Emerging Technologies

Permanent- Salaried Full Time- Wellington, NZ, 6011**About the role**

The spectrum of emerging aviation technologies spans a huge range of systems and capabilities and is not confined to flying vehicles. It includes space planes, air taxis, high altitude solar powered surveillance platforms, hydrogen and electric powered aircraft and novel uses for uncrewed air vehicles (UAV). The technologies being fielded include AI, machine learning, advanced electro optics and sensor fusion. Supporting infrastructure may include vertiports for air taxis and power hubs for new propulsion types. In a nutshell, emerging aviation technologies are those new activities and supporting elements that have not been certified or licenced previously.
- As a Project Advisor you will meet with innovators and operators, many of whom will be new to the aviation system
- You will invite them to share their vision of the future and the Concept of Operations for their system and to consider the regulatory pathways that may be open to them
- Throughout their journey you will support the certification teams, providing continuity, corporate knowledge and insight. This is where your project coordination skills will need to shine in collaborating, cooperating and coordinating both externally and internally, across the various CAA units involved in the Emerging Technologies Programme
- At the heart of what you do will be the need for safety and security to be the driving force behind your efforts

**What we’re looking for**

Initially we are looking for a project advisor who can contribute specialist operational policy knowledge to help evaluate new concepts and support the development of new regulatory approaches. We are also looking for a certification engineer who will employ an enabling approach perspective. The third specialisation we are seeking is someone who understands NZ airspace and will consider how emerging technologies can safely be integrated. This individual will have either an air traffic controller, commercial pilot or military cockpit (pilot/weapon system operator) skills and experience. Their challenge will be to balance this new enabling approach against the imperative of making sure that public safety and security remains paramount. They will test and challenge traditional aviation models and ways of thinking, as we facilitate the operation of new technologies. The project advisor roles are facilitation roles and they will not be involved in certification decision making.

Energy, commitment, courage and agility will be required to deliver in this role. You will be coordinating many different units that have previously been used to primarily working in a vertical structure and getting them to contribute to an integrated Emerging Technologies Programme approach across the organisation.
- Be a strong team player who will relish in-person, daily face to face engagement with their colleagues, as we develop team processes, learn together and build capability
- Be comfortable working in an ambiguous environment where proposals don’t neatly fit within traditional aviation definitions or regulatory business units
- Lead and influence an integrated approach to delivering Emerging Technology Programme outputs in the achievement of programme outcomes
- Report on the important elements of the programme, including risks and issues
- Help build bridges and understanding between the emerging aviation technologies sector and the regulator
- Support the work of the certification staff through collaboration, cooperation and coordination

**About us**

As a safety regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority exists to enable safe flight for social connections, and economic benefit for New Zealand. We believe in keeping people safe and secure in the air, enabling participation in the aviation system, and making a difference to New Zealand aviation. We achieve this through regulatory oversight of the aviation industry and frontline security at our airports.

The Authority embraces diversity and is committed to providing an inclusive environment where our people feel respected, safe, and valued for their unique contribution.

The foundation for achieving this is **_our values_**, which guide how we work and the behaviours we expect from each other.
- **Me mahi tahi - Collaboration**
We work together to achieve and succeed.
- **Me mahi pono - Transparency**
We are open and honest communicators.
- **Me mahi tika - Integrity**
We do the right thing.
- **Me manaaki - Respect**
We treat all people with consideration and kindness.
- **Kia tū rangatira ai - Professionalism**
We act in a way that brings credit to ourselves and our organisation.

**Why join us?**

The Civil Aviation Authority National Office is usually located in modern offices opposite the Wellington railway station. As a result of remedial earthquake strengthening work that needs to take place, our National office staff are currently working remotely and in temporary offices in centr