RPAS Product Owner (Gatwick, GB) bei None

Salary: £56,000 up to £67,303 dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

Security Level: CTC

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship.

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The Role

Reporting to the FS&I Product Manager, the RPAS Product Owner will be responsible for the prioritisation and agile delivery of enhancements across the CAA’s digital services. Currently, the scope of the RPAS Product Owners responsibilities includes the management and continuous improvement the Specific Category Operational Authorisations (based on SORA) process, Predetermined Risk Assessment (PDRA) and the Drone Model Aircraft Education Service (DMARES). The RPAS Product Owner will also manage the output of the DMARES Systems Owner and managed the teams’ input into the development of new policies for Future of Flight (FoF) that impact the CAA’s digital service offering. 

Core Accountabilities

• Lead a team to deliver services and iteratively improve them.
• Owns the Product Roadmap for development of technologies and processes.
• Work directly with key stakeholders on the related stories for the agile team, bringing the voice of the user to the team, and voice of team to the users.
• Help the delivery team build the right things in the right order by developing and prioritising product roadmaps and backlogs.
• Establish the methods by which to measure benefits throughout the delivery.
• Consider the total cost of ownership in their decision making, to ensure that the service can demonstrate value for money in its delivery and subsequent operation. This includes finance tracking and monitoring of revenue generated and cost of outgoings for team/services etc and the associated inputs for annual budget cycle and Scheme of Charges process.
• Develop an expert understanding of users’ needs within the context of the evolving market, legal and policy requirements, future possible direction of the service, and champion these in the delivery of the service.
• Define, explain and iterate a product vision that is compelling to users, teams and stakeholders.
• Build, prioritise (based on user value, time, dependencies) and regularly groom a product backlog, ensuring delivery of requirements and making decisions based on data, input from stakeholders and team members.
• Ensure that user stories have relevant acceptance criteria defined and agreed, and that teams work to define these tests prior to conducting any activity to deliver against a story.
• Validate that the story meets acceptance criteria, has the appropriate acceptance tests, and meets its Definition of Done.
• Work with the Solution Architect and other members of the Agile team to understand the need for, and scope of, and enable work to assist with decision-making and sequencing of the key technology platforms that will host the web application services.
• Lead and participate in team demos and retrospectives.
• Set measurable goals for the services and report against these to demonstrate progress against stated benefits
• Ensure the services aspire to the Government Digital Service Standards and apply principles that help to maximise value and ensure a good user experience.
• Oversee 3rd Party delivery of work items – including oversight of contracts, Statements of Work and milestone deliverables.
• Act as the 3rd party point of contact/relationship owner
• Act as line manager for the DMARES Systems Owner – providing guidance and oversight, checking on KPI’s etc.

About You

To be considered for the role you must have:

Essential

• A passion for developing public facing digital services with an outstanding user experience.
• A collaborative team player who is empathetic to team members and end users.
• A fast and committed learner.
• A strong communicator who is equally comfortable communicating high level messages to senior managers as working in the detail with the delivery teams.
• Energy and enthusiasm to set the vision and inspire the delivery team to achieve it.
• A strong decision maker who can work with ambiguity and leverage different techniques dependent on the situation and stage in the delivery.

Desirable

• Experience as a Product Owner, Systems Owner or Product Manager previously.
• Technically proficient having operated in a digital role previously
• Certificated in, or working towards a certification in project management, SaFe, Agile, SCRUM, LEAN or Kanban.
• Experience of working in Agile teams and applying Agile Delivery principles.
• Experience or knowledge of user research techniques and how to articulate a user journey.
• Experience of working within the software development lifecycle.
• Understanding of modern digital platforms that can be used to delivery large scale public facing services.
• Understanding of the challenges of integrating legacy technologies with modern platforms.
• Knowledge of the aviation industry and regulatory context.
• Contract and 3rd party supplier management – including SOW’s, milestones, CCN’s etc.
• Line management experience.

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

To be vetted we will usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. For this role this will need to be 3 years.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

For more information on CTC clearance please visit - Vetting explained - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

Relocation & Property

The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House (Our Gatwick Office) to new premises in a few years’ time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations.

We will be moving to a new local home, up to a 15-mile radius of Aviation House, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers.

We are now working with colleagues and visitors to understand what we need in our new office, before we start our property search. We will sell Aviation House and land, vacate the site and move to new premises, but we do not expect to move before 2028

Inclusive Recruitment

We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Working With Us

We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.

We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here

Closing Date: Sunday 21st September 2025

Interview Date: W/C Monday 29th September 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies please.