Operational Specialist (Air Traffic Domain)

• Function title: Operational Specialist (Air Traffic Domain)
• Reference: NOC-AT-2026-FGIV/1140
• Location: Brétigny-sur-Orge
• The selected candidate must reside either at this location or within a reasonable proximity that allows for the satisfactory execution of their duties. The Innovation Hub is expected to relocate to the Innovation Cluster Paris-Saclay around 2028.
• Information about living in Brétigny-sur-Orge
• Nature of the competition: Internal and external competition
• Applicable regulations: Conditions of Employment of Contract Staff at EUROCONTROL
• Function group: Function group IV
• Job level: 16-18 - Check salary simulations for the basic grade
• Generic post: Project Manager/Specialist
• Number of posts: 1
• Duration of engagement: 3 Year(s) - renewal or conversion of the contract is possible under certain conditions see “Useful information” section
• Security clearance: Security vetting may be required in accordance with the relevant EUROCONTROL security policies
• Directorate/Service: ATD/INO/COE - Centre of Expertise Service
• Working arrangement: EUROCONTROL operates a hybrid working model that combines onsite presence with remote work opportunities. Remote working is subject to specific limits set out in internal rules and must align with business needs and managerial approval. Please note that full-time remote work is not permitted.
• Competition publication date: 09/07/2026
• Competition closing date: 27/08/2026 (23:59 Brussels time)
• Reserve list: Applicable - See details in the "Useful information" section

Your team

Within the The Aviation Transformation Directorate, the EUROCONTROL Innovation Hub (EIH) carries out research, innovation and simulation activities to help improve European aviation performance, safety and sustainability, bridging the gap between R&D and operations. The EIH also addresses emerging new technologies as well as deployment of drones and urban air mobility systems.

Your role

Your role will be to :

• Lead and contribute to the development of aviation transport related concepts including:
  • capture of stakeholders’ operational needs,
  • definition of requirements.
• Contribute to the validation of these concepts from an operational perspective and coordinate, as necessary, with technical experts in charge of platforms and validation experts on the:
  • definition of objectives,
  • planning of related activities,
  • preparation and, if relevant, provision of training in the preparation phase of simulations,
  • support to the execution of validation activities,
  • lead of operational analyses and reporting on the validation results.
• Provide operational support and advice on air transport related topics and activities (e.g. R&I projects, preparation of R&I proposals, rulemaking groups) and organise and/or participate to workshops involving a wide range of stakeholders.
• Carry out any other task in line with the main purpose of the job.

Required qualifications, experience & competencies

• Candidates must fulfil one of the following educational and professional experience requirements:
• Completion of third level studies meeting European Qualifications Framework (EQF) Level 7 in a relevant domain (e.g. Science, Engineering, Applied Mathematics, etc.), followed by at least 4 years’ relevant operational experience in air traffic control (ATC), airlines operations or airport operations in Europe; OR
• Professional training of an equivalent level with the corresponding (professional) licence (air traffic control licence, pilot licence, flight dispatch, etc.), followed by at least 4 years’ relevant operational experience in air traffic control (ATC), airlines operations or airport operations in Europe.
• Recent experience in applying operational procedures and using operational systems in at least one of the following domains:
  • Air traffic control
  • Airports
  • Airlines or other Airspace Users
  • Air Traffic Flow management
• Experience or understanding in concept development, design and validation of concepts in at least one of the following operational domains:
  • Air Traffic Management / Air Navigation Services (ATM/ANS)
  • Airports
  • Airlines or other Airspace Users
• Experience in drafting technical documents in English.
• Knowledge on ICAO document and ATM related regulation.
• Ability to prepare and provide training.
• The following would constitute an asset:
  • Operational experience in a major European ATC centre or airport or airline.
  • Knowledge of SESAR and NextGen operational
  • Experience in working in Air Traffic Management (ATM) / Aviation pan-European projects with diverse stakeholders.
  • Experience in research and innovation projects, including simulations activities
  • Knowledge of military aircraft operations and civil-military cooperation in aviation.
  • Ability to use AI tools to support professional tasks
• Networking: You know how to maintain and expand effective network.
• Problem-solving: You anticipate and solve business problems.
• Customer focus: You adapt services to respond to customer needs.
• Communication: You are able to foster two-way communication.
• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment.
• Professional conduct in line with the corporate behaviours of the Agency, i.e. result-driven, readiness to change, customer focus, integrity and team-player approach.
• The working languages of the Agency are English and French. For this particular job, candidates must be proficient users of English at level C1. The selected candidate will be required to become at least a basic user of French at level A1 before the end of the probation period.
  The levels relate to the European-framework-reference Common European Framework of References for languages (CEFR).

Useful information

• Applications will be accepted from nationals of EUROCONTROL Member States only.
• The selected candidate may be required to provide documentary evidence confirming they meet the minimum education requirements. They will be informed if and when specific evidence is needed. Please note that no offer (for external candidates) or appointment (for internal candidates) will be made until the necessary evidence, if required, is validated.
• The selected candidate will be engaged in accordance with the provisions of the Conditions of Employment of Contract Staff at EUROCONTROL.
• Conditions depending on current type of engagement
      Contract staff engaged for a determined period
  
  • Retain their current type of contract duration.
  • Continue under their existing contract duration, as contract durations are not cumulative.
  • The duration of their contract will therefore not restart upon selection to the new post, i.e. the remaining duration of their current determined contract continues to apply.
  • Renewal(s): This contract may be renewed several times, but its total duration, including all renewal periods, may not exceed nine (9) years.
  • Conversion: Conversion to an undetermined duration contract is possible where all of the following cumulative conditions are met: the post is confirmed as being of a lasting nature; the staff member has completed at least five years of service; the staff member’s performance has been satisfactory; and the conversion is in the interests of the service. Conversion is therefore not automatic.
      Contract Staff engaged for an undetermined period
  
  • Retain their current type of contract duration.
      At the end of the 3 Year period of the post for which they were selected:
  • If the assignment is extended, they will continue in the post in accordance with the applicable rules.
  • If the assignment is not extended and/or the duties are not confirmed as being of a lasting nature, they will be transferred to another post corresponding to their previous generic post, job level, and function group.
• The selected candidate must successfully complete a probationary period of nine (9) months before being established in the post.
• The selected candidate shall be engaged in principle at the basic grade of the advertised grades.
• Candidates declared suitable who are not selected for the post will be placed on a reserve list for similar roles. The reserve list will be valid for one year from the closing date of applications.
• Information on salary and benefits can be found on our Careers site
• EUROCONTROL is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to equality and diversity. In the event of equal merit, preference may be given to the applicant from the under-represented diversity characteristics in order to complement diversity of teams and rebalance the workforce.
• Candidates should go to our Careers site and .