Senior Research Engineer/Specialist, EWIS

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity set 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

Within GKN Aerospace, GKN Fokker Elmo's Research & Technology (R&T) department is looking for an ambitious Senior Research Engineer/Specialist who wants to apply their Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems (EWIS) design experience to the development of future EWIS product solutions for sustainable aircraft. EWIS has become increasingly significant as part of the More Electric Aircraft, and today’s journey to Hybrid-Electric and Full-Electric aircraft adds a new chapter to its technology importance.

What you'll do

You will be part of the team developing EWIS product solutions that can be installed in confined spaces and/or with significantly lower weight, typically aimed at harsh environments (e.g. wing, pylon, engine). This includes the development of innovative EWIS components and constructions for non-propulsive high voltage power signals as well as low voltage power and data signals. The development is linked to customer demonstrator projects, providing an exploitation route for the technology being developed.

In developing new EWIS components and constructions, you will go through requirement definition, perform conceptual and detailed construction design, conduct trade-offs, define production methodologies, build samples, and perform tests for validation and verification (V&V) purposes. This development will include the maturation and compliance demonstration towards higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRL).

• Be responsible for the planning and technical delivery of allocated projects and/or work packages, ensuring the research objectives have been satisfied.
• Plan, coordinate, and lead any necessary 'hands on' development test work and trials required to meet delivery objectives, ensuring all relevant safe systems of work are satisfied.
• Support or coordinate external work packages to be carried out by eco-system partners (e.g. universities, knowledge institutes, industrial partners) and suppliers to meet project research objectives.
• Be responsible for raising and issuing high quality and detailed technical documentation, and review and approval of reports raised by others.
• Contribute to Technology Development Plans and Technology Business Cases within your projects and technology field.
• Contribute to stakeholder management with internal/external customers, and you may lead management of supply chain partners in some cases.
• 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 you'll bring

Knowledge, experience and qualifications:

• Master/Bachelor degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Knowledge and experience with (electric) aircraft systems and related design of EWIS with commercial/defense aircraft, Advanced Air Mobility, Engines, and other harsh environments.
• Knowledge and experience in DoE, efficient testing methods of electrical and/or mechanical products.
• Knowledge and experience in EMC and electrical theory/behavior of low voltage (analog and digital) signals and high voltage signals within EWIS products.
• Experience in safety/risk analyses of EWIS systems.
• Experience in requirements definition and management.
• Experience in design verification (prepare and execute testing and/or analysis).

Skills:

• Can think and communicate at multiple levels of abstraction, including conceptual thinking (low TRL) up to more detailed design and V&V (high TRL).
• Ability to define and translate requirements into development of components and constructions for EWIS products.
• Be pragmatic and goal-oriented, for example in performing experiments or making samples.
• A self-starter with good communication skills is a must.

Core competences:

• Analytical ability: able to think at an abstract level and identify interrelationships.
• Innovative: has creative ideas to improve processes and products, and translates them into action.
• Initiative: is proactive, assertive, and takes the initiative to ensure performance and delivery.
• Collaboration: has a constructive approach to the ideas of others and is able to work harmoniously.

What we'll offer

We are committed to offering you a challenge but also a great opportunity to learn and grow. We want to offer you a career that can go in many directions thanks to our breadth of international opportunities. By being part of GKN Aerospace, which has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry, you will know that you are working towards being the most trusted partner in the aerospace industry. We will support and promote your professional and personal development.

• The role is in Grade L1 and according to the CLA Metalektro.
• 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.

Next to the attractive package, we will offer you a world of opportunities: we want to see your career fly! We will support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities.

Who we are

GKN Fokker Elmo is a leading player in the design, manufacturing, and support of EWIS. Our innovative tools and processes support Civil, Defense, and Engine OEMs worldwide and represent a Unique Selling Point.

GKN Aerospace is the world’s leading tier one aerospace supplier of systems and components. With over 16,000 employees across 32 manufacturing locations and 4 Global Technology Centers, we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers with sales of £3.5bn.

An innovative and international workplace in a company with a rich history in the field of aircraft construction. The company has a passion for technology and their staff is rightly proud of what they develop and build. At GKN Fokker Elmo, you will get every opportunity to build your career and work on your personal development!

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