At Aquila Air Traffic Management Services (ATMS), we are dedicated to creating a workplace where innovation, collaboration, and excellence thrives. As a joint venture between NATS and Thales, we combine the expertise of leading air traffic control services and global systems integration to deliver cutting-edge solutions in air traffic management.
Join us in shaping the future of air traffic management, and together, we will elevate aviation safety and efficiency worldwide!
We are looking for a Engineering Standards & Competency Lead. This role provides an opportunity to contribute to the organisation’s goals and support the work of the wider team. In this position, you will help deliver key activities that support effective operations, continuous improvement, and positive outcomes for colleagues, customers, and stakeholders.
Your core responsibilities will include:
Leading and governing Aquila’s engineering lifecycle and competency framework, ensuring safe, compliant, and auditable engineering practice aligned with regulatory and assurance requirements.
Ensuring consistent, high quality application of engineering standards across all solutions, supporting effective delivery, robust acceptance, and strong customer confidence.
Working collaboratively with engineering leaders, customers, suppliers and HR to define competencies, assess capability, and maintain fitness for role across all engineering disciplines
Driving continuous improvement of engineering processes, standards and future capability, promoting strong engineering culture, professionalism, and best practice across the organisation.
This is a hands on role where you’ll contribute to meaningful work and play a part in helping the organisation achieve its objectives.
You’re an engineering professional who works with integrity, confidence, and sound judgement in regulated environments. You collaborate effectively across technical and non technical teams, communicate clearly, and take a practical, solutions‑focused approach to complex engineering and assurance challenges.
You’re comfortable applying governance and standards where they add value, while remaining pragmatic and delivery focused. You care about safety, quality and professional standards, and you actively support the development of engineering capability across the organisation.
To be successful in this role, you’ll bring:
Relevant experience in systems engineering, technical governance, or engineering assurance within a regulated or safety‑critical environment.
Strong knowledge of systems engineering principles, technical architecture, and engineering lifecycle governance, including safety, security and compliance considerations.
Experience defining, applying or maintaining engineering standards, acceptance processes, or competency frameworks across technical roles.
The ability to communicate complex engineering concepts clearly, influence stakeholders, and support engineers and managers with clear guidance and sound judgement.
You also:
Promote Aquila’s Just Culture, reporting incidents, safety non compliance, or potential issues in an appropriate and timely manner.
Consistently demonstrate behaviours aligned with Aquila’s core values and leadership behaviours in all actions and decisions.
Degree in an engineering discipline or an equivalent relevant professional qualification, with evidence of continued professional development.
Strong understanding of systems engineering, technical architecture, and engineering governance in a military, regulated, or safety‑critical environment.
Demonstrable experience applying engineering lifecycle processes, assurance frameworks, and regulatory standards.
Proven ability to contribute to, govern, or own engineering competency or capability frameworks.
Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status, or working towards it.
Experience within Air Traffic Management, MOD/RAF environments, or similarly high‑assurance sectors.
If you don’t meet every requirement but feel you have relevant experience, we’d still like to hear from you.
201 hours (approx. 27 days) annual leave + 1 Company Day to be used at Christmas (Excluding Bank Holidays).
Time off to volunteer (up to 3 days per annum)
Company Pension Plan (Aquila contribution = employee contribution + 1%, up to 7%)
Life Assurance (2x basic salary or up to 8x if in the pension scheme)
Income Protection
Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 support and counselling
Company paid Private Medical Insurance (Couple cover)
VCP (discretionary bonus)
Through Aquila’s flexible benefits platform, you can tailor your package, including:
Enhanced Maternity pay
Enhanced Paternity leave & pay
Enhanced Occupational Sick pay
Mental Health First Aiders
Recognition through Altair Award
Employee referral bonus
Due to the nature of the work that we do, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires you to be a UK National and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. If approved by the MOD, a dual national from a Non-ITAR country may be considered. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance- United Kingdom Security Vetting – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Aquila is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business need.
