At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct reliability reviews for military jet components and assess life extension potential.
- Company: Leading aerospace and defence organisation focused on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with a focus on technical excellence.
- Why this job: Join a mission-driven team and contribute to the safety of military aviation.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering and experience in reliability engineering required.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
- Description
- Reliability Engineer - Life Extension Study
- Job Purpose / Objective
To conduct a comprehensive paper-based reliability and design review to evaluate the potential for life extension of two critical components fitted to a military jet platform:
- EEPROM device(s)
- Air Data Module (incorporating Pitot and Angle of Attack (Ao A) sensors)
The primary goal is to determine whether the original design life can be safely and economically extended, identify opportunities for extension, highlight technical blockers, and define the further work (including any physical inspection, test, or data-gathering activities) required to support a formal life extension case.
Key Responsibilities
- Review of Baseline Documentation
- Thoroughly review all available original design specifications, qualification test reports, reliability predictions (MTBF, failure rate data), FMECA, and safety analyses for both the EEPROM and the Air Data Module.
- Extract and document the original design assumptions, environmental profiles, duty cycles, and declared service lives / overhaul intervals.
- Design Analysis for Life Extension Potential
- Analyse the design architecture, materials, components, and failure modes of the EEPROM device, focusing on data retention, endurance cycling, temperature effects, and electrical stress.
- Analyse the Air Data Module design, including crystal (quartz oscillators) Pitot pressure sensors, Ao A vanes/probes, associated electronics, and mechanical interfaces), paying particular attention to fatigue, corrosion, erosion, sensor drift, contamination, and environmental degradation mechanisms.
- Identify design margins, conservative assumptions, and areas where the original reliability estimates may support extended life (e. g., low utilisation, benign operating conditions, over-specification of components).
- Identification of Life Extension Blockers & Risks
- Highlight any technical, certification, or obsolescence-related blockers to life extension.
- Assess the impact of in-service modifications, software updates, or platform-specific usage that may differ from the original design assumptions.
- Evaluate known or emerging failure modes, reliability data from the fleet, and any relevant service difficulty reports.
- Definition of Future Actions
- Produce a clear roadmap of additional activities required to mature the life extension case, including (but not limited to):
- Targeted physical inspections, non-destructive testing (NDT), or teardown examinations.
- Accelerated life testing or environmental stress screening recommendations.
- Component sampling strategy and acceptance criteria.
- Updated reliability modelling / Weibull analysis.
- Any necessary design modifications, part replacements, or maintenance schedule changes.
- Prioritise actions by risk, cost, and feasibility.
Note: This is a paper study only.
The role does not include hands-on disassembly, physical inspection, or laboratory testing at this stage.
The engineer will, however, specify the scope and requirements for any such future physical work.
Essential Qualifications & Experience
- HNC/ HND/Degree (or equivalent) in Engineering (Reliability, Aerospace, Mechanical, Electronics, or related discipline).
- Significant experience in reliability engineering within aerospace or defence, preferably on military platforms.
- Strong background in electronic component reliability (EEPROMs, sensors, avionics) and/or mechanical/sensor systems (pitot, Ao A).
- Familiarity with relevant standards: MIL-STD, DEF STAN, RTCA DO-160, ARP4761, ARP4754, etc.
- Experience producing technical justifications for continued airworthiness or life extension.
- Proven ability to conduct detailed design and reliability reviews using only documentation.
Desirable Experience
- Previous involvement in military aircraft component life extension or ageing aircraft programmes.
- Knowledge of EEPROM data retention physics and failure mechanisms.
- Experience with Air Data Systems / Pitot-Static / Ao A systems.
- Working knowledge of formal airworthiness processes (e. g., Military Type Certificate, Service Modification, etc.).
- Key Skills & Attributes
- Excellent analytical and technical report writing skills.
- Ability to work independently with complex technical data.
- Strong attention to detail and structured problem-solving approach.
- Clear communication of technical risk to both engineering and non-engineering stakeholders.
- Proficient in reliability tools and techniques (FMEA/FMECA, reliability block diagrams, Weibull analysis, etc.).
- Deliverables
- Interim findings summary (mid-study).
• Final Life Extension Assessment Report, including
- Executive summary
- Detailed analysis for EEPROM and Air Data Module
- Life extension opportunities identified
- Blockers & risks
- Recommended follow-on actions with estimated effort and success criteria
- Supporting data registers / traceability matrix.
Reliability Engineer in Bristol employer: KDC Group Services
As an Electrical, Control & Instrumentation Engineer with us, you'll be part of a dynamic team dedicated to pioneering advancements in laboratory technology. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and professional growth, offering you the chance to lead impactful projects while benefiting from comprehensive training and development opportunities. Located in a vibrant area, we provide a supportive environment that values your contributions and encourages a healthy work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Reliability Engineer in Bristol
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We think you need these skills to ace Reliability Engineer in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at KDC Group Services, 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 KDC Group Services, 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 KDC Group Services
✨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 KDC Group Services.
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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 KDC Group Services. 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
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