Senior Research Engineer (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.

As Senior Research Engineer (Process Development) you will draw on your diverse engineering background and product lifecycle awareness to progress a variety of research activity in the TRL1-6 range. You must have sound experience in leading technical work, including budgeting, schedule and risk management. You will be capable of achieving through others internally and externally, and you will be committed to development of your own skills and professional network. Your good communication skills shall enable you to confidently engage with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.

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. There is also the opportunity to work from home for up to two days per week, subject to business needs.

• 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.

• A relevant, accredited Engineering or Science based degree OR relevant industry experience.
• Good general engineering/technology knowledge base and can 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 you can identify operational requirements and incorporate into your project(s) as appropriate and as agreed.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, and can confidently translate complex information to a variety of audiences and you are able to represent your project(s) and GKN values in internal/external review meetings.

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

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).

• Competitive salary dependent on experience.
• The opportunity to earn up to 15% bonus.
• 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.
• 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.

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.