Technical Strategy Specialist

Date: 16 Apr 2026

Location: Gatwick, GB

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

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.

• 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 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.

• Knowledge of AI and its application to various sectors of the economy
• Engineering degree or equivalent demonstrable 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, able to conduct technical conversation and engage with all stakeholders
• Perform report writing and coordination of reports in support of day to day role
• Ability to work on complex projects involving new and innovative technology
• Regulatory knowledge - the ability to understand national and international aviation regulations and standards and the ability to interpret and apply the regulator's 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

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. Post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance. To be vetted we usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK, typically five years, before the vetting process.

We offer flexible working arrangements, a free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, an additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and more.

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.