UK Ministry of Defence
Military Aviation Authority - Deputy Head Certification and Recognition
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MOD Abbeywood North Site, Filton, Bristol BS34 8QW
Job Summary
The Military Aviation Authority is seeking an experienced, credible, and highly motivated senior regulatory leader to become Deputy Head Certification and Recognition. This is a high-profile leadership role at the heart of Defence Safety regulation.
The MAA is responsible for the regulation, equipment certification, surveillance, inspection, and assurance of the Defence Air operating and technical domains. It ensures the safe design and operation of military air systems. As the single regulatory authority responsible for regulating all aspects of Air Safety across Defence, the MAA has full oversight of all Defence aviation activity. Through independent and continuous surveillance of military aviation, the MAA aims to provide the SoS, through Director General DSA (DG DSA), the necessary assurance that appropriate standards of Air safety are maintained in delivering operational capability. The MAA is the military equivalent to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Who are the Defence Safety Authority (DSA) and what do they do?
The DSA is responsible for the regulation of Defence Health, Safety, and Environmental Protection, operating under a Charter from the Secretary of State for Defence (SoS). The DSA provides independent assurance, directly to the SoS, that the law is complied with, and the policy on safety in Defence is being promoted and implemented while Defence activities are conducted. This regulation is achieved through proportionate and appropriate evidence-based assessment of the activity that supports Defence’s operational imperatives. The DSA hosts Defence safety regulators across all operating environments, the Defence Accident Investigation Branch (DAIB) and a Headquarters function into a single independent organisation led by a 3* military officer. The MAA sits within the DSA.
Job Description
The post holder will lead MAA certification activity for large, complex uncrewed air systems in the Certified category. They will also provide technical leadership across Open, Specific S1, and Specific S2 categories, primarily in support of Type Airworthiness Authorities managing the latter. They shall own the Defence Standards that underpin this technical/certification work, ensuring these remain credible and relevant in the face of rapid technological change and innovation.
In addition to these technical responsibilities, the post holder will lead MAA Recognition activity. This process of understanding and comparing how international Partner MAAs operate in relation to the UK MAA is a key enabler to ensuring proportionate application of UK resource and effort to fielding capability. It is intrinsically linked to Air System certification. A key task for the post holder shall be ensuring Certification and Recognition are coherent, mutually supporting, and aligned to Defence’s need for proportionate assurance, evidence reuse, interoperability, and safe exploitation of emerging capability.
A new addition to the role shall be the pan-DSA leadership of Recognition activity, supporting other regulatory domains in implementation and sustainment of this critical enabling activity.
This position therefore represents a rare opportunity to operate at senior level within both the DSA and the MAA Executive, influencing strategic regulatory decisions across Defence while acting as the senior Civil Servant within the MAA. The role will suit an established aerospace, airworthiness, or regulatory professional who can combine technical credibility, strategic judgement, stakeholder influence, and inclusive leadership.
Your Key Responsibilities For You AoR Will Include:
International Regulatory
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- Lead MAA international Recognition activity with other regulatory authorities and external stakeholders (including NATO, FIVE EYES, and European Defence Agency (EDA) airworthiness focal points).
- Lead DSA Recognition effort, supporting and mentoring DSA regulators across all domains as they establish their own Recognition networks and processes.
- Develop and maintain the MAA International Recognition Strategy, aligned to wider MAA engagement priorities (potentially elevating to a DSA International Recognition Strategy).
- Act as the MAA airworthiness Recognition specialist and represent the UK as Head of Delegation at relevant international airworthiness fora (NATO, FIVE EYES, EDA).
- Maintain and develop Recognition strategy, planning, and delivery, including Military Aviation Recognition Questionnaire (MARQ) activity.
- Liaise with UK industry, Defence stakeholders, and partner authorities to identify opportunities for external evidence reuse, benefits realisation, and reduced duplication.
Certification Leadership
- Lead MAA Certification activity for all Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS) in the Certified category including Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).
- Provide technical leadership in support of other MAA Branches for Open, Specific S1, and Specific S2 category UAS.
- Own the content and amendment of associated Air System design standards, specifically Defence Standard 00-970/00-972, ensuring these remain fit for purpose.
- Provide senior regulatory leadership across designated Certification activity, ensuring effort is prioritised against Defence demand and strategic risk.
- Support proportionate Certification pathways for uncrewed systems, experimentation, autonomy, and novel technologies, ensuring regulatory activity enables safe exploitation of emerging capability.
- Work closely with senior MAA colleagues to ensure SQEP is aligned to priority Certification and Recognition outputs.
Strategic Leadership and Governance
- Contribute to the delivery of DSA and MAA strategic outcomes by aligning Certification and Recognition activity to Transition to Conflict, interoperability, innovation, and proportionate risk-based assurance.
- Act as MAA Senior Civil Servant, coordinating activity between the Authority and DSA/DOS where required.
- Provide authoritative advice to senior stakeholders across Defence and industry on Certification, Recognition, and regulatory assurance matters.
- Deputise for senior leadership as required.
People, Resources, and Delivery
- Lead, manage, and develop staff within the area of responsibility, supporting recruitment, reporting, development, and succession planning where applicable.
- Prioritise activity across competing demands, ensuring MAA effort is focused where it delivers greatest regulatory value.
- Manage allocated resources to deliver agreed outcomes and achieve value for money.
Person Specification
Due to the nature of the role, this vacancy is open to Sole UK Nationals Only
Mandatory:
- Engineer (CEng/IEng or willingness to work towards), with a strong Airworthiness and Certification background.
Desirable:
- Additionally experience in the following fields would be beneficial;
- Aerospace Engineering
- Regulatory Leadership and Assurance
- Stakeholder Engagement and Influence
- Leading People and Delivering Through Change
Qualifications
- Engineer (CEng/IEng or willingness to work towards), with a strong Airworthiness and Certification background.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Leadership
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Changing and Improving
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Alongside your salary of £72,480, Ministry of Defence contributes £20,997 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
At the DSA, we are committed to equal employment opportunities and building a diverse and inclusive workforce. As an Equal Opportunities Employer recruiting solely based on merit; we strive to eradicate bias and search for all types of talent. We work diligently to ensure every social group can feel included; our dedication to diversity is evident across our organization and reflects our vision of fostering an inclusive workforce that harnesses the power of difference to safeguard our nation's security and stability.
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.
The post does not offer relocation expenses.
External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.
Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay-related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke, and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors, and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.
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