Senior Research Engineer

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

Are you a proactive, commercially aware Engineer looking for your next role as a Senior Machining Research Engineer? We are looking for a high potential, dedicated professional who thrives when working across a broad and diverse team.

You will lead technical work and budgeting, schedule and risk in the product lifecycle, progressing a variety of research activities in the TRL1-6 range. You will be capable of translating complex engineering principals to a wide audience, while achieving tasks and long term goals through others. You will be committed to developing your own skills and professional network, supported by the wider resources within GKN. As a Senior Research Engineer you may be expected to lead a small team (2-3) of Research Engineers.

Job Responsibilities

• Collaborate with academic partners to tackle technical challenges
• Support Work Stream leads and Project Managers in advancing TRL for metallic manufacturing technologies
• Prepare technology development plans and business cases
• Maintain and update project plans, ensuring progress towards deliverables and milestones
• Build and manage relationships with ecosystem partners for high-standard, valuable outcomes
• Visit ecosystem partners to discuss, agree on project work, and check progress
• Operate equipment for experimentation and analysis (e.g., CNC machines, mechanical test machines, microscopes, metrology equipment, 3D printers)
• Contribute to multi-year planning and funding proposals
• Perform technical work, maintain detailed records, analyze data, and create technical reports
• Stay current in metallic manufacturing technologies
• Propose continuous improvements and engage positively with other teams and functions
  

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:

Essential:

• A relevant, accredited engineering degree
• Hands on experience in machining and one or more core metallic manufacturing technologies such as forming, metallic additive manufacturing
• Experience of planning and managing research projects and budgets of £50k+
• Experience of technical report writing

Desirable:

• A higher degree qualification such as a Masters, PhD or EngD
• Worked previously in R&D environment and project management
• Previously used CAD-CAM (CATIA) and CNC program verification software such as NC simul or Vericut
• Operation of CNC machines
• Experience using Finite Element Method software such as Abaqus, ANSYS

We are seeking a proactive self-starter who excels with both goal-based direction and specific task requirements. The ideal candidate will be an experienced team player with a flexible approach to work, dedicated to fostering a culture of innovation. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential, as is the ability to confidently translate complex information for diverse audiences and effectively represent projects and GKN values in internal and external review meetings.

What We'll Offer

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

• Competitive salary dependant on experience
• Opportunity to earn up to 15 %bonus
• Hybrid working – giving you the opportunity to balance home and office working
• 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.

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