Materials Development Research Engineer

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, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn.in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

It’s great to know you’re making a difference to the future of aviation! Whatever part you play you’ll be helping us deliver operational excellence to our customers. Based at our Luton manufacturing plant you’ll 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, Dreamliner, Airbus A320, AgustaWestland, 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.

We’re 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 07:30–16:30 Monday to Thursday and 07:30–12:30 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

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.

What You'll Bring

Essential

To help us make a difference, you’ll bring your passion and talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:

• A relevant, accredited Materials, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry or Physics degree or relevant industry experience
• Experience in Polymer and Composite material science and processing
• Good general engineering/technology knowledge base and can demonstrate strategic thinking.
• Good working knowledge of general industrial manufacturing processes, and an interest in understanding new and emerging techniques.
• Experience within an industrial engineering discipline, preferably within Aerospace/Automotive/Marine/Energy sectors
• Logical and methodical approach to work package planning and costing.
• Strong self-starter, competent to work with general goal-based direction as well as more specific task-based requirements.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, and can confidently translate complex information to a variety of audiences and you are able to represent your project(s) and GKN values in internal/external review meetings
  
  

Desirable

• A higher degree qualification such as a Masters, PhD or EngD Chartered Engineer with a relevant institution
• Experience managing deployed resources (people you lead but you are not their line manager).
• Experience engaging with production teams and you can identify operational requirements and incorporate in to your project(s) as appropriate and as agreed.
  
  

We are looking for people who want to make a difference, talented members with the skills and passions to become the best of the future in what they do.

Note: Some GKN programmes are subject to regulatory restrictions which may impact certain nationalities. As part of the application process you will be asked to declare when applying for this role.

The position requires UK National Security Vetting (UKNSV) Security clearance (SC) due to the nature and responsibilities of the work carried out. In order for us to obtain an SC you usually need to have been resident in the UK for a minimum of 5 years to current date (but we do assess each case individually).

What We'll Offer

Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:

• 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 8 x 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

Free onsite parking

Local gym discount

Free airport parking

Enhanced family friendly leave

A collaborative, dynamic working environment

As well as a competitive package we’ll offer you a world of opportunity. We want to see your career fly! We’ll support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities. That’s the beauty of being part of a global business, once you’re on board you never know where you career journey may take you!

Join us and keep the world moving … click on the link below to apply

We’ll 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?

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.

We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.