At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative design solutions for aerospace transparency systems and ensure engineering excellence.
- Company: GKN Aerospace, a leader in sustainable aviation technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus opportunities, generous holiday, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to innovation and sustainability.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of aviation while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering and experience in aerospace design.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.
GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener!
Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, were inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries.
Were proud to play a part in protecting the worlds democracies.
And were committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet.
With over 16,000 employees globally, across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the worlds aircraft and engine manufacturers.
There are no limits to where you can take your career.
Job description
Job Summary
Its great to know youre making a difference to the future of aviation!
Whatever part you play youll be helping us deliver operational excellence to our customers.
Based at our Luton manufacturing plant youll do just that.
Established in 1993, GKN Aerospace in Luton is a world leader in commercial and military ice protection systems and transparencies.
Offering a full range of capabilities; design, analysis, testing, certification and manufacture of electro-thermal ice protection, military fast jet canopies and flight deck windows to over 20 programmes including: Boeing 787, Dreamliner, Airbus A320, Agusta Westland, AW101, Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed, Martin F-22 Raptor.
Our customers include Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Bell Helicopters, Textron, BAE Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Leonardo.
Our Luton site is home to 370+ employees and onsite facilities including onsite parking, food hub and vending machines.
Join our Transparencies team as a Principal Design Engineer and help drive innovative design solutions.
We are looking for a Principal Design Engineer to join our Transparencies team to support a portfolio of new and existing programmes including Fast jet canopies, Helicopter Windscreens and Flight Deck Windows.
The Principal Design Engineer is a technical authority within the Transparency Systems team, responsible for leading complex product development, driving technical strategy, and ensuring engineering excellence across multiple programmes.
It spans the full lifecycle: advanced concept development, requirements definition, geometric design, materials and process selection, supporting tooling design, manufacturing development, qualification, and in service support.
The Principal Design Engineer also plays a major role in shaping technology roadmaps, mentoring engineering teams, and representing the business in high-level customer, regulatory, and airworthiness discussions.
This role requires flexibility for occasional travel, both within the UK and internationally.
Core operational hours at our Luton site are: 07:30 - 16:30 Monday to Thursday & 07:30 - 12:30 Friday.
- Job Responsibilities
- Act as the technical authority for transparency design across multiple programmes, ensuring design integrity, safety, and compliance with customer, regulatory, and airworthiness requirements.
- Lead the definition of design standards and engineering best practices for transparency systems and approve design solutions, specifications, concessions, rework schemes, and compliance documentation.
- Provide expert guidance on requirements management, materials selection, structural performance, optical performance, manufacturing processes and qualification methods.
- Represent Design function in MRBs and serve as the primary escalation point for all MRB-related queries, exercising technical authority to determine and approve the disposition of non conforming parts.
- Define and validate test methods and/or alternate means of compliance (analysis/similarity) as required to demonstrate design solution complies with requirements.
- Act as a senior technical interface with customers, suppliers, regulatory bodies, and internal stakeholders.
Communicate complex technical information clearly to both technical and non technical audiences.
- Lead major technical reviews, gate reviews, and customer design reviews, ensuring high quality technical data and presentations.
- Identify, assess, and manage technical risks across programmes, proposing mitigation strategies and influencing programme direction.
- Support capability development within the Transparency Systems team including training, knowledge capture, and succession planning.
- You will contribute to the development of GKN as a 'Great Place to Work', aligned with the core principles - safe, innovative, open & honest, care & respect, and ownership.
Profile description
What You'll Bring
To help us make a difference, youll bring your passion and talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:
Essential
- Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical or similar
- Experience in Aerospace design / or Aerospace product development.
- Deep understanding of the full product lifecycle, design practices, manufacturing processes, and airworthiness requirements.
- Proven ability to lead complex engineering work packages and solve complex technical problems using evidence based, methodical approaches.
- Familiarity with digital engineering and model based design preferably using CATIA V5.
- Excellent communication skills, able to create clear, concise, and accurate technical content and present to senior stakeholders.
Desirable
- Expert user of CATIA V5 for complex modelling and drawing creation
- Chartered Engineer status (CEng)
- Experience working with defence customers and regulatory authorities.
- Experience in transparencies, composites, or specialist structures/ systems.
Note: Some GKN programmes are subject to regulatory restrictions which may impact certain nationalities.
As part of the application process you will be asked to declare when applying for this role.
The position requires UK National Security Vetting (UKNSV) Security clearance (SC) due to the nature and responsibilities of the work carried out.
In order for us to obtain an SC you usually need to have been resident in the UK for a minimum of 5 years to current date (but we do assess each case individually).
What We'll Offer
Once youre on board youll get the following perks and benefits
- Competitive salary dependent on experience
- The opportunity to earn up to 15% bonus
- Industry Leading Pension Scheme = well match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis
- Life Assurance 8 x salary
- 185 hours holiday + bank holidays
- Income protection
- Shopping discounts
- Cycle To Work Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family
- Free onsite parking
- Local gym discount
- Free airport parking
- Enhanced family friendly leave
- A collaborative, dynamic working environment
Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN.
We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment.
Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles weve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute.
Its a culture that won us The Best Workplace Culture Award.
By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.
We are also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.
We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology. ?
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Principal Design Engineer in Luton employer: GKN PLC
GKN Aerospace is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment at our Luton manufacturing plant, where innovation meets sustainability in the aerospace industry. With a commitment to employee growth, we provide extensive benefits including competitive salaries, industry-leading pension schemes, and opportunities for professional development, all while fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion that has earned us recognition as a top workplace. Join us as a Principal Design Engineer and be part of a team that is shaping the future of aviation, making a meaningful impact on global air travel.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Design Engineer in Luton
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with GKN PLC for a Principal Design Engineer. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Design Engineer in Luton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at GKN PLC, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At GKN PLC, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at GKN PLC
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with GKN PLC.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with GKN PLC. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like GKN PLC love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
