ATNS Chief Designer Vacancies open the door to a senior leadership role in South Africa’s aviation sector. This opportunity is ideal for experienced professionals ready to guide flight procedure design at a national level. If you are searching for stable and rewarding career opportunities, this role listed through municipalityvacancies places you at the centre of aviation safety, innovation, and compliance in South Africa.
ATNS continues to play a critical role in managing safe and efficient air navigation services. The Chief Designer position allows you to shape how airspace and flight procedures are designed, approved, and delivered. This role combines technical expertise with leadership responsibility, making it one of the most influential aviation positions available.
Overview of the ATNS Chief Designer Role
The ATNS Chief Designer Vacancies are based in Bedfordview and offered on a permanent contract. The successful candidate reports directly to the Head of Airspace Management and Technology Adoption. The role focuses on leading Flight Procedure Design and Obstacle Assessment functions.
This position ensures that all instrument flight procedures meet national and international aviation standards. It also ensures compliance with South African Civil Aviation Authority regulations and ICAO requirements. The Chief Designer carries full accountability for approvals, documentation, and delivery of flight procedure outputs.
Key Responsibilities in Flight Procedure Design
The Chief Designer leads and manages the Flight Procedure Design Office with full accountability for safety, quality, and compliance. This role ensures that every design supports safe aircraft operations.
Key responsibilities include:
- Managing and supervising flight procedure designers and charting specialists
- Approving instrument flight procedures and aeronautical charts
- Ensuring compliance with ICAO SARPS, CARS, and CATS requirements
- Overseeing quality assurance and safety management processes
- Maintaining accurate records for audits and regulatory reviews
- Providing approval documentation to the South African Civil Aviation Authority
This role also focuses on preventing safety issues through structured reviews and continuous improvement.
Leadership, Safety, and Regulatory Compliance
A major focus of the ATNS Chief Designer Vacancies is aviation safety leadership. The Chief Designer ensures that regulatory processes under Part 173 and Part 177 are correctly applied.
Core safety and compliance duties include:
- Leading safety assurance and proficiency assessments
- Addressing findings from SACAA audits and validations
- Documenting and resolving areas of non-compliance
- Ensuring environmental and noise-sensitive areas are considered
- Representing Flight Procedure Design in safety meetings
These responsibilities support ATNS’s commitment to safe and sustainable aviation operations.
Client Interaction and Business Development
The Chief Designer also supports internal and external stakeholder engagement. This ensures that ATNS services remain competitive and trusted.
Key interaction duties include:
- Communicating flight procedure services to clients
- Supporting quotations and proposals for new projects
- Participating in aviation committees and technical workgroups
- Advising on air traffic management system development
This aspect of the role strengthens ATNS’s position within the aviation industry.
Airspace Design and Technical Expertise
Beyond leadership, the Chief Designer remains technically involved in airspace and procedure design. This ensures designs remain aligned with global best practices.
Technical responsibilities include:
- Designing flight procedures and airspace structures
- Producing design drawings, reports, and calculations
- Providing expert advice on PANS-OPS requirements
- Staying informed on ICAO developments and standards
- Supporting workshops and technical forums
This balance of leadership and technical input is essential to the success of the role.
Research and Global Representation
The ATNS Chief Designer Vacancies also contribute to long-term innovation. The role involves research into new navigation technologies and procedure design advancements.
Research-focused duties include:
- Exploring new instrument flight procedure technologies
- Supporting research projects that enhance aviation safety
- Representing ATNS at industry forums and conferences
- Providing specialist consultancy services
This ensures ATNS remains globally aligned and future-ready.
Minimum Requirements and Experience
Candidates applying for ATNS Chief Designer Vacancies must meet strict qualification and experience standards.
Minimum requirements include:
- Bachelor Administration or equivalent tertiary qualification
- Basic and Advanced PANS-OPS certification
- Completion of required mentorship under ICAO standards
- Training in procedure design software, preferably PFDAM
- On-the-job instructor certification
Experience requirements include:
- Five years of senior PANS-OPS design experience
- Three years in an air traffic services or aircrew environment
- Two years of on-the-job training instructor experience
These requirements ensure high standards of safety and professionalism.
Employment Equity and Workplace Values
ATNS is committed to fairness and diversity. The organisation encourages applications from designated groups in line with the Employment Equity Act of 1998. All appointments align with ATNS’s Employment Equity Plan and organisational values.
How to Apply for ATNS Chief Designer Vacancies
The closing date for applications is 30 May 2026. Candidates who meet the requirements are encouraged to prepare strong applications highlighting leadership, safety, and technical expertise.
If you are not contacted within three weeks of the closing date, your application should be considered unsuccessful.
Final Thoughts and Call to Action
ATNS Chief Designer Vacancies offer a rare opportunity to lead aviation design at a national level. This role places you at the heart of safety, innovation, and regulatory excellence.
If you are ready to advance your aviation career, explore this opportunity today through municipalityvacancies. Take the next step toward a meaningful and impactful future in South African aviation.