Materials Development Research Engineer

Company description: 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. Well offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry;

and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?

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. Were looking for a Materials Development Research Engineer with a strong non-metallic materials engineering background, to support the production and development of next generation composite aero structures, ice protection and transparency products.

You will draw on your diverse engineering background and product lifecycle awareness to progress a variety of research activity in the TRL1-6 range. The role will provide a deep understanding of the interactions between processing parameters and material properties of Acrylics, Polycarbonates and adhesives, being able to guide new technology test plans and process/product development. Occasional UK travel to customers and suppliers is required.

Core working hours at our Luton site are 07:3016:30 Monday to Thursday and 07:3012:30 on Fridays. There is the opportunity to work from home up to two days per week subject to business needs.

Job Responsibilities Development of manufacturing processes in relation to polymer, composite and adhesive materials Qualification of materials and processes to assure they comply with the requirements Support robust, manufacturing process technologies as applied to materials, Collect inputs, related to a task and take it through an identified process to produce an output / deliverable adhering to quality and schedule requirements. Preparing and guiding tests/test plans;

critical and systematic interpretation and analysis of test data. Responsible for the technical delivery of allocated project 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 your Work Package/Work Stream delivery objectives. Support or lead the design of external work packages to be carried out by third parties to meet project research objectives.

Responsible for accurately capturing and recording data and results from test work and development trials. Responsible for raising and issuing high quality and detailed technical documentation. Seek to understand the strategic direction of the target products or manufacturing process technologies being developed within your project(s). Contribute to Technology Development Plans and Technology Business Cases within your project(s). Contribute to multi-year planning and internal/external funding proposals as required.

Suggest and explore exploitation routes, aligned with the guidance of the Work Stream Lead. You may support project 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 and will be responsible for delivering on agreed objectives supported by your line manager.

Ensure EHS policy and process adherence for your activities, and you will contribute to a proactive EHS culture in the wider team. Contribute to the development of GKN as a 'Great Place to Work', aligned with the core principles - safe, innovative, open & honest,…