Senior Systems Engineer; Electronics

Job Summary

Based at our Luton manufacturing plant you’ll work as a Senior Systems Engineer (Electronics) to support the design and development of aircraft ice protection systems. You will conduct research activities in the TRL1‑6 range, produce analysis and design data through modelling and simulation of in‑flight icing behaviour, and provide technical support to customers and third‑party users of the icing wind tunnel.

Core operational hours at our Luton site are 07:30 - 16:30 Monday to Thursday and 07:30 - 12:30 Friday. The role requires flexibility for occasional national travel and offers the opportunity to work from home up to two days per week, depending on business need.

• Technical delivery of allocated project deliverables or work packages, ensuring research objectives are met.
• Budget, schedule and risk management of Work Streams or Work Packages.
• Lead or support hands‑on development test work and trials required for delivery.
• Design of external work packages for third parties to meet research objectives.
• Accurate capture and recording of data and results from test work and development trials.
• Prepare and issue high‑quality technical documentation.
• Understand the strategic direction of target products or manufacturing process technologies within the project.
• Prepare Technology Development Plans and Technology Business Cases.
• Update planning documentation regularly and maintain delivery on track.
• Explore exploitation routes and support industrialisation scenario development.
• Manage project stakeholder relationships with internal and external customers and supply chain partners.
• Develop a personal development plan aligned with GKN’s TEF and deliver on agreed objectives.
• Ensure EHS policy and process adherence and contribute to a proactive EHS culture.
• Support the development of GKN as a ‘Great Place to Work’ aligned with core principles.

Essential:

• HNC, degree or equivalent experience in electrical or systems engineering.
• Experience delivering designs for electro‑mechanical, sensing or controller systems within an engineering environment.
• Experience of electronic PCB design.
• Good general engineering/technology knowledge base and evidence of strategic thinking.
• Working knowledge of aerodynamics and an appreciation of physics‑based modelling approaches for thermodynamic analysis.
• Experience of test/experimental design and practical execution in laboratory or test facility conditions to defined standards, and ability to contribute to new test methods.
• Strong self‑starter with the ability to execute tasks according to plan.
• Logical and methodical approach to task planning.
• Experience managing deployed resources (people you lead but who are not your line manager).
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information to a variety of audiences and to represent your project(s) and GKN values in review meetings.

Desirable:

• Higher degree qualification such as a Masters, PhD or EngD.
• General awareness of budget and schedule management.
• Awareness of aerospace certification requirements.
• Experience of the Systems Development Life‑Cycle process.
• An established professional network within the wider aerospace technology and engineering field.

• Competitive salary dependent on experience.
• Opportunity to earn up to 15% bonus.
• Industry‑leading Pension Scheme – match contributions up to 8% on a 1:1.5 basis.
• Life Assurance 8× salary.
• 185 hours holiday plus bank holidays.
• Income protection.
• Shopping discounts and Cycle To Work Scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family.
• Electric Vehicle (EV) salary sacrifice scheme (includes insurance, servicing, maintenance, roadside assistance and more).
• Free onsite parking and 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 of the work. Applicants typically need to have been resident in the UK for a minimum of 5 years, although each case is assessed individually.

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN.

We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process; if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know.