Role Purpose
The Airspace Safeguarding Specialist is responsible for ensuring the protection and integrity of controlled airspace by assessing potential hazards, implementing safeguarding measures, and coordinating with relevant authorities and stakeholders. The role involves conducting risk assessments, ensuring regulatory compliance, analyzing aeronautical impacts, and providing guidance to support airspace management and aviation safety. Additionally, the specialist oversees project management activities, including planning, execution, and completion, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives, budget constraints, and stakeholder expectations.
Key Responsibilities/Duties
- Risk Assessment & Hazard Analysis:
· Conduct comprehensive risk assessments to identify potential threats to airspace safety, including obstacles, construction projects, and technological interferences.
· Monitor and analyze aeronautical studies to assess the impact of proposed structures and activities on flight operations.
- Regulatory Compliance:
· Ensure compliance with international, national, and local airspace safeguarding regulations and standards.
· Interpret and apply ICAO, IATA, and civil aviation authority guidelines to safeguard airspace integrity.
- Incident Management & Investigation:
· Investigate airspace intrusions, unauthorized structures, and potential hazards affecting flight safety.
· Develop corrective actions and mitigation strategies to address airspace safeguarding concerns.
- Drone UTM & Countermeasure Systems:
· Assist in developing procedures and guidelines for the daily operations of drone UTM and countermeasure systems.
· Monitor and analyze airspace for unauthorized drone activities using different technologies.
· Work closely with the relevant stockholders to develop response protocols for drone threats.
· Prepare detailed reports on drone threats, incidents, and mitigation effectiveness.
· Ensure adherence to local and international regulations governing counter-drone operations of the Counter-measure operator.
· Stay current with advancements in UAV technology, regulations, and best practices to ensure compliance and enhance operational capabilities. And participate in research and development activities to improve the existing system.
· Carry out site surveys and testing new Drone Countermeasure systems to ensure it meets performance standards.
· Carry out regular assessment visits and monitoring of all experiment’s activities related to UAV certification process.
- Flight Procedure & Airspace Planning:
· Support the study and validation of instrument flight procedures and airspace modification requests.
· Provide technical assistance in airspace and flight procedure design in coordination with GCAA and relevant entities.
- Database Management & Reporting:
· Collect and maintain airspace-related data from sources such as the GCAA.
· Assist in updating and managing obstacle-related databases for Dubai airports to ensure effective monitoring and reporting.
- Obstacle Control & Compliance:
· Assist in maintaining a review system for obstacle control in compliance with ICAO and UAE federal regulations.
· Support the evaluation of applications for construction, drone operations, and other activities impacting airspace.
- Aircraft Warning Lights & Aviation Safety:
· Assist in reviewing compliance with aircraft warning light regulations for obstacles.
· Monitor airspace changes to ensure alignment with ICAO and UAE safety regulations.
· Conduct market analysis of UAV system development and innovations.
- Regulatory Oversight & Inspection:
· Support the monitoring and enforcement of regulations, legislations, and approvals issued by the authority through auditing and inspection programs.
· Assist in advising relevant entities on restricted and prohibited airspace areas.
- Safety & Quality Assurance:
· Assist in establishing and maintaining internal safety and quality procedures for airspace and UAV operations.
· Contribute to safety audits and risk assessments to ensure compliance with international standards.
- Stakeholder Coordination:
· Collaborate with regulatory bodies, airport operators, developers, and government agencies to ensure effective airspace safeguarding practices.
· Provide expert advice on airspace planning and obstruction clearance requirements.
- Emergency Response Planning:
· Support emergency response plans related to airspace safeguarding and aviation security.
· Conduct simulations and risk-based training exercises to improve preparedness for airspace-related incidents.
- Ensure compliance with non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements, as well as DCAA security policies, to safeguard both government and DCAA confidential information. Address and rectify any ISR audit findings, promptly report security incidents, and engage in ongoing security awareness training to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure.
- Perform additional airspace and obstacle-related job duties as assigned.
Academic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree or any equivalent in Electronics Engineering, Telecommunication Engineering/ Computer Science Engineering or a related field.
Certifications:
Relevant certifications in aviation safety, regulatory compliance, or quality management are desirable.
Professional Experience: