Research Engineer - Metallic Processing

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 we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn.in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

Situated within our £32m state of the art Global Technology Centre (GTC) in Filton, Bristol, and as a result of continued growth across our programmes, a further opportunity has arisen for a Research Engineer with both knowledge and experience in metallic processing, joining, bonding, & welding to join us, and to help shape the future of flight. You will draw on your diverse engineering background and product lifecycle awareness to progress a variety of research and development activity in the TRL1-6 range.

You will undertake technical work, as well as manage budgeting, schedule and risks with minimal supervision, achieving both individually and with others exhibiting a logical and methodical approach to problem solving. Your proactive nature will enable you to understand and adapt to new technology areas quickly. Your good communication skills will be used to confidently engage with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.

Whatever stage of your career you are at, you will be an integral member of the GTC technology team, working on developing advanced composite manufacturing processes for current and future aircraft wing applications. We are looking for people who want to make a difference, talented individuals with the skills and passion to become future leaders in what they do.

The Programme

This programme will see you will primarily working on the GKN Aerospace led, ATI funded, MASTER research and development project. This presents a prime opportunity to develop advanced metallic solutions for aerospace, delivering against the requirements of the future, and the unique opportunity the UK has to meet them.

The MASTER project will focus in developing highly efficient and sustainable manufacturing techniques in the TRL3-5 range, to deliver components and assemblies for a range of future aircraft including large commercial jets, hydrogen powered platforms and urban air mobility.

Through collective collaboration, MASTER consortium partners will demonstrate how companies can share data and work effectively to deliver sustainable manufacturing, building the future for a UK-based sustainable supply chain.

Job Responsibilities

• You will work with academic and industrial research partners by identifying and investigating technical challenges which must be overcome to make a step change in welding, bonding, joining and other metallic processing technologies.
• You will support Work Stream Leaders and Project Managers to deliver advances in TRL (Technology Readiness Level) for metallic manufacturing technologies.
• You will manage budgets and projects by ensuring schedules and finances are well controlled, up to date and communicated to stakeholders, both tactically and in a longer multi-year strategic plan.
• You will also be hands-on, preparing and operating various pieces of equipment for experimentation and analysis of specimens. E.g. Mechanical test machines, microscopes, metrology equipment and various other manufacturing equipment.
• You will scope and commission external work and undertake technical work with in-house equipment, following up with detailed record keeping and analysis of technical data.
• You will contribute to technical documentation, including reports, Technology Development Plans (TDPs) and Technology Business Cases (TBCs).
• You will ensure your knowledge in metallic manufacturing technologies remains relevant, as well as sharing this knowledge with your colleagues.
• You will continually improve our ways of working inside R&D, engaging positively with other teams and functions.
• You will ensure adherence to EH&S policies and procedures for your activities, and you will contribute to a proactive EH&S culture in the wider team.
• You will 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 We're Looking For:

In order to be successful in this role you will bring the following experience and attributes:

Essential

• Degree-qualified in Engineering (or equivalent i.e. Aerospace/Mechanical/ HND equivalent or Degree Apprenticeship)
• Possess a specialist knowledge of one or more core metallic manufacturing technologies such as welding, forming, metal bonding, machining or metallic additive manufacturing.
• Demonstrable experience of preparing and operating key pieces of equipment for experimentation and analysis of specimens. E.g. mechanical test machines, microscopes, metrology equipment, 3D printers.
• Demonstrable experience in delivering improvements within research or technology environments; where the goal/vision needs individual initiative to deliver work to an excellent standard.
• Possess a good general awareness of the product lifecycle including design, materials, manufacturing and end of life.
• Knowledge and experience in documenting complex problems to a high standard of technical authorship.

Desirable:

• A higher degree qualification such as a Masters, PhD or EngD
• Chartered Engineer with a relevant institution
• Experience in aerospace industry or a manufacturing environment would be advantageous.

What We're Offering:

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

• Competitive salary
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis
• Life Assurance 8 x salary
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Income protection
• Shopping discounts
• Cycle To Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• 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. That’s the beauty of being part of a global business, once you’re on board you never know where you career journey may take you!

We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working

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. It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.

We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.