Research Technician - Labs & Machining in Bristol

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, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies and are committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do.

This varied and exciting role will be based at our Global Technology Centre (GTC), Bristol. The Technician will support the Zone Owner of the common GTC workshop areas to sustain good order of the spaces, maintenance of equipment plus conduct and supervise works in support of GTC projects and stakeholders with a variety of laboratory, testing, machining and polymer printing equipment. Due to the nature of the work this role will be fully on site.

How You'll Contribute

• Support sustainment of generic workshop areas, such as Labs and Machine Rooms.
• Produce and update risk assessments & work instructions for associated equipment.
• Support management of COSHH.
• Oversee spaces ensuring 5S standards and cleanliness are maintained.
• Preventative Care and Calibration of lab testing equipment and tensile cell.
• Liaise with suppliers and raise Purchase Order Requests for restocking consumables or any required maintenance or repair activities.
• Manage Samples & Consumables.
• Manage storage and marking of samples, ensuring well-ordered and traceable system is maintained.
• Ensure ordered storage of key consumables and monitor stock levels.
• Training & Supervision of new operators.
• Initial equipment familiarisation and hands-on training for interns and research staff on testing and machining cells.
• Provide supervision for early users and assess competence.
• Directly operate and supervise equipment in support of project test campaigns & workshop logistics.
• Coupon Preparation: Separation of additively manufactured hard metal parts from base plates via Eddy Discharge Machines / bandsaw.
• Other machining tasking via lathe & mill equipment.
• Set up of polymer printers.
• Support Overhead Crane and Forklift operations.

What You'll Bring

To help us make a difference, you’ll bring your passion and expertise/talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:

• Essential: Proven Experience with manual machining (lathe, Mill, EDM) with formal qualifications, time served apprenticeship or other relevant qualification.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, keeping stakeholders in key projects informed.
• Good communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Flexible approach to working, can adapt to changes in working hours.
• Strong understanding of engineering drawings.
• Fundamental knowledge of material properties.
• Good problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and part of a wider team.

• Desirable: Can do attitude, proven track record of minor works project management, formal HSE training/qualifications, first aider.

What We'll Offer

• Competitive salary dependent on experience.
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis (Company contribution 12% maximum).
• Life Assurance 8 x salary.
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays.
• Flexible working hours including the ability to finish at 12noon on a Friday.
• Income protection.
• Shopping discounts.
• Cycle To Work Scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family.
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment.

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 we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute.