Head of Systems, Safety and Reliability

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

GKN’s Global Technology Centre (GTC) in Filton, Bristol is a £32m state of the art technology research and manufacturing process development facility which is a hub for world-class innovative technology for the next generation of fuel-efficient aircraft. It includes a collaborative space for research and development with universities, the UK’s CATAPULT network and GKN Aerospace’s UK supply chain, to help strengthen aerospace technology and support the UK’s Industrial strategy.

We are seeking to recruit a Manager for Systems, Reliability and Safety (SRS) who is responsible for leading and developing our Hydrogen Systems domain capability.

Reporting to the Engineering Director, you will be responsible for developing and managing the Systems, Safety & Reliability capability (Staff, Resources & methods) for our novel Zero Emissions Hydrogen fuel and Propulsion systems. The role requires strategic insight and a desire to innovate our SRS approach across a wide range of disciplines in this new exciting engineering development venture.

How You'll Contribute

• Lead and manage staff within the SRS function, fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment.
• Provide technical leadership and direction across the hydrogen systems domain, serving as a likely Technical Authority Signatory.
• Develop and advance the SRS functional capability roadmap, encompassing people, systems, partnerships, and tools.
• Apply a balanced approach to governance and progress using "best fit" logic in research and technology projects.
• Leverage and promote systems engineering across the broader hydrogen systems engineering team and exemplify its application within the wider GKN ecosystem.
• Drive positive change by acting as a change agent with strong influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Oversee portfolio-level projects and functional development, providing technical leadership in program management, planning, resource provisioning, budgeting, and project earned value reporting to functional and enterprise standards.
• Deliver SRS resources deployed (via matrix) to Programme Chief Engineers, ensuring alignment with organisational needs.
• Maintain strong, collaborative relationships with internal and external customers and key stakeholders across the business.
• Foster and champion GKN’s five principles within your sphere of influence.

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:

• Bachelor or Master Degree in Systems Engineering or equivalent
• Highly experienced in Systems engineering, Reliability & Safety of aircraft equipment
• Experience managing a validation and verification programme, including test
• Previously managed and ideally held departmental leadership position for Systems, Safety & Reliability engineering staff & can demonstrate ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive organizational change
• Previously held technical approval authority
• Proven expertise in MBSE methodologies and tools (e.g., SysML, Cameo, Rhapsody).
• Strong knowledge of safety and reliability standards (e.g., ISO 26262, MIL-STD-882, IEC 61508).

We are seeking a passionate and results-driven leader who inspires others to achieve program and business goals by fostering a safe, supportive, and growth-oriented environment. The ideal candidate communicates priorities and expectations clearly, builds strong relationships across diverse teams, and thrives in collaborative settings. With a relentless focus on execution, they deliver consistent results, link actions to priorities, and meet commitments with rigor and tenacity. They possess the courage to make tough decisions, take initiative, and drive impactful outcomes. Committed to empowering others, they invest in developing future capabilities through coaching, constructive feedback, and delegation, while demonstrating a hunger for continuous learning and personal growth.

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 your 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?

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. Name Surname, role

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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