience working alongside, or as part of, a development team.
• Experience facilitating workshops and collaborative design activities.
• Experience championing UI/UX best practices, tools and methodologies to drive continuous improvement.

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 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

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

Closing Date: Friday 18th September 2026

Screening Calls: From w/c 21st September 2026

Interview Date: w/c Monday 5th October 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.