Chief Designer

Listing reference: atns_000954
Listing status: Online
Apply by: 17 September 2026
Position summary
Industry: Aviation & Aerospace
Job category: Other: Design, Architecture and Property
Location: Bedfordview
Contract: Permanent
Remuneration: Market Related
EE position: No
Introduction
Applications are invited for the position of Chief Designer (Peromnes Grade 7) based at Bruma. The successful applicant will be reporting to the Head of Flight Procedure Design and Cartography. The role seeks a candidate to manage, supervise, mentor, and lead Flight Procedure Design and Obstacle assessment that conceptualise, design and develop Instrument Flight Procedures and airspace. To ensure compliance to regulatory requirements of the Flight Procedure Design (PART 173), Charting (PART 177) and Aeronautical Information processes and output.
Job description

Management and General Duties Provide input into PANS-OPS/Charting section budgeting requirements. Plan and provide input on PANS·OPS/Charting section personnel requirements Plan and provide input on PANS-OPS section training (in-house and external) and instructor training requirements. Management of Flight Procedure Design and Cartography office infrastructure including software requirements to ensure efficient operations. Provide professional advice into the development of relevant Civil Aviation Legislation. Implementation of all new ICAO developments and SARPS within the Flight Procedure Design and   Cartography Scope. Establishment, amendment or change of FPD/Charting internal operations manual. Establishment, amendment or change of FPD/Charting management procedures as and when required. Manage training logs as per South African Civil Aviation Regulations and ICAO DOC 9906 Vol II for in-house and external training. Establish and maintain training manuals as required, including progress tests, reports, and training. Record Management of the Flight Procedure Design and Charting Office, as per ISO, Legislation and the ATNS filing system. Assessing proficiency for internal and external FPS trainees. Amendments, Maintenance and Input to internal Quality Assurance procedures concerning FPD/Charting in accordance with ISO 9001:2015

Flight Procedure Design and Charting Management - To manage and lead the flight Procedure design section through enacting the Regulatory and SMS processes. Accountable to Executive: ATM/CNS with regard to managing the FPD sections. Reporting to Chief: ATMO, management and the SACAA including addressing safety concerns or identified deficiencies within the FPD/Charting sections. Accountable for overall progress, reporting and completion of projects, DOT KPI’s and client service requests as per contracted agreements. Approval of Flight Procedure Designs in accordance with all relevant ICAO SARPS, CARS and CATS requirements. Ensure compliance of Procedure Design Reports, Charts, Textual Description, drawing file, methodology, assumptions, calculations, user request specifications, aeronautical data and obstacle assessments through quality assurance (checklist) in line with ATNS SMS. To maintain record of all documentation for audits and SMS. Provision of Procedure Design Approval Letter for submission to SACAA with approved Procedure Design Packages. To verify and ensure by accepting responsibility and accountability that designs are produced in accordance with all relevant ICAO SARPS, CARS and CATS requirements. Review and managing of procedure design/charting processes and procedures. Conduct safety assurance of proficiency assessments to ensure the continued maintenance of standards and regulation. Evaluation of findings and documentation of mitigation action in accordance with Third Party Ground Validation Reports and/or the SACAA review approval reports. To document areas of non-compliance to prevent reoccurrence of safety issues relating to Flight Procedure Design and Charting. Ensure compliance with environmental regulations by ensuring that environmental & noise sensitive areas are identified & considered in designs. Provide inputs into Safety Group Meeting as PANS-OPS representative. Provide guidance with regards to safety assessments relating to Flight Procedure Design. Provide guidance to ensure implementation of recommendations resulting from SACAA Part 173 and 177 audits. Ensure compliance with all relevant ICAO SARPS, CARS and CATS requirements. Provide inputs into the ATM and safety roadmaps. Provide relevant inputs to ICAO state letters. Manage and review the FPD/Charting training and standards maintenance program. Identify, monitor assess and address designer/charting competency issues. Develop, manage and oversee PANS-OPS and Charting OJT programmes. Receive and disseminate 3rd party Applicants in accordance with ICAO DOC 8168 Vol II

Flight Procedures Design, data management and Airspace Design - Design Flight Procedures and Airspace as per AP005/FPD Operations Manual, including ICAO DOC 8168 Vol II and ICAO DOC 9906 Vol I and ICAO DOC 9613 criteria accepting responsibility and accountability that designs are produced in accordance with the relevant criteria and the SACAA Technical Guidance Material, that designs are compliant for the safe operation of aircraft. Adherence to South African Civil Aviation Regulations. Regular production of Design Drawings. Production of detailed Flight Procedure Design reports, tabulations, textual descriptions and supplementary information for submission to the SACAA or external clients. Production of Calculation records. Provision of professional advice regarding Airspace Design in terms of PANS-OPS requirements

Marketing and client interaction (Internal and External) - Communicate FP Design services available to potential and existing clients. Draft formal quotations based on client requests or instruction from BD. Pursue new business opportunities in conjunction with Commercial Services. Liaison with internal and external clients including proposals/quotes and associated meetings. Advising and partaking of technical work groups and committees. Provide input concerning ATM system development and implementation committees and work groups processing

 

Minimum requirements

Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

·       Bachelor Administration or equivalent tertiary qualification

·       BASIC and Advanced PANS-OPS Course having naturally completed the OJTI Training required, including ADVANCED PANS-OPS Course in line with ICAO requirements.

·       Training in Procedure Design aided software, preferably PFDAM

·       On-the-job Instructor course

·       4 Years PANS-OPS Design experience

·       3 Years in air traffic service environment; preferably air traffic control in approach/procedural/radar control environment, or Aircrew (Pilot/Navigator: Instrument environment) operational experience.

·       2 Years OJTI experience

Interested applicants are requested to register their CV’s and apply on https://atns.ci.hr/ by no later than 17 September 2026. 

ATNS is an equal opportunity employer that strives to achieve a diverse workforce broadly representative of our people. This position will be filled in line with the objectives of ATNS’ Employment Equity Plan and therefore candidates from designated groups as per the Employment Equity Act of 1998, are encouraged to apply.

    People with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

Medical aid and Pension fund 

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