RAF Air Traffic & Weapons Controller – Aviation Defence Career Full Time

Full Job Description

The Royal Air Force is currently recruiting Air Traffic & Weapons Controllers to support critical aviation operations across the UK and internationally. This role places you at the centre of RAF flying operations, where you will coordinate aircraft movements, manage airspace activity, and support defence missions while gaining valuable aviation qualifications and leadership experience.

As an Air Traffic and Weapons Controller in the Royal Air Force, you have a lot of jobs. You are in charge of air traffic at an airfield. This means you ensure aircraft take off, land, and move safely.

You might work with controllers at the UK’s Air Traffic Control Centre in Swanwick with 78 Squadron. Your job as an Air Traffic and Weapons Controller may also involve serving as a Weapons Controller. As an Air Traffic and Weapons Controller, you help jet pilots and tell them what to do when they need to stop aircraft that might be a threat.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside civilian air traffic controllers as an Area Radar Controller, ensuring military aircraft operate safely among civilian airliners within the UK’s busy airspace.

• Coordinate and manage air traffic arriving at and departing from military airfields, maintaining safe and efficient flight operations.

• Direct fighter, surveillance, refuelling, and unmanned aircraft support a wide range of training missions and operational tasks.

• Be part of the team responsible for scrambling Typhoon jets to intercept unidentified or suspicious aircraft.

• Provide specialist Battlespace Management support during UK and multinational exercises and operations across the world.

• Deploy on operations as part of a Tactical Air Traffic Control team, establishing temporary airstrips in remote or austere locations to support missions, including those involving UK Special Forces.

Benefits

• Free or subsidised travel to help with commuting

• Gym membership to support your fitness goals

• Childcare support for working parents

• Discounted or complimentary meals at work

• Access to free fitness classes

• Free parking is available for employees

• A company pension to support your future

• Enhanced maternity leave for new mothers

• Enhanced paternity leave for new fathers

• An on-site gym for easy access to workouts

Requirements

• Successfully pass the required fitness test.

• Meet the necessary health and physical fitness standards.

• Be between 17½ and 38 years old, and you must enlist before your 39th birthday.

• Be able to commit to a minimum of three years of service after completing Phase Two Training.

• Satisfy the nationality and residency requirements (see the Entry Requirements section below for full details).

What happens after applying?

When you want to join the Royal Air Force, you must complete several steps. The Royal Air Force process is pretty long. First, the Royal Air Force wants to see how well you can solve problems and think. They call this the Aptitude Test.

The Royal Air Force Aptitude Test checks how good you are at solving problems. If you can really think things through. If you perform well on the Royal Air Force Aptitude Test, the Royal Air Force will invite you to attend a talk at an Armed Forces Careers Office. At the Armed Forces Careers Office, the Royal Air Force wants to know why you want to join, what your life’s like, and whether you really understand what the Royal Air Force is all about. Explore our website for further job listings.