Careers

Take your career to the next level

Are you ambitious and looking for your next challenge? Looking for a better work/life balance?
It’s time to join our team

Are you ambitious and looking for your next challenge?

We want to attract and work with innovative, adaptable and proactive people to help us achieve One Mission as One Team

We offer the opportunity to work in a flexible, fast paced and evolving environment, whether you are based at our Bristol Training Hub, or one of our training sites.

We live our Cultural Values of Teamwork, Integrity, Courage, and Accountability & Empowerment. These values are built on respect—for our employees, partners, and customers — so diversity and inclusion are core to everything we do. We believe that by embracing different perspectives, we unlock creative thinking that drives our business forward.

Why Ascent?

At Ascent, we offer a competitive salary and benefits package, including 25 days holiday, flexible working, pension, private medical and dental cover and a strong focus on personal growth and development.

We provide a stable work schedule, and you may even participate in significant national events like the King’s Birthday Fly Past or represent us at the Royal International Air Tattoo. Our Bristol-based roles offer flexible hybrid working options, and we support all employees with family-friendly policies and development opportunities, including our Future Leadership Programme.

We prioritise mental health and wellbeing, fostering a trusted and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong.

We are committed to equal opportunity for all.

Work-life balance

Equivalent to 25 days annual leave with options to work flexibly (hours, working location, job share, etc.)

We’ve got you covered

We take care of our employees in more ways than one. Our competitive benefits package includes AXA Private Medical for yourself and family and Life Assurance.

We value our people

We offer a competitive salary, Enhanced family friendly benefits and up to 6% matched pension contribution. We also offer length of service rewards for our long-serving colleagues.

One team

At Ascent, we pride ourselves on having a friendly and respectful work culture. We believe this enables our staff to perform to the best of their ability within a passionate environment.

Room to grow

The opportunity to work in a fast-paced and evolving company that is at the forefront of military aviation training.

Support

We offer company maternity and paternity pay to all employees with over two years’ service.

Richard Thorpe
“One of the biggest draws to this job having left a long career in the Royal Navy, was the focus purely on teaching and instructing aviation. Every day is different, as I could be instructing in the aircraft, simulator or classroom, and often a combination of all three. Clearly, with a passion for flying, and with 750 Naval Air Squadron’s primary purpose being to train and generate the next generation of rear-crew, I most look forward to flying in our King Air Avengers.”
Richard Thorpe
London’s Air Ambulance Charity
“Ascent’s expertise and advanced training resources will be invaluable in ensuring our pilots are well-prepared to operate the new Airbus H135 helicopters. This collaboration will undoubtedly help us continue delivering rapid response and cutting-edge care to critically injured individuals across London. We are grateful for Ascent’s support and look forward to a successful partnership.”
London’s Air Ambulance Charity
Bristow
“Ascent’s experience will help ensure technical crews new to aviation have the right technical language and knowledge, ensuring teams work seamlessly and perform to the highest standards.”
Bristow

What will make you successful?

Excellence: You thrive working with people of all levels +
  • Achieving service excellence
  • Delivering business results
  • Inspiring high performance
  • Leading & motivating
  • Optimising productivity & efficiency
Flexibility: Solving our customers’ challenges +
  • Adapting to change
  • Anticipating, planning & prioritising
  • Decision-making & judgement
  • Leading innovation & change
  • Practical problem-solving
Growth mind-set +
  • Building team capability
  • Maximising business opportunity
  • Passion for learning & developing others
  • Strategic thinking & direction
Building sustainable relationships +
  • Engaging & influencing
  • Maintaining resilience
  • Working collaboratively

Latest vacancies

  • All (16)
  • RAF Valley (3)
  • RNAS Culdrose (3)
  • Bristol (3)
  • RAF Shawbury (2)
  • RAFC Cranwell (2)
  • Various (2)
  • Training Hub (1)
Contact us today

BFT Qualified Instructor (Talent Pool)

RAF Valley Closing date: 31 Jan 2026

Job Description

We’re building a talent pool for Basic Flying Training (BFT) Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) and Qualified Instructors (QIs) at RAF Valley, ensuring we have the right people ready to step into key roles as they become available.

Why Join the Talent Pool? RAF Valley is home to fast-paced, high-impact flying training. By joining our talent pool, you’ll be first in line when opportunities arise to deliver world-class instruction in a dynamic and rewarding environment.

How It Works:

  • Apply and Interview: If successful, you’ll be added to our talent pool for up to 12 months.
  • Stay Notified: As roles open, we’ll contact you based on your availability and our operational needs.
  • Confirm Your Interest: You’ll have the opportunity to express interest before any formal offer is made.

Who We’re Looking For:

  • Experienced pilots with a passion for developing military aviators of the future.
  • Aircrew who thrive in structured, high-tempo training environments.
  • Professionals committed to safety, precision, and instructional excellence.

Ready to shape the future of military aviation at Valley? Apply now to be considered for upcoming instructor roles and help us maintain the highest standards in flying training.

A day in the life

As a Qualified Instructor on the Basic Flying Training (BFT) Squadron at RAF Valley you will part of a small niche team delivering world class Ground School and Synthetic training to Military and Ascent aircrew on the Texan T1.

You will

  • Conduct ground based instruction of military BFT Student Qualified Flying Instructors (SQFIs), ab-initio pilots in accordance with BFT syllabuses. The syllabus ranges from conversion, instrument, navigation, weapon profiles, tactical and more advanced evolutions.
  • You will also assist in currency training for existing QFIs.
  • Conduct Computer Based Training/Computer Aided Instruction/Simulator training, including ground school lessons and simulated airborne events in accordance with BFT syllabuses
  • Conduct other tasks related to Texan T1 training as directed
  • Assist Curriculum Design as Texan T1 Subject Matter Expert (SME) in development and maintenance of BFT courseware
  • Have the opportunity to take part in innovation work for the future of UK MFTS

What will make you successful?

You will have previous experience as a Qualified Flying Instructor pilot in the military environment. Qualifications and/or recommendations from the RAF Central Flying School will be essential.

Previous experience in a ‘Basic Flying Training’ role on a turbo-prop airframe would be extremely advantageous and experience in a synthetic training device would be beneficial but not necessarily essential.

Above all else you will thrive when instructing students and helping them to strive for success.

You should already be an excellent communicator and you will be accustomed to working with different levels of ability so that you can nurture the full spectrum of students. You will be working in an environment which is heavily customer focused, ensuring the company provides a first class service at all times.

And you will also:

  • Have experience of multi-facetted flying disciplines, combining leadership and airmanship to provide a positive learning environment.
  • Be able to demonstrate experience of working in collaboration with other teams.
  • Have strong presentational skills, targeting a wide audience of varying abilities.
  • Be able to develop and update courseware with emerging ‘best practise’ and updates as required.
  • Fully engage with the RAF Safety Culture.



View full job description

BFT Qualified Instructor (Talent Pool)

Job Benefits

  • Annual reviews of your salary and individual learning and development plan
  • Competitive Salary
  • Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 free and confidential legal and wellbeing advice)
  • Enhanced company sick pay which increases with length of service
  • Enhanced maternity and paternity leave and pay
  • Equivalent to 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (Extra days with length of service)
  • Flexible benefits (Buying and selling of holiday, BUPA dental, cycle2work scheme, retail discounts)
  • Free eye tests for DSE users and money towards any subsequent corrective glasses
  • Life Assurance (Up to 3 times your annual salary)
  • Mental Health Support and subscription to the Unmind platform for you and a plus one

BFT Qualified Flying Instructor (Talent Pool)

RAF Valley Closing date: 31 Dec 2025

Job Description

We’re building a talent pool for Basic Flying Training (BFT) Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) and Qualified Instructors (QIs) at RAF Valley, ensuring we have the right people ready to step into key roles as they become available.

Why Join the Talent Pool? RAF Valley is home to fast-paced, high-impact flying training. By joining our talent pool, you’ll be first in line when opportunities arise to deliver world-class instruction in a dynamic and rewarding environment.

How It Works:

  • Apply and Interview: If successful, you’ll be added to our talent pool for up to 12 months.
  • Stay Notified: As roles open, we’ll contact you based on your availability and our operational needs.
  • Confirm Your Interest: You’ll have the opportunity to express interest before any formal offer is made.

Who We’re Looking For:

  • Experienced pilots with a passion for developing military aviators of the future.
  • Aircrew who thrive in structured, high-tempo training environments.
  • Professionals committed to safety, precision, and instructional excellence.

Ready to shape the future of military aviation at Valley? Apply now to be considered for upcoming instructor roles and help us maintain the highest standards in flying training.

A Little bit about us

Ascent Flight Training is an established, yet growing aerospace and training company which operates across the UK, delivering flying training services to the UK Government.

We want to attract and work with innovative, adaptable and proactive people to help us achieve One Mission as One Team.

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

You will bring proficiency and experience to an environment where your contribution is valued.u


A day in the life of an Ascent BFT QFI

As a Qualified Flying Instructor on the Basic Flying Training (BFT) Squadron at RAF Valley you will part of a small niche team delivering world class flying training to Military and Ascent aircrew on the Texan TMk1.

You will

*  Instruct relevant aspects of the BFT syllabus to high instructional standards.

·       The majority of the role focuses on delivering airborne instruction but it may also include the delivery of phase briefs, technical lessons, practical demonstrations and synthetic events.

 

*  Conduct other tasks related to Texan TMk1 training as directed.

 

*  Assist Curriculum Design as Texan TMk1 Subject Matter Expert (SME) in development and maintenance of BFT courseware.

 

*  Have the opportunity to take part in innovation work for the future of UK MFTS.

What will make you successful?

You will have previous experience as a Qualified Flying Instructor pilot in the military environment. Qualifications and/or recommendations from the RAF Central Flying School will be essential.

 

Previous experience in a ‘Basic Flying Training’ role on a turbo-prop airframe would be extremely advantageous.

 

Above all else you will thrive when instructing students and helping them to strive for success.

 

You should already be an excellent communicator and you will be accustomed to working with different levels of ability so that you can nurture the full spectrum of students. You will be working in an environment which is heavily customer focused, ensuring the company provides a first class service at all times.

 

And you will also:

  • Have experience of multi-facetted flying disciplines, combining leadership and airmanship to provide a positive learning environment.
  • Be able to demonstrate experience of working in collaboration with other teams.
  • Have strong presentational skills, targeting a wide audience of varying abilities.
  • Be able to develop and update courseware with emerging ‘best practise’ and updates as required.
  • Fully engage with the RAF Safety Culture.

What can we offer in return

·       Equivalent to 25 days leave annual leave  

·       Private Health Care

·       Flexible benefits

·       Enhanced family friendly benefits

·       Competitive salary

·       Pension plan

·       Secure onsite employee parking  


View full job description

BFT Qualified Flying Instructor (Talent Pool)

Job Benefits

  • Annual reviews of your salary and individual learning and development plan
  • Competitive Salary
  • Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 free and confidential legal and wellbeing advice)
  • Enhanced company sick pay which increases with length of service
  • Enhanced maternity and paternity leave and pay
  • Equivalent to 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (Extra days with length of service)
  • Flexible benefits (Buying and selling of holiday, BUPA dental, cycle2work scheme, retail discounts)
  • Free eye tests for DSE users and money towards any subsequent corrective glasses
  • Life Assurance (Up to 3 times your annual salary)
  • Mental Health Support and subscription to the Unmind platform for you and a plus one
  • Pension plan (Up to 6% matched)
  • Private AXA health care for you and your family

Shawbury QHCI (Talent Pool)

RAF Shawbury Closing date: 31 Jan 2026

Job Description

We’re building a talent pool for Qualified Helicopter Crewman Instructors (QHCI) at RAF Shawbury, ensuring we have the right people ready to step into key roles as they become available.

Why Join the Talent Pool? By joining our talent pool, you’ll be first in line when opportunities arise to deliver world-class instruction in a dynamic and rewarding environment.

How It Works:

  • Apply and Interview: If successful, you’ll be added to our talent pool for up to 12 months.
  • Stay Notified: As roles open, we’ll contact you based on your availability and our operational needs.
  • Confirm Your Interest: You’ll have the opportunity to express interest before any formal offer is made.

Who We’re Looking For:

  • Professionals with experience of flying in a support helicopter environment
  • A minimum of 1000 hours Rotary Wing flying experience

Ready to shape the future of military aviation at Shawbury? Apply now to be considered for upcoming instructor roles and help us maintain the highest standards in flying training.



A day in the life of an Ascent Qualified Helicopter Crewman Instructor 

As one of our team of RAF Shawbury Helicopter Crewman Instructors you will be part of an experienced, hardworking and dedicated team operating in a challenging support helicopter environment where no day is the same. Your diverse role will require a wide range of skills.

You will build relationships with our trainees and stakeholders across all areas of the business, customer and supplier organisations to ensure the efficient delivery of airborne and synthetic Rotary Wing Training as part of the UK Military Flying Training System. Your opinion will be valued as we develop our courses to meet the customer’s requirements.

If you are interested in joining our exceptional team, keep reading to find out more details on this exciting role.

You will:

  • Teach all aspects of the Rotary Wing ab-initio Syllabus, by delivering phase briefs, technical lessons, practical demonstrations using state of the art synthetic equipment and airborne sorties.
  • Assess trainees by ensuring that syllabus sorties are graded, sortie report forms and end of course documentation is completed.
  • Assist in a process of continuous development to create new lessons while maintaining and improving those already established.
  • Assist the Chief Rearcrew Instructor with any other tasks to support Ascent business continuity and resilience.
  • Embrace Ascent’s One Team ethos and Total Safety culture.

What will make you successful?

You will already have experience in the Rotary Wing Rearcrew environment. You will thrive when working with our trainees, stakeholders and customers across all levels, coupled with your ability to truly understand our trainees. You will have a passion for delivering a world class military flying training system to achieve one mission, as one team. 

You will be excited by working in an environment where efficient solutions are the answer, being able to navigate both yourself and stakeholders to a positive solution. You will know the importance of being able to work successfully in situations that can often be pressured, where your initiative and flexibility will be recognised.

You will also:

  • Hold medical fitness to conduct the role, either Civilian Class 1 or Military PME
  • Have a minimum of 1000 hours Rotary Wing flying experience
  • Have experience of flying in a support helicopter environment
  • Be competent in the use of computer programmes such as Windows, Microsoft Office Suite and Explore

It would be great, however not essential, if you:

  • Hold a recognised instructional category as a QHCI
  • Have some experience of ab-initio training
  • Have some experience of Rotary Wing synthetic training


View full job description

Shawbury QHCI (Talent Pool)

Job Benefits

  • Annual reviews of your salary and individual learning and development plan
  • Competitive Salary
  • Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 free and confidential legal and wellbeing advice)
  • Enhanced company sick pay which increases with length of service
  • Enhanced maternity and paternity leave and pay
  • Equivalent to 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (Extra days with length of service)
  • Flexible benefits (Buying and selling of holiday, BUPA dental, cycle2work scheme, retail discounts)
  • Free eye tests for DSE users and money towards any subsequent corrective glasses
  • Life Assurance (Up to 3 times your annual salary)
  • Mental Health Support and subscription to the Unmind platform for you and a plus one
  • Pension plan (Up to 6% matched)
  • Private AXA health care for you and your family

Work Experience

Training Hub Closing date: 31 Jan 2026

Job Description

✈️ Explore Your Future with Ascent Flight Training

This isn’t just work experience, it’s your launchpad.

Are you curious about how a real business works behind the scenes? Want to explore different career paths before making big decisions about your future? Join us at Ascent Flight Training for a 4-day immersive work experience at our modern Bristol HQ and discover what your future could look like.


🌟 What is Ascent Flight Training?

We’re the team behind the training of the UK’s next generation of military aircrew. Working in partnership with the Ministry of Defence, Lockheed Martin, and Babcock, we design and deliver world-class flying training systems. But we’re not just about aircraft; we’re about people, innovation, and creating opportunities.


🔍 What You’ll Experience

This placement is designed to give you a real taste of working life. You’ll get to explore a variety of departments and roles that keep our business running smoothly. Whether you already have a career in mind or are just starting to explore your options, we’ll help you find out what excites you.

You could get involved in areas like:

  • Human Resources (HR): Discover how we support our people and shape our workplace culture.
  • Finance: See how budgets are managed and how financial decisions support big projects.
  • Project Management: Learn how we plan, organise, and deliver complex training programmes.
  • Commercial & Business Management: Understand how we work with partners and manage contracts.
  • Media & Courseware Development: Get creative with digital learning tools and training content.
  • IT & Systems Support: Explore how technology keeps our teams connected and secure.
  • Operations & Scheduling: See how we coordinate people, resources, and training timelines.
  • Safety & Assurance: Learn how we maintain high standards and keep everything running safely.

You’ll meet professionals from across the business, take part in hands-on activities, and get a real feel for what it’s like to work in a fast-paced, high-tech environment.


💡 Who Can Apply?

If you’re in Year 10 or above and currently in school, college, or university, this opportunity is for you. Whether you’re a planner, a problem-solver, a people-person, or just curious — we want to hear from you.


🤝 Inclusion Matters

We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer and welcome students from all backgrounds. If you need any adjustments or support during the application or placement, just let us know — we’re here to help.


🚀 Ready to Take Off?

This is your chance to explore, learn, and grow. Apply now for a 4-day experience that could shape your future.

View full job description

Service Delivery Manager

RAF Valley Closing date: 08 Dec 2025

Job Description

A day in the life of the Ascent Service Delivery Manager

As the Service Delivery Manager you will play a central part in the delivery of our Basic Flying Training and Advanced Jet Training services to our UK MoD customer.

Working to the General Manager, this is a senior role responsible for the short to medium term time-horizons to ensure effective collaboration with Training Management, Planning, Aircrew, Customers, and Suppliers to deliver exceptional operational performance.

In driving operational performance, the Service Delivery Manager will lead in implementing daily stand-ups around the SQCDP framework and performance indicators; drive standardisation through QMS adherence; implementation on industrial operations best-practices; and support organisational wide Operational Excellence initiatives.

In addition to the on-site operational delivery resource, the Service Delivery Manager will work closely with operational support functions based out of our Bristol Hub, notably:

  •          Operations Manager
  •          Supply Chain Manager
  •         Head of Quality & Continuous Improvement
  •          Head of Enterprise Planning.

This role is based at RAF Valley and expected to be on-site Monday to Friday. There will be occasional travel, notably with an induction period at Bristol and at another Ascent site.



What will make you successful

You will already have an extensive background in operations management, as a senior manager and leader in the Aerospace & Defence industry, preferably manufacturing and/or complex services.

 You will have an outcome bias and be delivery focused, with a proven track record of maximising value creation for businesses and customers. You will have strong business management and leadership skills and the ability to influence, coach, build organisational core competencies, and ‘get things done’.

 And you will also:

  •  Be a ‘self-starter’ with ability to work autonomously and collaborate effectively.
  • Be a strong communicator with facilitation skills.
  • Have a good level of ICT literacy.
  • Have a good working knowledge of continuous improvement principles, practical problem solving, and risk.

This is a great opportunity to join a growing business and drive real impactful change, if you are up to the challenge please get in touch!



Security Clearance

Please note that many roles within Ascent Flight Training are subject to strict security restrictions. These may affect your eligibility based on factors such as, your nationality (current and former), place of birth or residency history

All applicants must, at a minimum, meet the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). In addition, many positions require higher levels of National Security Vetting, which typically demand more thorough background checks.

For this role, the successful candidate must be able to obtain Security Check (SC) clearance.

For further details, please refer to the official guidance on United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels – GOV.UK.



Our Values

We believe that great training starts with great people and our values guide how we work, lead, and grow together:

  • Accountability & Empowerment – We take ownership of our actions and empower others to succeed. Everyone is trusted to make a difference.
  • Integrity – We act with honesty, fairness, and professionalism in everything we do.
  • Courage – We face challenges head on, speak up for what’s right, and embrace change with confidence.
  • Teamwork – We collaborate, support one another, and celebrate shared success.

These values aren’t just words, they’re how we build trust, deliver excellence, and create a workplace where everyone can thrive.

We champion diversity and inclusion because we believe that embracing different perspectives fuels creativity and growth. As a Disability Confident Committed Employer, we actively support individuals with disabilities through fair recruitment, tailored accommodations, and inclusive workplace schemes, including apprenticeships and work experience. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process, please get in touch and let us know.



The Company

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. 

View full job description

Service Delivery Manager

Job Benefits

  • Annual reviews of your salary and individual learning and development plan
  • Competitive Salary
  • Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 free and confidential legal and wellbeing advice)
  • Enhanced company sick pay which increases with length of service
  • Enhanced maternity and paternity leave and pay
  • Equivalent to 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (Extra days with length of service)
  • Flexible benefits (Buying and selling of holiday, BUPA dental, cycle2work scheme, retail discounts)
  • Free eye tests for DSE users and money towards any subsequent corrective glasses
  • Life Assurance (Up to 3 times your annual salary)
  • Mental Health Support and subscription to the Unmind platform for you and a plus one
  • Pension plan (Up to 6% matched)
  • Private AXA health care for you and your family

Work experience

Offering up to a week-long placement, you’ll have hands-on experience across various teams at Ascent, setting the stage for a successful career journey. Apply now and take the first step towards an exhilarating future with us. We offer work experience in the following locations: Cranwell, Valley, Shawbury, Culdrose and Bristol.

This is predominantly aimed at supporting secondary school or people in an education facility, with understanding of what the working world has to offer and experience. We will review all requested dates and may consolidate those that are more frequently selected. If your requested date significantly differs from the majority, we may reach out to discuss alternative options.

Want to know more about working for Ascent?

Contact us today