Subject Matter Expert (Aeronautical Navigation)

NATS is the UK’s leading air navigation service provider, handling over 2.4 million flights each year. We provide air traffic control services from two control centres and at airports around the UK. We also provide a wide range of commercial products and solutions internationally. Our people are at the heart of our purpose to advance aviation and keep the skies safe. 

Salary: £62,278.99 - £83,038.65

Closing Date: 28/4/2026

Please include a cover letter with your application.

Job Purpose/Overview

As an Aeronautical Navigation (NAV) Subject Matter Expert, you will work as a member of an expert technical team providing system design, development and solutions in support and sustainment of radio navigation services and systems. Primarily, you will provide expert knowledge and technical responsibility for an Emergency Position Fixing display system and the associated network of Aeronautical Radio Direction Finders (DF).

Additionally, you act as a technical expert for the development and sustainment of En-Route Aeronautical Radio Navigation Beacons and the associated processing, control and monitoring systems. Provide subject matter expertise to support the assurance, sustainment, and evolution of in-service areas. Contribute to the maintenance of system documentation, regulatory compliance, and support transformation and change activities as required. You will operate under the guidance of the Navigation Domain Leadership, with responsibilities agreed on a system-by-system basis.

You will bring knowledge and experience of working within a technology environment. Ideally, this will include familiarity with Linux-based operating systems, including Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and Fedora, and associated support applications, and an understanding of their application within client/server-based IT network infrastructures.

You will also be expected to possess knowledge of radio theory, radio propagation principles, ICAO Performance-Based Navigation (PBN), and ICAO-standard navigation aids, together with an understanding of the role of aeronautical navigation aids in supporting Air Traffic Management (ATM) operations.

Other Duties includes

• System Expertise & Support: Serve as one of the primary technical experts for assigned system(s), supporting operational assurance and system understanding across the Domain.
• In-Service Asset Assurance: Maintain and update key system documentation including but not limited to Work Instructions, Security Risk Assessments (SRAs), System Architecture Documents (SADs), and Technical Files. This also includes maintenance of Operational Support environments as needed.
• Regulatory & Safety Documentation: Support the upkeep of regulatory documentation and safety assurance artefacts to ensure continued compliance.
• Problem & Change Support: Contribute to the analysis and resolution of PTRs (Problem Tracking Reports) liaising with operational units and support the definition and implementation of changes to in-service systems.
• Transformation & Change Projects: Provide system-specific input to transformation initiatives and asset change projects, as requested by the Domain Leadership.
• Collaboration & Communication: Work closely with the Domain Leadership, Project Managers, Engineering Leads, and other SMEs to ensure consistent and informed decision-making. Continuous Improvement: Stay informed of industry trends, technology developments, and operational feedback to identify opportunities for system improvement.

Autonomy

Operates with autonomy in system-specific matters under the direction of the Domain Leadership. Responsible for delivering agreed outputs and maintaining system documentation and assurance artefacts. Escalates decisions outside of agreed scope, all within the boundaries of NATS Business Management processes (BMS).

Job Scope

• System Support: Acts as the internal expert for one or more systems, ensuring continuity of knowledge and technical integrity.
• Documentation & Assurance: Maintains system documentation and supports assurance processes, including updates to safety and regulatory artefacts on behalf of Domain Leadership.
• Support to Projects: Provides input to change and transformation projects, ensuring system-specific considerations are addressed.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Interfaces with internal stakeholders and, where appropriate, external suppliers or regulators on system-specific issues.
• Technical Expertise: Provide technical input throughout project phases, providing efficient resolution of issues to stakeholders.
• Design Envelope Evolution: Assist in defining and refining the design envelopes for in-service systems, ensuring alignment with operational needs and future capability.

Essential Skills and Experience

• The post holder is expected to hold, as a minimum, a Higher National Certificate in an Engineering or Information Technology related discipline, and relevant experience.
• Job holders not holding the expected qualification but who have undertaken structured technical training (e.g. apprenticeship recognised by a professional body) with recognised qualification ideally to at least HNC equivalent level will also be considered.
• Experience in systems engineering or technical support roles, ideally within safety-critical or real-time environments. Familiarity with the assigned system(s) is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of the assigned system(s) and their operational context. Familiarity with relevant technical standards and assurance processes.

• Strong problem-solving ability, understanding of the systems engineering lifecycle, effective communication skills, and attention to detail with a commitment to quality. Expected to align with skills from SFIA Systems Design Level 3.

Additional Vacancy Information

We have adopted agile working to provide greater flexibility and increased choice over working arrangements, with the opportunity for this role to work in our modern office facilities as well as remotely. Find out more here. 

If you share our passion to advance aviation and keep the skies safe – we would like to hear from you whatever your age, sex, race, faith, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, visible or invisible disability. Individuals that bring different perspectives, skills, life experiences and backgrounds help us be at the forefront of our industry.