Types of career

Job Title
Communications, Navigation and Surveillance or Spectrum Policy Specialist

Function
Maintain and develop safety policies in relation to the former

Brief Description
Maintain and develop safety policies in relation to the former

Key Skills
Problem solving, attention to detail, absorbing and translating technical detail, processing data

Entry Routes
Many in the team have radio frequency (RF) engineering backgrounds or related. There are a choice of routes:

Higher Education – Typically a degree in Electronic Engineering or related. Many degrees will have a specialism in the final year which will include RF (Radio Frequency) design, broadcasting, etc.

Day in the Life
Policy specialist can be involved in teams that develop new systems, this can mean lots of meetings and workshops to discuss what a new system might need to do and how it works

Job Title
Airworthiness Surveyor

Function
SARG-Airworthiness

Brief Description
Approve and maintain Design, Production, Maintenance and training organisations to the applicable regulatory requirements.

Key Skills
Ability to see the bigger picture, technical knowledge of products, parts appliances, knowledge about applicable regulatory requirements, influencing and collaborating skills.

Entry Routes
Experience in the relevant industry area. Potential direct entry as a graduate or apprentice.

Day in the Life
conducting on-site audits of design, production, maintenance and training organisation. Design and certification of products, parts and appliances being used in civil aviation sector.

Fun Fact
We are involved in certification of flying taxies, electrical vertical take-off and landing vehicles. It will not be too long, these products will be seen filling the sky.

Job Title
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer

Function
Apprenticeship

Brief Description
Aircraft maintenance engineers are more commonly called aircraft mechanics because they perform scheduled maintenance on propeller planes, airliners, helicopters and other flying machines. They typically work in air fields, hangars and repair stations, and must endure hot and cold temperatures when handling tasks outdoors.

Key Skills
“Attention to detail – most aircraft maintenance engineers work in unpredictable environments – both with mechanical issues that may arise and with things such as weather. It is important to be a strong performer under pressure and have the ability to multitask while paying close attention to details and the surrounding environmentFlexibility – aircraft maintenance engineers often work long hours as needed, depending on what issues arise. Most engineers work shifts that include weekends in order to cover flying hours
Communication skills – aircraft maintenance engineers interact with many people – supervisors, maintenance staff, and other aircraft engineers – in a fast-paced environment, so it’s important to be a strong, detailed communicator in order for things to run safely and smoothly
Problem-solving skills – aircraft maintenance engineers are natural problem-solvers, able to handle situations where some investigative work needs to occur in order to rule out certain scenarios and find the root cause of an issue”

Entry Routes
To become an aircraft maintenance engineer you usually have to complete an apprenticeship or traineeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information.

Day in the Life
Jack Hawkins – Aircraft Engineering Apprentice – Careers in Aerospace

Fun Fact
In aerospace, apprenticeships are offered either by aircraft component manufacturers, such as BAE Systems, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Messier-Dowty, Goodrich or by aircraft maintenance providers, which could be an airline such as British Airways or Virgin Atlantic or a specialist aircraft maintenance company

Job Title
Aerospace Engineer

Function
Graduate

Brief Description
“A career in aerospace engineering will see you working with cutting-edge technology and international companiesAs an aerospace engineer you’ll research, design, develop, maintain and test the performance of:

civil and military aircraft
missiles
satellites
space vehicles
weapons systems.
Work is also carried out on the different components that make up the aircraft and systems. In some companies you may be known as an aeronautical engineer.

You’ll be concerned with improving flight safety, fuel efficiency, speed and weight, as well as reducing system costs and using developing technologies to meet customer needs. The role increasingly addresses the environmental impact of air travel.”

Key Skills
In terms of skills, you will need to demonstrate strong technical knowledge of aerospace systems and manufacturing, the ability to think creatively and be innovative, particularly when developing designs, problem-solving and analytical skills for dealing with repairs, meticulous attention to detail and a methodical approach to work, communication and teamworking skills when dealing with colleagues as well as the ability to work to deadlines with self-motivation.

Entry Routes
Many large aerospace companies offer graduate training schemes in the engineering field and require a good degree, usually a 2.1 or above. Entry with a HND only is not possible for these programmes.

Day in the Life
Mohan Venugopal – Graduate Engineer at Leonardo Helicopters UK – Careers in Aerospace

Fun Fact
It’s also possible to specialise in areas such as aerodynamics, propulsion or avionics. You could choose to move into a different area of aviation, such as a commercial role in sales, training or lecturing.

Job Title
Fuellers

Function
Refuelling Airliners and Jets

Brief Description
An aircraft fueller is responsible for refuelling airliners and jets with either aviation gasoline or jet fuel. The fueller climbs ladders or step stools to access the fuel port on the planes, attaches a large hose to the aircraft, and pumps the fuel into the plane from trucks on the ground.

Key Skills

Efficiency; to allow for minimum aircraft ground time and increase productivity.

Punctuality; to enhance fleet dispatch reliability.

Good oral and written communication skills; to facilitate two-way communication with the ground traffic control centre and for good customer service.

Problem-solving skills; for quick decision-making.

Entry Routes

No formal academic entry requirements

Employers may require GCSEs/S grades for some posts

Training provided off- and on-the-job

NVQs/SVQs in Providing Airside Ramp Operations available at Level 2

Day in the Life
The role of an aircraft fueller day to day is primarily to ensure that all the aircraft (inbound aircraft and outgoing aircraft) of an airline are fuelled in a timely and efficient manner such that the fleet schedule requirements are met.

Job Title
ATM Engineering Inspector

Brief Description
Inspect the facilities of an air traffic unit to ensure they meet regulatory requirements.

Key skills
Problem solving, attention to detail, absorbing and translating technical detail.

Entry Routes
Typically experience in industry (air traffic engineering)

Day in the life
Engineering inspectors will spend part of their time travelling to units, and time in the office writing up results.

Fun Fact
There are over 200 airports in the UK

Job Title
Inspecting Officer

Brief Description
To assist in the oversight of air traffic management regulation, including inspections

Key skills
Problem solving, attention to detail, absorbing and translating technical detail, processing data.

Entry Routes
A range of routes, direct entry graduates or apprenticeships might be suitable for this role.

Day in the life
Engineering inspectors will spend part of their time travelling to units, and time in the office writing up results.

Fun Fact
There are over 200 airports in the UK

Job Title
Engineering Safety Analyst

Function
Operational Maintenance

Job Title
Frequency Manager

Brief Description
To manage the radio airwaves that support air traffic management.

Key Skills
Problem solving, attention to detail, absorbing and translating technical detail, processing data

Entry Routes
Typically experience in industry (air traffic engineering)

Day in the Life
Dealing with requests from entities and administering changes. Assessing applications and ensuring that changes do not cause interference. Investigating reports of interference to radio systems

Fun Fact
Aircraft use lots of different radio systems and can have over 20 different aerials like you have on your car!

Job Title
Infrastructure Policy Specialist

Brief Description
To develop the policy/rules for the use of equipment that enables air traffic management. To help develop standards for new technologies that will support air traffic in the future, such as new radars or communication systems

Key Skills
Problem solving, attention to detail, absorbing and translating technical detail, knowledge of lots of different technical areas

Entry Routes
Typically experience in industry (air traffic engineering), potential direct entry graduates in a relevant subject

Day in the Life
Policy specialist can be involved in teams that develop new systems, this can mean lots of meetings and workshops to discuss what a new system might need to do and how it works

Fun Fact
We are already working on systems that instead of voice use text messages to enable pilots and air traffic controllers to communicate

Job Title
Automation Maintenance

Function
Automation Maintenance professionals are responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing automated machinery and systems used in aviation.

Brief Description

Automation Maintenance involves the upkeep and repair of equipment that operates through mechanical and electronic automation. Technicians in this role ensure machines and systems—like robotic arms, conveyors, and control systems—run correctly.

Key Skills

Technical Aptitude: Strong understanding of mechanical, electrical, and software components of automated systems.

Problem-Solving: Ability to troubleshoot issues quickly and efficiently.

Attention to Detail: A keen eye for diagnosing small mechanical or electrical faults that could lead to larger problems.

Hands-on Skills: Comfortable with tools, machinery, and diagnostic equipment.

Teamwork & Communication: Ability to collaborate with engineers, production teams, and other maintenance staff

Knowledge of Safety Standards: Understanding of safety protocols and industry regulations regarding automated equipment

Entry Routes

Apprenticeships

A degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or automation technology.

On-the-Job Training: Some entry-level positions offer hands-on

Job Title
Robotics

Brief Description
Aerospace robotics Technicians are professionals who work in the aerospace industry, primarily dealing with the application and maintenance of robotics and automated systems. They design, install, test, and maintain robotics equipment used in the manufacturing and testing of aerospace products, including aircraft and spacecraft parts.

Key Skills

Good communication skills to liaise with engineers, programmers and other team members, as well as to write detailed reports on equipment status and maintenance procedures.

Experience with computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software for the design and modification of robotic systems.

Knowledge of safety regulations and procedures to ensure the safe operation and maintenance of robotic equipment and to maintain a safe working environment.

Strong understanding of robotics, aerospace systems and related technology, ensuring they can operate and maintain a variety of robotic equipment used in the aerospace industry.

Proficiency in diagnosing and troubleshooting software and hardware issues on robotic systems, utilising their problem-solving skills.

Ability to interpret technical plans, blueprints and schematics, enabling them to set up, program and fix robotics equipment accurately.

Entry Routes
Though not always a requirement, a  degree in robotics, aerospace engineering, or a similar discipline can be beneficial for more specialized or advanced roles.