Senior Research Engineer; Mechanical Engineering

Overview

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

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  2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

It’s great to know you’re making a difference to the future of aviation! Whatever part you play you’ll be helping us deliver operational excellence to our customers. Based at our Luton manufacturing plant you’ll do just that. Established in 1993, GKN Aerospace in Luton is a world leader in commercial and military ice protection systems and transparencies. Offering a full range of capabilities;

design, analysis, testing, certification and manufacture of electro-thermal ice protection, military fast jet canopies and flight deck windows to over 20 programmes including:
Boeing 787, Dream liner, Airbus A320, Agusta Westland, AW101, Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed, Martin F-22 Raptor. Our customers include Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Bell Helicopters, Textron, BAE Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Leonardo. Our Luton site is home to 370+ employees and onsite facilities including onsite parking, food hub and vending machines.

The Luton Engineering & Technology team is focussed on developing product and manufacturing process technology related to aircraft ice protection systems, transparencies, functional coatings, and specialist structures for both civil and defence applications.

We’re looking for a Senior Research Engineer, with a strong mechanical engineering background
, to join our materials development team to support the development of next generation composite aero structures, ice protection and transparency products.

As a Senior Research Engineer, you’ll bring your specialist knowledge in Material science and FEA simulation to deliver high-impact research and development across Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 1–7. You’ll be responsible for ensuring that all research outputs are technically robust, innovative, and aligned with our broader engineering and sustainability goals.

You will also be responsible for providing specialist support to existing programmes within your field of expertise, helping to resolve manufacturing issues and supporting continuous improvement efforts.

You will have a proven track record of leading and delivering technical work, including experience of working with formal project management processes including budgeting, schedule and risk management. With strong communication skills, you’ll be confident working with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders, including non-technical audiences. You're likely building a professional network and are passionate about keeping pace with developments in your field.

As this is a research role we are looking for a hands on innovative thinker, your work should push the boundaries of existing technologies and applications.

• Be responsible for the planning and technical delivery of allocated projects and work packages ensuring the research objectives have been satisfied.
• Plan, coordinate and lead any necessary 'hands on' development test work and trials that are required to meet delivery objectives ensuring all relevant safe systems of work are satisfied.
• Support or lead the design of external work packages to be carried out by third parties in order to meet project research objectives.
• You may have line management responsibilities, depending on individual competencies and team structure, though this is not a core requirement.
• Be responsible for raising and issuing high quality and detailed technical documentation, and review and approval of reports raised by others.
• Seek to understand and contribute to the…