Design Engineer

Job Summary

This role is a Design Engineer within the Transparencies team at our Luton manufacturing plant, responsible for supporting new and existing programs such as Fast jet canopies, Helicopter Windscreens and Flight Deck Windows.

• Develop design solutions compliant to customer, regulatory and airworthiness requirements within assigned programmes/projects budget and timescale.
• Create and maintain design definition documents including drawings, specifications, and reports detailing dimensions, materials, manufacturing process requirements and tolerances needed to ensure functional design requirements are met.
• Understand the qualification process of products and prepare compliance documentation to internal, customer and regulatory requirements where applicable.
• Represent Design Engineering in Integrated Program Teams (IPT) and Material Review Board (MRB).
• Identify and resolve product non‑compliances with drawings, specifications or standards, providing technical support by implementing solutions to address non‑conforming products and creating supporting documents such as permits, concessions, rework schemes.
• Support internal and external technical reviews, including formal gate reviews by creating and preparing technical data and presentations of product design.
• 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.
• Ensure EHS policy and process adherence for your activities and contribute to a proactive EHS culture in the wider team.
• Take an active role in team engagement surveys, activities and in creating a personal development plan supported by your line manager.

• New product development activities including requirements management, geometric design, materials selection, specifications, product verification, qualification and certification testing.
• Product sustaining activities including MRB, customer concession management, manufacturing problem solving, engineering change management and in‑service technical support as part of an Integrated Programme Team.
• Continuous improvement of products, processes, tools and design handbooks to ensure the highest standards of quality and compliance to evolving customer, regulatory and airworthiness requirements.

Core operational hours at the Luton site are Monday to Thursday, 07:30-16:30, and Friday, 07:30-12:30. Some flexibility may be available, subject to agreement with manager. There may also be an opportunity to work from home one day per week, depending on business needs. Occasional travel, both nationally and internationally, may be required to meet suppliers, customers and visit other GKN Aerospace sites.

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical or any relevant Engineering field.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, able to create clear, concise and accurate technical content.
• Logical and methodical approach to task planning and an evidence-based approach to decision making and problem solving.
• Able to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Working knowledge of MS Office suite.

• Previous experience in Aerospace sector.
• Experience of Configuration Control & Change Management.
• Awareness of Aerospace certification requirements.
• Experience of using CAD software, preferably CATIA V5.
• Experience of using SAP.

• Competitive salary dependent on experience.
• Industry leading pension scheme – we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1:1.5 basis.
• Life Assurance 8x salary.
• 185 hours holiday + bank holidays.
• Income protection.
• Shopping discounts.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family.
• Electric Vehicle (EV) salary sacrifice scheme (insurance, servicing, maintenance, roadside assistance and more included).
• Free onsite parking.
• Local gym discount.
• Free airport parking.
• Enhanced family-friendly leave.
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment.

The position requires UK National Security Vetting (UKNSV) Security clearance (SC) due to the nature and responsibilities of the work carried out. Usually, the candidate must have been resident in the United Kingdom for a minimum of 5 years. We assess each case individually.

Please note:

Some GKN Aerospace programmes are subject to regulatory restrictions which may impact certain Nationalities. As part of the application process you may be asked to declare.