Design and Certification Specialist

Design & Certification Specialist (Project Certification Manager)   

Salary: Up to £72,000 dependent upon experience, plus a market related supplement

Contract Type: Full Time Permanent

Security Level: SC

Location: Gatwick/Hybrid

Visa Restrictions: This position does not currently offer visa sponsorship

Closing Date: 04 Nov 2026

Interview Date:  09 or 10 November 2026 - In person Gatwick

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:

.

The UK CAA is continuing to expand its team to deliver our state of design responsibility for traditional fixed/rotary wing and innovative products.

The Design and Certification delivery teams are looking for Certification Engineers, Aerospace Engineers, with relevant project management experience ,  'and/or project managers with relevant engineering and certification experience to develop into Project Certification Managers (PCMs) 

 Applications from individuals with experience delivering complex aerospace projects will be considered.  Specialist experience in one or more core technical disciplines, including Flight, Propulsion, Mechanical Systems, Airframe Structures, Transmissions, Electrical, Avionics, Cabin Safety or ECS, is desirable.

Your main role will be to manage and coordinate UK certification and validation projects on behalf of the CAA. Working with multidisciplinary technical specialists, applicants and other aviation authorities, you will establish the regulatory approach, plan CAA involvement, manage project risks and dependencies and bring the evidence and decisions together to support an approval.

It will also involve liaison with the UK industry & other aviation authorities such as European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other national aviation authorities through existing and developing working arrangements.

About You:

You will have an engineering degree, equivalent qualification or demonstrable industry experience, supported by a strong aerospace background. You will be able to lead and coordinate multidisciplinary activity, challenge technical assumptions, influence stakeholders and make sound, proportionate judgements across multiple projects.

You will be comfortable working with applicants, technical specialists and other aviation authorities, while maintaining regulatory independence and clear, traceable records. You will also have the curiosity and flexibility to continue developing through project experience, formal training and contribution across the wider Design and Certification team.

Essential Criteria

• Proven knowledge of the certification process and experience in managing and leading a team involved in civil certification programmes


• Ability to maintain regulatory independence while working constructively with applicants, approval holders, specialists and other aviation authorities.


• Ability to monitor, guide and manage technical decisions on a range of projects.


• Operate in various cultural business environments at varying levels of seniority.


• Using experience to make sound judgments.


• Ability to think laterally to identify the wider implications.


• Resilience to work at pace and on various matters with the appropriate level of input.


• Able to understand specialist issues and place technical advice within the wider regulatory, operational and organisational context, without compromising safety or regulatory independence.


• Confidence to challenge information, propositions, or assumptions across a range of disciplines.


• Capable of making timely decisions.


• Able to decide the level of information required to make decisions affecting safety.


• Confidence to escalate issues as they arise.


• Confident to communicate at all levels, to conduct technical conversation and engage with all internal and external stakeholders.


• Attention to detail and through report writing and delivery of information to support outputs.

Desirable Criteria:

• Core design background or CVE experience in a specialist discipline such as Flight, Propulsion, Mechanical Systems, Airframe Structures, Transmissions, Electrical, Avionics, Cabin Safety or ECS.


• Demonstratable experience with working with other national aviation authorities such as EASA, FAA, ANAC, TCCA and other NAAs.


• Experience of working across the broad spectrum of aviation and demonstratable understanding of product design, manufacture and airline operations.

This role is based on a Hybrid model. The role may require UK and international travel to our Head Office, Gatwick (our base), design organisations, aviation authorities, test facilities or other project locations

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)

The CAA is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct. To help ensure transparency and protect the independence and reputation of the CAA, candidates invited to interview will be required to complete a Declaration of Interests form, disclosing any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest that could influence, or be seen to influence, their ability to perform the role objectively and impartially.

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: 04 Nov 2026

Interview Date:  09 or 10 November 2026 - In person Gatwick

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.