Salary: £55,000 to £65,000 (dependent on experience)
Contract Type: Permanent – Full time
Location: Gatwick – Hybrid
Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship.
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
Following the announcement from the UK government that the CAA has been named as the MSA (Market Surveillance Authority) for Open Category Drones, the CAA is now looking for two people to take on the role of MSA Specialists. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a background in investigation, enforcement, product safety, quality assurance, data/risk analysis or simply drones in general, who is excited by the idea of joining a completely new team and helping to shape it as the function matures. Prior experience working in an MSA function is not a prerequisite.
The MSA function will carry out the activities of ensuring required standards for RPAS are met by manufacturers and other economic operators (e.g. importers and distributors) and intervening when there is non-compliance. This will involve executing the surveillance and control of products placed on or entering the market under UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945. In addition, the MSA function is responsible for implementing and overseeing the conformity assessment framework in the UK, ensuring manufacturers demonstrate compliance with designated standards applicable for class marked RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems).
Core Accountabilities
Market Surveillance and Monitoring:
- Reviewing and analysing RPAS product concerns submitted to the MSA from a wide range of potential stakeholders, including CAA, economic operators (e.g. manufacturers, importers or distributors), RPAS users, general public, Conformity Assessment Bodies, Department for Transport, Border Force, among others.
- Analysing trends in RPAS data and CAA safety intelligence data to determine whether further product investigations are warranted.
- Proactive product surveillance and monitoring through reviewing and analysing RPAS product information and advertising materials to identify RPAS product concerns and potential non-compliant products.
Risk Assessment and Product Investigations:
- Delivering risk assessments and overseeing product investigations to gather evidence on whether corrective actions or product recalls are required to alleviate health and safety risks.
- Updating procedures, policy and guidance in line with the Safty and Airspace Regulation Group (SARG) Management System.
- Reviewing and analysing a wide range of internal and external data sources to substantiate the evidence presented in the risk assessments.
Corrective Action and Product Restrictions:
- Arranging and overseeing the delivery of corrective actions by economic operators should a non-compliant RPAS product be identified through the product evaluations.
- Liaising with economic operators to identify and agree on proportionate corrective action measures to resolve RPAS product concerns.
- Managing and overseeing communication of the corrective action measures to relevant stakeholders, including internal CAA teams, economic operators, RPAS users, public, DfT and Border Force, among others.
MSA Policy and Processes:
- Accountable for designing and implementing the policies and processes to deliver an effective MSA and class marking framework.
- Leading the implementation of legislative changes related to class marking and market surveillance if required, to strengthen the effectiveness of the regulatory framework for RPAS.
- Collaborating with internal and external working groups to identify opportunities to improve the MSA’s policies and processes to unlock further safety, security and consumer protection benefits.
About You
Minimum essential requirements for the role:
- Experience working with risk assessment frameworks.
- Customer-centric mindset.
- Able to stand ground on key decisions and willing and able to positively challenge stakeholders at all levels.
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Exceptional communication skills.
- A delivery and results focussed mindset.
- A programme mindset, and the ability to work within and manage complex project plans.
- Skills to influence and work within a diverse team.
- Knowledge of the CAA and the environment in which it operates.
- Stakeholder management experience – proven experience of operating with tact and diplomacy and with a diverse group of stakeholders. Strong experience and capability in managing relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
- Influencing and negotiation skills of a high order will be important to ensure the right outcomes are achieved with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
- Experience in making difficult decisions for the good of a policy positions or associated projects – even if it goes against the status quo.
What Can We Offer You?
The RPAS industry is a healthy, fast paced and highly innovative segment. If you are the kind of person that enjoys a broad spectrum of novel and exciting challenges, then this is a phenomenal team and time to join. If you feel you have the knowledge base to contribute, then this role offers you a fantastic opportunity to be instrumental to this burgeoning industry’s development and success.
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.
CTC – 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 3 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
Inclusivity
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and celebrate our diversity ensuring all are backgrounds included here at the CAA. As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview.
Our Benefits
We offer a range of excellent benefits such as:
- Flexible & hybrid working arrangements available
- 28 days annual leave + public holidays (additional 5 days leave purchase scheme)
- Generous pension scheme (Up to 12% employer contribution)
- Wellbeing Room at Gatwick
- Mental Health and Suicide First Aiders
- Employee Assistance Programme, talking therapies and neurodiversity support via Occupational Health & access to Headspace for colleagues and 5 dependents
- Free onsite gym at Gatwick or discounted gym membership for London
- EV charging points
- Employee Development courses internally and via Skillsoft
Our Values
Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here
Closing Date: Friday 6th June 2025
Interview Date: w/c 16th June 2025
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.
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