Consultant - Transport, Aviation

About the role

This role partners directly with government and industry clients within Baringa's Transport practice to shape how technology is adopted in aviation. The consultant is responsible for guiding the implementation of safety standards and regulatory frameworks that govern both traditional and emerging aviation operations. They operate at the intersection of policy, technology, and operations to ensure solutions are practical and compliant. The position requires ownership of complex problems from initial discovery through to scalable delivery. Success is defined by the ability to translate ambiguous challenges into clear, auditable outcomes. The consultant ensures that the integration of new technologies does not compromise the integrity of existing aviation systems. Written reasoning and structured analysis underpin every recommendation made to clients.

Key facts

What you'll do

Analyse regulatory and policy frameworks to identify gaps and opportunities for the safe integration of innovative aviation technologies into UK airspace.

Solve complex strategic, technological, and organisational challenges for clients across the aviation sector operating in rapidly evolving market and regulatory conditions.

Enhance decision-making, safety, and operational performance for aviation operations through the applied use of data, analytics, AI, and digital technologies.

Develop and articulate a clear understanding of the UK aviation ecosystem, including the specific roles of the CAA, DfT, NATS, airports, airlines, aerospace manufacturers, operators, regulators, and standards bodies.

Demonstrate knowledge of aviation regulation, safety assurance processes, certification pathways, and policy development to support compliant solution design.

Engage effectively with operational, technical, regulatory, policy, and commercial stakeholders to gather requirements and manage expectations across the aviation value chain.

Apply experience in regulatory, policy, innovation, or technology-enabled transformation within public sector or regulated environments to de-risk adoption programmes.

Bridge technical, operational, and policy perspectives to ensure that emerging aviation technologies can be adopted safely, securely, and at scale.

Contribute to the development of digital aviation services, drone integration, eVTOL and AAM concepts, and airspace modernisation initiatives.

Support the definition of future-state operating models that align technology deployment with regulatory compliance and business outcomes.

Champion written communication to ensure decisions, trade-offs, and rationales are recorded clearly and can be revisited by stakeholders.

Build reputational capital by taking ownership of project outcomes and mentoring peers to elevate the standard of delivery within the team.

Requirements

Direct experience working with the UK aviation sector, including CAA, DfT, NATS, airports, airlines, aerospace organisations, drone operators, or aviation-focused consultancies.

A demonstrated interest in shaping the future of UK aviation through substantive work on drones, eVTOL/AAM, airspace modernisation, digital aviation services, and next-generation aircraft.

Understanding of the UK aviation ecosystem, including the roles of the CAA, DfT, air navigation service providers, airports, airlines, manufacturers, operators, regulations, and standards.

Knowledge of aviation regulation, safety assurance, certification, or policy development gained through practical application.

Experience engaging with operational, technical, regulatory, policy, or commercial stakeholders in aviation or related sectors with regulated environments.

Experience working on regulatory, policy, innovation, or technology-enabled transformation initiatives in public sector or regulated contexts.

Ability to translate complex technical and policy information into clear recommendations for diverse audiences, including senior decision-makers.

Ability to bridge technical, operational, and policy perspectives to support the safe adoption of emerging aviation technologies.

Commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, safety, and professionalism in all client interactions.

Willingness to adhere to Baringa's methodology and quality standards when delivering advisory services.

Practical notes

This role requires a UK-based consultant with appropriate right to work.

Travel within the UK and occasional overnight stays may be required.

Typical interview steps

Interviews in this field typically test judgment, communication, and fit as much as technical skill. Be ready to describe a challenge you faced, what you did, and what you learned. Most companies value honest answers over polished ones. Whatever the role, preparation is visible. Reviewing the company's product, the job description, and your own past work before the conversation is the strongest step.

Good to know

Consulting roles typically combine structured analysis with stakeholder communication in regulated sectors.

Data-driven decision-making and digital tools are central to modern aviation and transport projects.

Public sector consulting often involves navigating complex governance, safety, and policy constraints.

Cross-functional collaboration is common when advising government and industry clients on technology adoption.

Emerging aviation technologies include drones, eVTOL, and digital airspace management solutions.

Questions to ask

Good questions to ask the employer in the interview: what does success look like in the first six months, how is the team structured, what is the current biggest challenge, and how are decisions made. Asking about growth paths and the review process is also well received. Employers expect questions, and good ones show preparation.

Career growth

Career growth comes from taking on harder problems and making your work visible. Look for opportunities to own outcomes, mentor others, and learn the business beyond your team. Growth in any career comes from scope, results, and reputation. Take on work that is slightly uncomfortable, and make sure others can see the outcomes.