Job Description

A little bit about us...

Ascent Flight Training

is an established, fast growing aerospace and training company which operates across the UK, delivering flying training services to the UK Government and UK industry partners.


We want to attract and work with innovative, adaptable, and proactive people to help us demonstrate

our passion for training, ensuring that our customers realise their potential and deliver their Mission.

We offer the opportunity to work in a flexible, dynamic, and diverse environment within our Training Support Hub and on our Operations sites.


You will bring expertise and fresh ideas to an environment where your contribution is really valued.


At Ascent, our values are rooted in respect - for our employees, our partners and our customer. That's why championing diversity and inclusion is so important to us; when we embrace different perspectives and give everyone the chance to be the best they can be, we can think in new, creative ways that grow and enhance our business. We are committed to equal opportunities for all. We pride ourselves on being a Disability Confident Committed Employer. We actively practice inclusivity for all people with disabilities where we provide workplace opportunities and experiences. As a supportive employer we endeavour to accommodate all disabilities and will always work with our employees to make provisions for their disability needs.


We encourage all people with disabilities to apply for relevant skilled job roles within the business. As an inclusive company we welcome all disability applications which will be processed fairly, in line with our recruitment policy. At Ascent, we also provide workplace schemes for all students including those with disabilities, this includes Apprenticeships, Work Experience and Job Shadowing for a day. Ascent will continue to work towards maintaining our commitment to those with disabilities.

A day in the life of a PTDM...

As the Principal Training Design Manager for all Basic Flying Training and Fast Jet training courses delivered at RAF Valley in Anglesey, you will play a pivotal role in delivering highly trained fast jet aircrew to the UK Armed Forces. The role will be based at our flying training site at RAF Valley working directly with the Training Squadrons, with ad hoc travel to our Training Hub in Bristol.


You will:

Lead the design, development and maintenance of syllabus content and associated courseware for all Hawk T2 and Texan aircrew training courses. Ensure that our Hawk T2 and Texan aircrew training courses consistently meet the high standards that our customers expect, including those of the Front-Line Operational Conversion Units who receive UKMFTS graduates from RAF Valley. Manage changes and improvements to syllabus and courseware, ensuring all training design activities comply with relevant regulations and Company policies. Provide leadership for the training design and courseware teams, driving the design, development and production of high-quality training content within agreed time and cost boundaries. Provide fast jet training subject matter expertise and advice to our General Manager at RAF Valley and our other Ascent colleagues at RAF Valley. Be the point of contact, in relation to fast jet training, for key customer stakeholders. Ensure all customer training requirements are comprehensively defined and met. Maintain the safety, integrity and quality of the Training System Design. Play a key role in shaping the Future Fast Jet Training Strategy. Lead, as appropriate, innovative projects that have the potential to generate customer value in the contemporary fast jet training environment.

What will make you successful?

You will have a strong background in Military Fast Jet Pilot Training including:

Extensive experience delivering airborne training in the fast jet environment. In depth knowledge of contemporary fast jet doctrine and tactics, with 4th or 5th Generation Fighter operational experience. Previous flying experience in the Hawk T2 or other equivalent variant of the Hawk. An above average instructional category in a relevant aviation position. You will be an expert communicator, capable of managing a wide stakeholder group and demonstrating leadership within it to establish clear goals when required. You will be passionate about fast jet pilot training, have a strong vision for the UK Fast Jet Training System and be determined to see it delivered, in partnership with our customer.

And you will also ideally have:

A keen interest in current industry developments and innovation in Fast Jet Training including modern synthetic training devices. Project Management and/or business development experience. An understanding of courseware design principles and knowledge of DSAT requirements from JSP822. System design, flight test and integration experience.

Ascent Flight Training was appointed in 2008 to design and deliver a modern and efficient flying training system by the UK MOD.


Created as a joint venture between Lockheed Martin UK AND Babcock International; and is responsible within the UK Military Flight Training System (UKMFTS) for the training design and training delivery that creates the next generation of aircrew.