Procedure Design Trainee (PANS-OPS Instrument Flight Procedure Design)
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 – £36,409.48 – £45,511.85Closing date – Thursday 20th August 2026
Job Purpose:
Help shape the way aircraft move through the sky.
At NATS, we design the invisible structures that keep air traffic safe, efficient and sustainable. Every departure, arrival and route is carefully engineered using advanced modelling, precision geometry and international standards.
We are looking foranalytically strong, detail-oriented individualsto join us asProcedure Design Trainees, entering a structured development programme leading to a career as a qualified Instrument Flight Procedure Designer.
What you’ll be doing:
You will follow a structured training programme (approximately 24 months), combining formal courses with on-the-job learning alongside experienced designers.
You will:
- Learn to support thedesign and development of Instrument Flight Procedures (IFPs)used by pilots worldwide
- Applymathematics, geometry and spatial reasoningto real-world aviation problems
- Usespecialist CAD and GIS toolsto model terrain, airspace and flight paths
- Develop knowledge ofinternational procedure design standards(e.g. ICAO, Eurocontrol, UK CAA)
- Contribute to design work and technical tasksunder supervision
- Build towards providingtechnical advice and design expertiseto stakeholders
Over time, you will progress towardsindependent design capability and regulatory approval.
Who we’re looking for:
You don’t need a background in aviation. We’re interested in people who enjoy solving complex problems and working with precision.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving ability
- Mathematics to GCSE level (including trigonometry)
- Ability to understandspatial or geometric concepts
- Strong attention to detail
- Good written and verbal communication skillsInterest in aviation, engineering or a related technical field
- A-Level (or equivalent) mathematics or higher
- Experience withCAD, GIS or technical modelling tools
- Aviation knowledge or operational experience
- Experience working with technical stakeholders or complex data
- Work in ahighly specialised and globally respected field
- Structured development includingformal training and on-the-job experience
- Clear pathway to becoming aqualified Procedure Designer
- Opportunity to contribute to work that directly impactsaviation safety and efficiency
- Supportive, collaborative technical environment
Please note that this role requires attendance at a formal 12-week training course, which may be delivered overseas. During the training period, you will also be expected to attend our Whiteley office regularly for on-site learning and development.
Upon successful completion of the training programme and qualification requirements, employees may progress to a higher grade with an associated increase in salary, subject to meeting the relevant criteria.
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
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.
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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