Unmanned Aircraft Inspector

• Are you passionate about improving safety performance in New Zealand Aviation?
• Substantial technical skill and experience in a broad range of the aviation industry.
• Permanent full-time role, flexible location
   

By joining us, you will be part of a team where meaningful work, collaboration and innovation come together to help keep New Zealand’s skies safe and secure.

At the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand, we are constantly evolving to meet the demands of a changing environment and the aviation industry.

Recent legislative changes, along with an organisational realignment, have opened exciting new opportunities across the Authority.  These changes are part of a broader effort to better position our teams for the future by enabling us to be more collaborative, efficient and effective in everything we do. 

As we step confidently into our role as a modern regulator, we are embracing intelligence-led, risk-based approaches that help us make a real difference for our people and the communities we serve – with a strong value-for-money ethos. We’re also committed to enabling aviation participants to support economic growth in New Zealand's aviation sector.

About the Role

As one of our Unmanned Aircraft Inspectors, you will be involved in the certification of unmanned aircraft operators under Civil Aviation Rule Part 102, providing safety oversight to ensure that operations meet the required safety-standards and that operators are actively managing their operational risks. You will also have responsibility for providing regulatory oversight and guidance for all aviation activities conducted under Civil Aviation Rule Part 101. In addition, you may also be involved in safety education and promotion, spot-checks and investigations. This role will give you the opportunity to positively influence and improve aviation safety performance by working closely with operators to promote safe practices. You will be required to exercise sound judgement and responsibility within an established operating framework. You will play a crucial part in providing technical guidance regarding unmanned aircraft and act as a specialist advisor on matters relating to the evolution and operation of Unmanned Aircrafts internally and externally.

The salary band for this position is $115,536 to $161,412, with a midrange of $141,751. The starting salary will be based on the knowledge, skills and experience you may bring to the role and relativities across the organisation.

What You’ll Bring

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with substantial technical skill and experience in a broad range of the aviation industry with a passion for improving safety performance in the New Zealand aviation environment.

To be successful in this role you will have;

• Excellent interpersonal skills to work closely with internal and external stakeholders and provide clear and objective advice to assist with decisions about safety issues.
• A systems thinking approach combined with the ability to think critically and solve problems.
• Working knowledge of the operational standards, procedures and administrative requirements specifically relating to Unmanned Aircraft is desirable.
• Experience in the application of formal risk management systems is desirable.
• A current commercial pilot licence, or equivalent commercial unmanned aircraft pilot qualification, would be beneficial but not essential.

About Us

Our Values – Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Transparency, and Collaboration – represent the standards of behaviour we uphold and guide how we work at the Authority. We embrace diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive environment where our people feel respected, safe, and valued for their unique contributions. We recognise that our people drive our success. 

Apply directly by completing the online application form and submit your CV and Cover Letter. Note: your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key skills required for this role.

We want to ensure accessibility needs are well supported, so the recruitment process is fair and equitable for all. Therefore, please let us know if there is any support, we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is fully accessible to you.

For more information on the role please view the position description or contact the Recruitment team at recruitment@caa.govt.nz

Applications close: Tuesday 29 April 2025.