Design & Certification Specialist - Software/AEH

Design & Certification Specialists

Starting Salary: £68,000-72,000 , plus a Market Related supplement (MRS) after successful completion of training and probation £12,000.

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time

Location: Gatwick - Hybrid Working

Required Security Level: SC

Visa Restrictions: This position does not currently offer visa sponsorship.

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.

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. For more information on CTC and SC clearance please visit - Vetting explained - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept 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: The UK CAA is continuing to expand its team of Design & Certification Specialists to deliver our state of design responsibility for traditional, fixed/rotary wing and innovative products. Your main role will be to confidently deliver certification and validation projects for the CAA. It will also involve liaison with the UK industry & other aviation authorities such as European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) through existing and developing working arrangements.

1. Software up to IDAL A

• Knowledge of IMA design and architecture
• Familiarity with avionics communications protocols including ARINC, AFDX and serial interfaces.
• Familiarity with single core and multi-core certification requirements
• Experienced with software and hardware integration and formal verification methods
• Well versed in procedural and Object orientated programming languages.
• Hands-on experience (preferably leading) SOI audits.

1. Airborne Electronic Hardware (AEH) up to IDAL A

• Hands-on experience of Hardware Architectures and design processes related to hardware RAM/Flash Based FPGAs, ASICs, COTS processor/devices, PDH.
• Familiarity with avionics communications protocols including ARINC, AFDX and serial interfaces.
• Hands-on experience (preferably leading) SOI audits.
• Experienced in verification methods, RTL, Post-Layout, Hardware integration. Experience with Advanced Verification Methods is a plus.
• Process oriented minded, but with the capability to assess technically complex hardware and certification aspects for AEH

1. Development Assurance (DA) up to FDAL A

• Defined scope of and lead SOI audits for SW or HW or both.
• Interfaced with other regulatory bodies for Audit delegation or co-validation.

About You: You will have experience in the certification of highly complex systems and their development and integration, Airborne Electronic Hardware (AEH) and/or Software Certification, with experience on performing Stage of Involvement Audits (SOI) audits with the regulatory bodies.

Essential Minimum Criteria:

• Proven aerospace experience, preferably working for an approved aerospace organisation.
• Confidently lead, guide, challenge and influence technical decisions on multiple projects.
• An engineering degree, equivalent qualification or demonstrated industry experience, with a proven aerospace background.
• Proven knowledge of the certification process
• Experience in managing and leading a team involved in civil certification programmes.
• Able to overseas, guide and manage technical decisions on a range of projects.
• Operate across a broad set of environments at varying levels.
• Ability to think laterally to identify the wider implications, and confidently make decisions.
• Resilience to work at pace and make timely decisions.
• Able to understand specialist issues and modulate technical views to account for wider business and political considerations.
• Confidence to challenge information, propositions, or assumptions across a range of disciplines.
• 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.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience in one or more of Software, AEH, or Development Assurance.
• The desire to continually develop experience through project involvement and dedicated training.

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: 31 Aug 2025

Interview Date: TBC

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.