Senior Research Engineer - Process Development in Luton

Its great to know you’re making a difference to the future of aviation! Whatever part you play you’ll be helping us deliver operational excellence to our customers. Based at our Luton manufacturing plant you’ll 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 for programmes including the Boeing 787, Dreamliner, Airbus A320, AgustaWestland, AW101, Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F‑22 Raptor, and more.

Our customers include Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Bell Helicopters, Textron, BAE Systems, Pratt & Whitney, and Leonardo.

Job Responsibilities

• Responsible for the technical delivery of allocated project deliverables or work packages, ensuring the research objectives have been satisfied.
• Support or lead any necessary hands‑on development test work and development trials required to meet your Work Package/Work Stream delivery objectives.
• Support or lead the design of external work packages to be carried out by third parties to meet project research objectives.
• Accurately capture and record data and results from test work and development trials.
• Raise and issue high‑quality and detailed technical documentation.
• Seek to understand the strategic direction of the target products or manufacturing process technologies being developed within your project(s).
• Contribute to Technology Development Plans and Technology Business Cases within your project(s).
• Contribute to multi‑year planning and internal/external funding proposals as required.
• Suggest and explore exploitation routes, aligned with the guidance of the Work Stream Lead.
• Support project stakeholder management with internal/external customers, and may lead the management of supply chain partners in some cases.
• Take an active role in creating a personal development plan linked to GKN's TEF and be responsible for delivering on agreed objectives supported by your line manager.
• Ensure EHS policy and process adherence for your activities and contribute to a proactive EHS culture in the wider team.
• 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.

Candidate Profile

Essential Skills and Experience

• A relevant, accredited Engineering or Science‑based degree or relevant industry experience.
• Good general engineering/technology knowledge base and the ability to demonstrate strategic thinking.
• Experience managing budgets on a work package level or smaller Work Streams.
• Good working knowledge of general industrial manufacturing processes and an interest in understanding new and emerging techniques.
• Good working knowledge of AS9145 APQP/PPAP requirements and tools supporting Zero‑Defect Manufacturing approaches.
• Good working knowledge of Lean manufacturing philosophies and Six Sigma / Statistical techniques for process control and problem solving.
• Logical and methodical approach to work package planning and costing.
• A strong self‑starter, competent to work with general goal‑based direction as well as more specific task‑based requirements.
• Experience managing deployed resources (people you lead but you are not their line manager).
• Experience engaging with production teams and the ability to identify operational requirements and incorporate them into your project(s).
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, with the confidence to translate complex information to a variety of audiences and represent your project(s) and GKN values in internal/external review meetings.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• A higher degree qualification such as a Master’s, PhD or EngD.
• Chartered Engineer with a relevant institution.
• Experience in Composite Manufacturing Processes.

We are looking for people who want to make a difference, talented members with the skills and passions to become the best of the future in what they do.

Requirements

• The position requires UK National Security Vetting (UKNSV) Security clearance (SC); usually a minimum of 5 years resident in the UK is required, although each case is assessed individually.
• Core operational hours at our Luton site are 07:30–16:30, Monday to Thursday, and 07:30–12:30 on Fridays.
• The role requires a willingness to undertake occasional national travel for customer meetings.
• Opportunity to work from home for up to two days per week, subject to business needs.
• Some GKN programmes are subject to regulatory restrictions that may impact certain nationalities; applicants will be required to declare their nationality when applying.

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 × salary.
• 185 hours holiday plus bank holidays.
• Income protection.
• Shopping discounts.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family.
• Electric Vehicle (EV) salary‑sacrifice scheme (insurance, servicing, maintenance, roadside assistance and more included).
• Free onsite parking.
• Local gym discount.
• Free airport parking.
• Enhanced family‑friendly leave.
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment.