Research Specialist Special Coatings Technology

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, Agusta Westland, AW101, Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed, Martin F-22 Raptor. Our customers include Boeing, 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 and coatings, and specialist structures for both civil and defence applications.

Were looking for a Research Specialist - Special Coatings Technology to join our coatings development team based at our Luton Manufacturing facility, to support the development of next generation high performance transparency polymer coatings, icephobic coatings and coating manufacturing processes. As a Research Specialist you will bring your knowledge in polymer coatings development, processing, application and coating testing techniques 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 support to existing programmes within your field of expertise, helping to resolve manufacturing issues and supporting continuous improvement efforts. You will have a track record of delivering high quality technical work, with experience of working within a project environment.

You will have good written and oral communication skills, and be confident working with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders, including non-technical colleagues. As this is a research role we are looking for a hands on innovative thinker, your work should push the boundaries of conventional coating technologies, application and evaluation/testing techniques. Core operational hours at our Luton site are: 07:30 - 16:30 Monday to Thursday & 07:30 - 12:30 Friday.

Job Responsibilities Responsible for the technical delivery of allocated project tasks, deliverables, or project work packages, ensuring the research objectives have been satisfied. Support or lead any necessary 'hands on' development test work and development trials that are required to meet project objectives. Contribute to Technology Development Plans, Project definitions and may support creation of Technology Business Cases and external funding proposals as required.

Support project stakeholder engagement activities including customer presentations and reviews, and you may lead management of supply chain partners activities in some cases. Ensure EHS policy and process adherence for your activities, and you will contribute to a proactive EHS culture in the wider team. Profile description:
What You'll Bring To help us make a difference, youll bring your passion and talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:
Essential: A relevant, accredited Chemistry / Materials/ Coatings based degree. Knowledge /

Experience of coating development, application technology and materials testing.

Experience of test/experimental design, and practical execution in laboratory or test facility conditions to defined standards. Logical and methodical approach to task planning. Good report writing and presentation skills. Desirable: A higher degree qualification such as a Masters, PhD or EngD. An awareness of aerospace certification requirements. The position requires UK National Security Vetting (UKNSV) Security clearance (SC) due to the nature and responsibilities of…