Principal Inspector of Air Accidents (Engineering)
| Posting date: | 23 April 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £93,114 to £102,203 per year |
| Additional salary information: | Additional Inspector RRA payable based on experience, skills and knowledge. |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 06 May 2025 |
| Location: | Aldershot |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 401826/1 |
Summary
Are you looking for a role where you can improve flight safety and make a difference to lives?
Can you lead and give direction to a team with your knowledge and experience in the Aviation industry?
Do you have an altruistic sense?
If so, we'd love to hear from you!
This is an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to move into the next step in their career in aviation industry and has the passion to not only make a difference but make a real improvement in future aviation safety.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is part of the Department for Transport. The AAIB’s purpose is to improve aviation safety by determining the circumstances and causes of air accidents and serious incidents and promoting action to prevent reoccurrence. We investigate accidents and serious incidents to civil aircraft in the UK (including UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) and overseas where there is a UK interest.
Principal Inspectors of Air Accidents (Engineering) are primarily responsible to the Chief and Deputy Chief Inspectors of Air Accidents for the organisation, conduct and control of investigations into accidents and serious incidents under ICAO Annex 13, and UK legislation.
As part of the management team of the AAIB, the Principal Inspector (Engineering) has line management responsibilities for several Inspectors and Senior Inspectors of Air Accidents (Engineering) and possibly other staff. The role will support the management of the day to day operation of the branch including budget management, procurement, contractual approvals, recruitment and supporting overall governance activities including compliance with data protection, employment law and other regulations. In addition, the role involves regularly leading and managing multi-disciplinary teams in the organisation and management of investigations or strategic projects. The AAIB receives over 700 notifications a year and, when acting as Duty Coordinator, the Principal Inspector must decide upon and organise the AAIB’s response, often under pressure.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Leading multi-disciplinary teams of Inspectors of Air Accidents and support staff as the Investigator in Charge. The teams may include international investigators, manufacturers, operators, designers and specialists.
- Identify safety issues and encourage safety actions or make safety recommendations to address them, sometimes at short notice.
- Review and edit accident/serious incident reports and draft media releases/reports for publication.
- As a Duty Coordinator (DCO), on a rostered basis, be immediately contactable to make decisions on the AAIB’s response to occurrence notifications. Whilst on roster during working hours it is required that the DCO be in the office at Farnborough.
- Line manage Inspectors of Air Accidents (Engineering) and other staff as necessary, which will include regularly providing feedback on performance, assessment against competency requirements and ensuring their continued personal development. This will be drawn from similar experience as a professional engineer. You will also be responsible for the wellbeing of your team and provide support where needed.
- As a resource manager, along with the other Principal Inspectors, ensure the availability of Inspectors of Air Accidents to be available to deploy to and effectively carry out investigations of air accidents and serious incidents. Also, to effectively manage the workload of the Inspectors.
- Lead the assessment of future development needs and continually improve the technical skills, knowledge and capability of the AAIB and, as part of the wider management team, identify the learning and development needed to meet the statutory requirements and strategic aims of the AAIB. To be an advocate for the Engineering discipline and to sponsor capability development work for these disciplines.
- Represent the AAIB in international activities including as an Accredited Representative leading the UK participation in major overseas investigations, and actively contributing to international information sharing, training and development activities through various international forums and bilateral engagements.
- Deal promptly and appropriately with any legal, media, FOI, ministerial questions or general enquiries as required, taking account of the regulatory framework, AAIB’s reputation and international protocols.
- Budget management and planning for assigned budgets, procurement of equipment and services in accordance with the civil service processes, contractual approvals for the provision of equipment and services and recruitment of staff.
- Supporting the overall AAIB governance activities including compliance with data protection, employment law and other regulations.
For more information, please see the attached Role Profile.
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