Operational Support Engineer

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: £52,238.76 - £69,651.68

Closing Date: 09th January 2026

JOB PURPOSE:

The Operational Support Engineer (OSE) is responsible for the H24/7 tactical delivery and maintenance of operational Infrastructure, centres systems and equipment supporting ATM operations at the Prestwick Centre within the Technical or Service Management team.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Tactically managing a range of operational systems, involving 1st and 2nd level planned and corrective maintenance, restoration and reconfiguration, within the autonomy of the job holder.
• Provision of advice to the Service Manager (SM) /Technical Service Manager (TSM) for any technical or service issues, such as the possible operational impact resulting from the loss or reconfiguration of any system or equipment. 
• Assisting the SM/TSM in co-ordination and communication with ATC customers and an extensive range of NATS units/departments plus external organisations to ensure maximum redundancy and compliance of operational systems. 
• Maintaining appropriate SMCC competency ratings following maintenance and restoration procedures. Additionally, skills in Control & Monitoring systems shall be maintained to facilitate restoration and reconfiguration requirements. 
• Understanding of system interfaces using appropriate competencies, to confirm equipment Standard Operating Conditions and services being delivered to customers. 
• Co-ordinating planned work in conjunction with NATS staff and contractors on site to safeguard the integrity of operational services within trained competencies and processes. Any unplanned activities will be referred to Duty H24 SM/SE or TSM/TSE for resolution and/or reprioritisation. 

AUTONOMY:

This post has tactical responsibility for operational service threads which have a high impact potential with regard to both safety and NATS core business. Within well-defined procedures and readily available assistance the job holder has the following level of discretion:

• Hold competency ratings sufficient to control and configure system threads, enabling restoration of operational services on a tactical basis. When confronted with unplanned events beyond the scope of routine corrective action the post holder shall refer the situation to the duty Service Engineer for resolution.
• The Operational Support Engineer can set short term tactical objectives to maintain operational services in terms of redundancy and availability as specified by the Service Manager, Technical Service Manager or Duty H24 SE/TSE. 
• Refer faults or service issues to Support Groups / 3rd Parties when circumstance warrants. Callouts out of hours are to be authorised by the Duty SM/TSM. 
• Provides the Duty SM/TSM with continuous co-ordination and awareness of related tasks for internal support sections and external agencies as appropriate. 
• Authority to withdraw from stores any high value LRUs or consumables needed to restore a service or system.

JOB SCOPE:

• In support of the Duty SM/TSM, the Operational Support Engineer is required to conduct rapid and accurate technical assessments, including any impact on any related equipment or systems. Normally, this would be done through 1st line reconfiguration of assets using a C&M system or LRU replacement. The role therefore requires effective communication skills to discuss and follow up accordingly. Typically, the use of C&M to (re)configure assets or physically replace them is used to resolve incidents. 
• The Operational Support Engineer is required to communicate with a wide range of areas; Civil ATC, Military, NATS agencies, Airports, Projects, Asset Design, FM and various corporate departments. This will be to update on service status and discuss restoration activities. Additionally, liaison with a range of external agencies is required, examples being other international ATC centres, non NATS airports, and various other service suppliers, customers and emergency services.

EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATION & SKILLS:

• Professional engineering qualification to Higher National Certificate (Level 4 or SQF Level 7) as a minimum in Electronics, Telecommunications or Computer Science or other relevant Engineering discipline. In lieu of the above qualifications the candidate will be required to demonstrate one of the following alternative criteria: 

1. Relevant lower-level engineering qualifications such as an Apprenticeship coupled with demonstrable engineering experience in a relevant field (this may include but not limited to: Military, Rail, other Safety Critical environment),
2. Evidence of experience gained in a relevant transferable environment (such as ATSEP) gained over a significant period. 

• It is desirable for the Operational Support Engineer to have experience of resolution of incidents, service restoration, incident and problem management of systems and equipment, ideally in a Safety Critical environment. 
• It is desirable that the Operational Support Engineer possesses strong expertise in fault analysis at both system and equipment levels across a broad range of relevant technologies. 
• The Operational Support Engineer should have the ability to interpret, analyse, and act appropriately to maintain a safe operational service and recognise how their actions may affect the SMCC core business within their area of expertise. 
• Able to demonstrate an understanding of safety critical systems and the impact they may have within an operational environment. 
• Effective oral and written communication skills are required, with the ability to present information accurately and succinctly to customers and suppliers who may not have the same level of operational engineering understanding.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Please attach a cover letter when applying for this role, any applications without a cover letter included will be sifted out.

This role attracts an overtime allowance and full UHP (unsocial hours allowance) once added to shift roster.

We are proud to offer a fantastic total reward package to help you thrive both personally and professionally - for more information on what NATS can offer you please visit - Why NATS? - NATS'

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.