Operational Assistant (ATM)

Function title: Operational Assistant (ATM)

Reference: NOC-AT-2026-AST/1153

Location: Brétigny-sur-Orge

In accordance with the Service Regulations, staff are required to reside either at their place of employment or at such distance from it as is compatible with the proper performance of their duties.

The Innovation Hub is expected to relocate to the Innovation Cluster Paris-Saclay around 2028.

Nature of competition: Internal and external competition

Applicable regulations: Staff regulations governing officials of the EUROCONTROL Agency

Type of post: Assistant 

Job level: AST4-AST6 - Check salary simulations for the basic grade

Generic job title: Specialised Technical/Administrative Assistant

Number of posts: 1

Duration of appointment: 5 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, combining onsite presence with teleworking opportunities. Teleworking is subject to the applicable internal rules and is granted in line with business needs and managerial approval.Teleworking must not exceed 50% of the days worked in a month when performed at the official place of residence as defined above.In addition, all staff may telework from a location of their choice for up to 20 working days per calendar year, with line manager authorisation. These 20 days do not count towards the 50% monthly limit.

Competition publication date: 27/08/2026

Competition closing date: 24/09/2026 (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 aimed at improving the performance, safety and sustainability of European aviation by bridging the gap between research and development and operations. The EIH also addresses emerging technologies as well as the deployment of drones and urban air mobility systems.

The ATM Operational Assistant provides specialised operational support to air traffic management-related activities and contributes to the development of aviation transport related concepts and to the validation of these concepts from an operational perspective.

S/he assists with operational advice on air transport related topics and activities (e.g. research and innovation (R&I) projects, preparation of R&I proposals, rulemaking groups) and organises and/or participates in workshops involving a wide range of stakeholders.

Your role

Your role will be to:

• Provide specialised operational support and assist with air traffic management related topics and activities (e.g. R&I projects, preparation of R&I proposals, rulemaking groups).
• Organise and/or participate in workshops involving a wide range of stakeholders, providing operational input.
• Contribute from an operational perspective to the development of aviation transport related concepts including:
• • capture of stakeholders’ operational needs,
  • definition of requirements.
• Contribute to the validation/simulation exercises of these concepts from an operational perspective and assist as necessary, the technical experts in charge of platforms and validation experts with 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.
• Support with the drafting and formatting of operational and technical documentation, working papers, reports, presentations, training material, guidelines, etc (e.g. ConOps, Operational Specifications).
• Contribute to improvement initiatives and propose new or enhanced procedures, processes, technical solutions, standards, methods and guidelines.
• Assist and/or support staff with less experience in the domain of expertise/knowledge.
• Carry out any other task in line with the main purpose of the job.

Required qualifications, experience & competencies

• Candidates must fulfil the following educational and professional experience requirements:
  • Completion of post-secondary education in a relevant field meeting European Qualifications Framework (EQF) Level 5 or higher followed by at least 5 years’ relevant operational experience as a fully rated Air Traffic Controller (ATCO), performing active air traffic control duties, including such duties within the last 5 years.
• Internal candidates can check on the intranet to see what level of in-house experience is considered equivalent to educational qualifications where appropriate.

• A valid Air Traffic Controller (ATCO) license issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2015/340, or an equivalent licence compliant with ICAO Annex 1.

• Experience in applying ATC operational procedures and using operational ATM systems in a complex operational environment.
• Experience in analysing operational issues and contributing to the development or improvement of ATC procedures, concepts or systems from an operational perspective
• Experience in operational validation activities, including real time simulations, exercises, operational trials or similar validation activities.
• Knowledge of the European ATM environment, including ICAO and European regulatory frameworks and ATM concepts.
• Ability to draft clear and structured technical documentation in English, including operational requirements and reports.
• Ability to prepare and deliver clear and effective presentations to technical and operational audiences.
• Ability to prepare and deliver training to operational and /or technical audiences on new concepts or systems functionalities.
• The following would constitute an asset:
  • Knowledge of SESAR and NextGen operational concepts and developments.
  • Experience in Air Traffic Management (ATM) / Aviation research and innovation projects.
  • Knowledge of ATM validation methodologies and frameworks, such as E-OCVM.
  • Knowledge of military aircraft operations and civil-military cooperation in ATM.
  • Interest in exploring and adopting AI-enabled tools to support professional tasks and ways of working.
• Teamwork: You foster teamwork.
• Problem-solving: You anticipate and solve business problems.
• Customer focus: You adapt services to respond to customer needs.
• Communication: You adapt communication to different situations and audiences.
• Creativity and innovation: You apply new approaches.
• 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 Common European Framework of Reference 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 appointed in accordance with the provisions of the Staff regulations governing officials of the EUROCONTROL Agency. This appointment may be renewed several times, but its total duration, including all renewal periods, may not exceed nine (9) years. A conversion to an undetermined duration appointment 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.
• Conditions depending on current type of engagement
  Internal staff appointed for a determined period
  • Retain their current type of appointment duration.
  • Continue under their existing appointment duration, as appointment durations are not cumulative.
  • The duration of their appointment will therefore not restart upon selection to the new post, i.e. the remaining duration of their current determined appointment continues to apply.
  • Renewal(s): This appointment 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 appointment 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.
  Internal staff appointed for an undetermined period
  • Retain their current type of appointment duration.
  At the end of the 5 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” type of 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 appointed at the grade set out in this vacancy notice, or if a group of grades has been published for a job level, in principle at the basic grade of the published job level.

• 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 read the tips on how to apply.