Recruitment process

Online applications normally open in March. This gives you an opportunity to sell yourself, so take the time to make sure your application stands out. Please also check your application for grammar and spelling.

If selected for interview, we'll test your technical and personal abilities. We're looking for the highest calibre candidates and we'll expect you to have researched NATS and understand the types of equipment used. Try to be well prepared as this will help you to get through the process successfully. If you are motivated to join us, we will invest many thousands of pounds and hours in training for you to fulfil your potential.

You'll need to pass a practical assessment (Stage 1). This will involve examinations consisting of practical and written ability tests, for which no pre-learning is required. If you are successful at Stage 1, then you'll continue to Stage 2 which consists of an interview and group exercise.

At the competency based interview you'll be asked questions on motivation, leadership and interpersonal skills; planning and organisation and communication competencies. Please be prepared to base your answers on real life examples. Try to give specific examples and, if you can, more than one. This will be followed by a further assessment of your technical competency.

If invited to Stage 2 you will be asked to research a particular subject; e.g. you could be asked the question "how does Radar work?", or "how does an Ethernet Network work?" or "how does the Air-Ground-Communications system work?" etc. So remember, think about what NATS does and about how these systems are likely to be used. This is your opportunity to impress us with your knowledge and technical understanding, so do some research and show us how motivated you are.

If your interview is successful, your offer of employment will be subject to a formal reference check, medical and security clearance. These are technical safety critical roles and you'll need to be able to meet the colour vision standards as defined by NATS medical branch. For those that are still studying, this will also be subject to you passing your exams. This whole process takes approximately two months to complete.