System Design Authority NSL

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: £77,480.13 - £103,306.83

Closing Date: Monday 9th November 2026

Purpose of the Job:

The System Design Authority (NSL) in NSL is accountable for providing technical leadership and acts as delegated technical authority across a subset of Air Traffic Management systems; accountable for the system of system integration (where applicable), assurance, transformation and safety of in-service system(s); accountable to review and sign-off of designs and safety assurance documents, ensuring equipment is safe for operation and compliant with regulatory standards.

The role is accountable for ensuring the assets’ replacement and strategic technology roadmap are defined, credible and deployable. 

This is an exciting opportunity to join a high-performing engineering team as a System Design Authority (SDA) for Airport Surveillance systems. As the delegated technical authority for a portfolio of surveillance capabilities, including Primary and Secondary Radar, Multilateration (MLAT), Wide Area Multilateration (WAM), Surface Movement Radar (SMR), Digital Towers, ADS-B and associated surveillance data services, you will provide technical leadership and direction across some of the most critical systems supporting air traffic operations at UK airports.You will be responsible for defining the long-term technical strategy and roadmap for your systems, ensuring they remain safe, compliant, supportable and fit for purpose in an evolving operational and regulatory environment. Working closely with engineers, operational stakeholders, suppliers and regulators, you will provide technical assurance, governance and direction across the full system lifecycle, from concept and design through to deployment, operation and future transformation. The role offers a unique opportunity to influence how airport surveillance capabilities evolve to meet future operational demands while maintaining the integrity and resilience of today's services. We are looking for an experienced surveillance engineer with a passion for aviation and a strong technical background in radar, MLAT, ADS-B, sensor fusion, surveillance data processing or related technologies. You will be recognised as a technical leader, capable of balancing strategic thinking with practical engineering knowledge, providing mentorship and guidance to engineers across the organisation. In addition to shaping technology strategy, you will help define the skills, competencies and future capability required within the surveillance community, helping to develop the next generation of engineers while driving innovation and continuous improvement across the airport surveillance portfolio.

Principal Accountabilities:

Technical Leadership:

• Accountable for the creation and maintenance of system level design baselines, including “system of system” integration boundaries where applicable.
• Accountable for the definition of the Maintenance Envelope to ensure the Engineering Systems will continue to operate for their lifecycle

Safety Assurance, System Assurance and Governance:

• Accountable for oversight and sign off of safety assurance documentation for all relevant equipment and systems, ensuring compliance with national and international standards and that equipment is safe for operational use.
• Accountable for the creation of system documentation

Autonomy:

• Autonomy: Operates within a degree of tactical autonomy within the strategic direction for the delegated system(s) set by the Manager for Airport Systems and Integration.
• Flexibility: This role is a generic role and not linked to specific set of systems. There will be approx 6 posts having the same job description. The systems in scope of the Managers for Airport Systems and Integration are delegated amongst the holders of these roles.

Job Scope:

Technical Leadership: 

• Accountable for the creation and maintenance of system level design baselines, including “system of system” integration boundaries where applicable.
• Accountable for the definition of the Maintenance Envelope to ensure the engineering systems will continue to operate for their lifecycle
• Accountable for reviewing and signing off project documentation, including system designs, transition plans, test requirements and test plans, acceptance documentation, safety assurance and maintenance plans
• Accountable for the technical content of ROM costing and bids proposal, including the cost estimation for technical deliverables
• Provide technical direction to project engineering teams and suppliers
• Accountable for identifying solutions to technical issues during project delivery · Accountable for defining the technical requirements for the training for the ADAs and the technical experts delivering projects within the relevant systems.
• Accountable for defining the technical training for the personnel delivering 3rd line support to the relevant systems and assets. 

Safety Assurance, System Assurance and Governance:

• Accountable for oversight and sign off of safety assurance documentation for all relevant equipment and systems, ensuring compliance with national and international standards and that equipment is safe for operational use.
• Accountable for the creation of system documentation (Maintenance Schedules, Security Risks, Safety Cases, etc), ensuring the regulatory and safety compliance of such documentation.
• Define the requirements for operational support test and development (TADs) environments as needed and support the creation of business cases for their funding.

Strategic Technology Roadmap:

• Accountable for defining and maintaining the strategic technology roadmap for the specialist area, supporting the evolution of systems and assets in line with changing technologies, performance, and regulatory requirements. 

Change & Transformation Expertise:

• Provide expert consultation on system-specific transformation and change initiatives. Provide technical input for relevant systems in cross-functional forums and governance reviews.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation:

• Identify and lead opportunities for system improvement, innovation, and knowledge sharing across airport systems.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Act as the lead technical expert with internal and external stakeholders, including suppliers, regulators, and operational teams.

Team Leadership:

• Line manage and mentor a small team of ADAs (up to 3 people), fostering a collaborative and high-performing technical community. Provide guidance, support, and performance management as required. 

Experience, Qualification & Skills:

• Professional engineering qualification to Higher National Certificate (Level 4 or SQF Level 7) in Electronics, Telecommunications or Computer Science or other relevant Engineering qualification 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 (may include but not limited to: RAF, Navy, Rail, other Safety Critical environment).
2. Evidence of substantial experience gained in a relevant transferable environment (such as ATSEP) gained over a significant period.

• Demonstrable systems engineering or technical leadership capability working within safety-critical environments.
• Proven expertise in managing complex systems.
• Collaborative working style with a clear and relentless focus on delivering business outcomes
• Proven ability to lead, motivate and manage a small team of engineers for the delivery of assigned tasks and activities
• Demonstrable understanding of system design, safety assurance, and operational context.
• Knowledge of the principles and practice of regulation and legislation and the work of regulatory bodies, preferably in the aviation environment (e.g. ICAO, EASA and UK CAA SARG)
• Strong problem-solving capability with an ability to find innovative solutions and to proactively pre-empt issues
• Excellent verbal and written communication and stakeholder engagement skills, and high attention to detail and quality.
• A good understanding of ATC practices, procedures and working within an ATC operational environment, and how the assigned system(s) are used and operated by the Operational Users is desirable.

Additional Information:

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'

All staff at NATS are subject to UK Security Vetting and Clearance (SC) and must maintain valid clearance throughout employment. We are unable to progress applications where an applicant does not meet eligibility requirements for clearance. For further guidance click here Security Clearance - NATS

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. We also welcome discussions on flexible working arrangements.

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.

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