Principal Design Engineer EWIS - Components & Environmental Testing

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace’s EWIS solutions (Fokker Elmo) Engineering department is looking for an ambitious engineer to apply their theoretical background, experience, interests, and ambitions to the development of future Electrical (Wiring) Interconnection Systems for sustainable aircraft. Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems (EWIS) have become more prevalent as part of the More Electric Aircraft. Today, the journey to full Electric and Hybrid-Electric aircraft adds a new chapter to its technology significance. This includes both High Voltage High Power (HVHP) EWIS developments as well as disruptive technologies for the transmission of low voltage data signals.

Principal Design Engineer EWIS - Components & Environmental Testing

Job Summary

As an EWIS Principal Design Engineer, you will serve as the design authority within your specific area of expertise, leading the development and the validation & verification of EWIS components and constructions (component assemblies). In this role, you will define the technical direction for complex EWIS solutions, establish design strategies, and ensure robust, compliant, and high‑quality engineering outcomes across multiple projects.

Your responsibilities include leading trade‑off studies, defining component selection strategies, overseeing component and construction qualification, and delivering high‑quality technical documentation. You will collaborate closely with the Engineering Design Team, acting as a key decision‑maker and technical reference point for EWIS component design.

In this principal role, you will also mentor, coach, and technically guide Senior, Mid‑level, and Junior Design Engineers, ensuring consistent engineering excellence, reviewing critical work packages, and fostering the development of advanced EWIS domain expertise within the team. As capabilities expand in next‑generation EWIS technologies for future aircraft platforms, you will play a key role in shaping the technical roadmap and maturing these advanced competencies.

You will report to the Centre of Competence Manager – EWIS Components and Environmental Testing (ECE). For project‑specific activities, you will collaborate closely with the Technical Lead (Senior Engineer) and/or the Engineering Team Lead (ETL) within the Design team. In addition to receiving project direction, you will act as a design authority within your specific area of expertise, providing expert guidance, validating critical design decisions, and ensuring technical consistency across project deliverables.

What you'll do

• Serve as design authority for EWIS components and constructions (component assemblies).
• Lead development and validation & verification activities for EWIS component solutions.
• Define technical direction, design strategies, and ensure compliant, high‑quality engineering outcomes across multiple projects.
• Lead trade‑off studies and define component selection strategies.
• Oversee component and construction qualification.
• Deliver high‑quality technical documentation.
• Act as a key decision‑maker and technical reference point for EWIS component design.
• Mentor, coach, and technically guide engineers across seniority levels; review critical work packages and foster domain expertise.
• Contribute to shaping the technical roadmap for next‑generation EWIS technologies.

What you'll bring

• 10+ years of professional experience in a comparable engineering domain, ideally within aerospace, automotive, rail, or other high‑reliability transportation industries.
• Extensive system design background with proven leadership in complex, multidisciplinary aerospace and/or transportation system architectures.
• Expert‑level knowledge of electrical cable harness design, including deep component‑level understanding of connectors, terminals, backshells, splices, shielding, grounding, protective coverings, and integration constraints.
• Strong capability in defining and specifying parts, materials, and assemblies, with a clear understanding of component interactions, system‑level impacts, and design trade‑offs.
• Proficiency in interpreting and applying industry standards (e.g., DO‑160, ARP4754A, MIL‑STD, ISO standards) and translating them into practical design requirements.
• Advanced documentation and requirements management skills, including experience with tools such as Codebeamer or equivalent systems.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical reviews, resolve complex cross‑functional issues, and support design assurance and compliance activities.
• Highly analytical and proactive mindset, capable of diagnosing and resolving complex system‑level engineering challenges.
• Experience with qualification and certification processes, including effective communication and negotiation with suppliers, customers, and regulatory bodies.

Soft skills

• Assertiveness: willingness to learn and broaden knowledge; takes initiative to help improve processes and procedures.
• Teamwork: able to work constructively in a small (multicultural) team, taking responsibility for assigned tasks and supporting team targets and deadlines.
• Results-driven: able to plan work in line with project schedules and report progress regularly, including timely escalation of issues or delays.
• Self-learning: willing to learn and explore, share knowledge with colleagues, and improve yourself.
• Communication: excellent communication skills for collaboration with internal teams, suppliers, and regulatory bodies; fluent English in speech and writing; able to communicate clearly and concisely (including technical reports).
• Project management: basic project management skills.

Profile

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Aeronautical, Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline; an advanced degree is an advantage.
• Extensive professional experience—typically 10+ years in a high‑reliability engineering environment such as aerospace, automotive, medical devices, or other advanced electronics design and development domains, with a demonstrated track record of technical leadership and ownership.

What we'll offer

We are committed to offer you a challenge but also a great opportunity to learn and grow. We want to offer you a career that can go to many directions thanks to our breadth of international opportunities. We will support and promote your professional and personal development. Furthermore, the offer includes:

• 8% holiday allowance.
• 42 paid holidays for full-time employment in line with the Collective Labor Agreement Metalektro.
• An excellent pension scheme (PME) and travel allowance.
• A pleasant and informal working environment, in which we work together to achieve the best result for our customers.

Who we are

Aerospace

GKN Aerospace is a leading player in the design, manufacturing and support for Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems (EWIS) for Aerospace and Defense programs.