Research Engineer (Manufacturing Process Development) in Luton

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.

With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries, we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers. 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 including design, analysis, testing, certification and manufacture of electro-thermal ice protection, military fast jet canopies and flight deck windows.

The Luton team is focused on developing product and manufacturing process technology related to aircraft ice protection systems and specialist structures for both civil and defence applications. The areas of activity cover but are not limited to:

• Electro-thermal systems and Electro-mechanical systems
• Specialist materials and coating systems
• Embedded and structural composites
• Aircraft transparencies
• Icing modelling and analysis
• Sensing and data acquisition
• Electrical and software control systems and digital engineering / manufacturing

We are seeking a Research Engineer to develop and mature manufacturing process technology to enable low cost, high rate and high-yield manufacturing of aircraft structures with embedded ice protection capability, focusing on automation and digitalisation to drive innovation and manufacturing excellence.

As this is a research role, we are looking for an innovative thinker, your work should push the boundaries of conventional engineering in terms of the design and integration of state-of-the-art manufacturing processes whilst appreciating aerospace certification requirements. You’ll be comfortable travelling within the UK when needed, with occasional opportunities for international travel depending on programme demands.

Job Responsibilities

• Responsible for the technical delivery of allocated project deliverables, or project work packages, ensuring the research objectives have been satisfied.
• Support or lead any necessary 'hands on' development test work and development trials that are 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.
• Responsible for accurately capturing and recording data and results from test work and development trials.
• Responsible for raising and issuing 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.
• You may support project stakeholder management with internal/external customers, and you may lead management of supply chain partners in some cases.
• Take an active role in creating a personal development plan linked to GKN's TEF and will be responsible for delivering on agreed objectives supported by your line manager.
• Ensure EHS policy and process adherence for your activities, and you will 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.

What You'll Bring

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

• A relevant professional qualification such as HNC/HND/ Degree in engineering (e.g. Automotive, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical)
• 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.
• A logical and methodical approach to task planning.
• Good report writing and presentation skills, able to support and present at internal and external technical and project review meetings.
• You will be developing your own network and you will have a general awareness of key companies and key individuals who operate in the wider aerospace technology and engineering field.

Desirable:

• A higher degree qualification such as a Masters, PhD or EngD
• Experience of working with and configuring PLC’s (Siemens)
• Experience of working with and configuring SCADA systems.
• Proficient in operating and configuring industrial equipment, in particular ABB robotic systems including the use of Robot Studio software.

As a Research Engineer, you should have a broad engineering knowledge and be an innovative thinker, being able to apply and combine engineering concepts from a number of disciplines including Manufacturing process selection, Industrial process control, Robotics, Digital engineering (data capture and analytics) and have an appreciation of Lean Manufacturing principles to be able to deliver cutting edge manufacturing solutions for the next generation of ice protection systems.

The ideal candidate will have experience in equipment procurement, including Capex generation, equipment specification, supplier management, commissioning and buy-off. They will also bring working knowledge of AS9145 APQP/PPAP—particularly MSA, PFMEA and SPC—along with a general understanding of aerospace product certification and qualification requirements.

As a Research Engineer, you will bring an adaptable approach to your work and be comfortable collaborating with colleagues across different areas of expertise to achieve project objectives. You will be naturally curious, proactively deepening your technical knowledge through study, experimentation, hypothesis testing and cross-functional collaboration. Your proactive mindset will enable you to quickly understand and adapt to new technology areas, while your strong communication skills will allow you to confidently engage with a wide range of internal stakeholders.

This 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 you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:

• Competitive salary dependent on experience
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll 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
• Discount with local nursery and preschool childcare setting
• Enhanced family friendly leave
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment

As well as a competitive package we’ll offer you a world of opportunity. We want to see your career fly! We’ll support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities.

Join us and keep the world moving … click on the link below to apply.

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