Senior Research Engineer - Mechanical Engineering

Company description:
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, were inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. Were proud to play a part in protecting the worlds democracies. And were committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet.

With over 16,000 employees globally, across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the worlds aircraft and engine manufacturers. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job description:

Job Summary Its great to know youre making a difference to the future of aviation! Whatever part you play youll be helping us deliver operational excellence to our customers. Based at our Luton manufacturing plant youll 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.

Were 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, youll bring your specialist knowledge in Material science and FEA simulation to deliver high-impact research and development across Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 17.

Youll 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, youll 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.

Job Responsibilities 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 strategic direction of the target products or manufacturing process technologies being developed within your technology field.

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. Take an active role in creating a personal development plan linked to GKN's TEF (Technical Excellence Framework) and will be responsible for delivering on agreed objectives supported by your line manager.

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. Profile description:
What You'll Bring To help us make a difference, youll bring…