UTM Technical Lead - (Systems)

Job Title: UTM - Technical Lead (Systems)

Salary Range: Up to £70,000 Subject to experience

Contract: Full Time Permanent

Location: Gatwick / Hybrid

Visa: This role currently does NOT support visa sponsorship

Security level: BPSS

Please include a cover letter with your application.

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 

You'll be instrumental in shaping the skies of tomorrow. It's more than a role; it's a chance to be part of a groundbreaking journey in aviation. If you're seeking a career that combines innovation, impact, and the thrill of progress, then join our team - where each member is a catalyst for change, in an environment that thrives on collaboration and visionary thinking.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management (UTM) is a key element of the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA’s) Airspace Modernisation Strategy and Future of Flight Action Plan.  

UTM is a maturing concept that this role will help drive forward within the UK aviation system, and is a globally harmonised set of principles, services, and technologies designed to enable the safe, efficient, and secure management of unmanned aircraft operations.

UTM can be thought of as a framework that includes capabilities such as registration, identification and tracking, communications systems, geofencing-like functions, deconfliction and separation management, contingency planning, and organizational approval processes for UTM Service Providers (UTMSPs). It is also an essential component of achieving the UKs ambition of integrated Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, at scale, and is an essential and integral component part of Air Traffic Management (ATM).

This role will focus on resolving target technical challenges related to UTM and its implementation into the UK airspace system, with a particular focus on working with industry to understand the UTM systems, heading towards eventual assessment and approval of such systems.

The Role’s responsibilities include:

• Prepare and input into technical artefacts where required to progress the technical understanding of UTM. Work with and review technical artefacts created by external parties where necessary, with the ultimate end goal of assessment and approval of systems.
• Work cohesively and collaboratively with other dependent streams of work such as Electronic Conspicuity (EC), Detect and Avoid (DAA) and System Wide Information Management (SWIM) to determine the role UTM plays within each workstream and map these technical dependencies connections in details.
• Work cohesively with other teams working on the broader UTM integration such as policy and legislative teams. 
• Resolve specific day to day technical challenges related to UTM and wider data management in the lower airspace, as directed by the line manager. 

About you:

Essential Criteria

Working data and systems knowledge of at least one of the following:

• Uncrewed aviation systems, such as unmanned arial systems (UAS), unmanned traffic management (UTM) or detect and avoid (DAA)
• Traditional aviation systems, such as systems used in air traffic management (ATM) or air navigation services (ANS) or comms navigation surveillance and spectrum (CNSS)
• Software Engineering concepts in major systems, or having experience as a solutions or systems architect
• Able to rapidly establish personal credibility with technical specialists and develop constructive relationships, with effective communication skills both written and oral in engaging with a broad range of stakeholders.
• Comfortable operating in a new and unknown environment.
• Constructively challenge current thinking, present options in a way that facilitates decision making.
• Have a committed, reliable, flexible approach, and be an excellent team worker, whilst also being comfortable working independently
• Possess good organisational skills and the ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplined team.
• Have experience of MS Office packages specifically Word, Excel and Outlook.

Desirable

• Delivered and/or worked in a Service Oriented Architecture environment.
• Designing, testing, implementing solutions in the aviation system.
• Working within the drone industry as an operator, service provider within UTM/ ATM systems.
• Knowledge of Cyber Security.
• Knowledge of the CAA and UK aviation and Aerospace industry, supported by an understanding of key legislative factors influencing and determining the CAA’s role as an airspace regulator such as the Civil Aviation Act, Air Navigation Order, Rules of the Air Regulations and the appropriate MAA Regulatory Publications.
• Experience of working in a complex delivery environment.

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.

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

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 a reasonable adjustment, 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, 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: 22nd April 2026

Interview Date: WC 04 May 2026

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.