Research Engineer (Manufacturing Process Development)
UK Visa Sponsorship Analytics
Occupation Type
Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified.
Occupation Code Skill LevelHigher Skilled
Sponsorship Salary Threshold
£46,100
(£23.64 per hour)
Occupation rate applies
Above analytics are generated algorithmically based on job titles and may not always be the same as the company's job classification. You can also check detailed occupation eligibility, and salary criteria on our UK Visa Eligible Occupations & Salary Thresholds page.
Disclaimer: Hunt UK Visa Sponsors aggregates job listings from publicly available sources, such as search engines, to assist with your job hunting. We do not claim affiliation with GKN Aerospace. For the most up-to-date job details, please visit the official website by clicking "Apply Now."
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, 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, Lockhe
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, Lockhe
ed 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 team is focussed on developing product and manufacturing process technology related to aircraft ice protection systems and specialist structures for both civil and defence applications. The areas of activity cover but is not limited to: Electro-thermal systems and Electro-mechanical systems, Specialist materials and coating systems, Embedded and structural composites, Aircraft transparencies, Icing modelling and analysis, Sensing and data acquisition, Electrical and software control systems and digital engineering / manufacturing.
We are seeking a Research Engineer to develop and mature manufacturing process technology to enable low cost, high rate and high-yield manufacturing of aircraft structures with embedded ice protection capability, with a focus on automation and digitalisation to drive innovation and manufacturing excellence.
As this is a research role, we are looking for an innovative thinker, your work should push the boundaries of conventional engineering in terms of the design and integration of state-of-the-art manufacturing processes whilst appreciating aerospace certification requirements.
You’ll be comfortable travelling within the UK when needed, with occasional opportunities for international travel depending on programme demands.
Job Responsibilities
The Luton team is focussed on developing product and manufacturing process technology related to aircraft ice protection systems and specialist structures for both civil and defence applications. The areas of activity cover but is not limited to: Electro-thermal systems and Electro-mechanical systems, Specialist materials and coating systems, Embedded and structural composites, Aircraft transparencies, Icing modelling and analysis, Sensing and data acquisition, Electrical and software control systems and digital engineering / manufacturing.
We are seeking a Research Engineer to develop and mature manufacturing process technology to enable low cost, high rate and high-yield manufacturing of aircraft structures with embedded ice protection capability, with a focus on automation and digitalisation to drive innovation and manufacturing excellence.
As this is a research role, we are looking for an innovative thinker, your work should push the boundaries of conventional engineering in terms of the design and integration of state-of-the-art manufacturing processes whilst appreciating aerospace certification requirements.
You’ll be comfortable travelling within the UK when needed, with occasional opportunities for international travel depending on programme demands.
Job Responsibilities
- Responsible for the technical delivery of allocated project deliverables, or project work packages, ensuring the research objectives have been satisfied.
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 professional qualification such as HNC/HND/ Degree in engineering (e.g. Automotive, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical)
- Good working knowledge of general industrial manufacturing processes, and an interest in understanding new and emerging techniques.
- Good working knowledge of AS9145 APQP/PPAP requirements and tools supporting Zero Defect Manufacturing approaches.
- Good working knowledge of Lean manufacturing philosophies and Six Sigma / Statistical techniques for process control and problem solving.
- A logical and methodical approach to task planning.
- Good report writing and presentation skills, able to support and present at internal and external technical and project review meetings.
- A higher degree qualification such as a Masters, PhD or EngD
- Experience of working with and configuring PLC’s (Siemens)
- Experience of working with and configuring SCADA systems.
- Proficient in operating and configuring industrial equipment, in particular ABB robotic systems including the use of Robot Studio software.
The ideal candidate will have experience in equipment procurement, including Capex generation, equipment specification, supplier management, commissioning and buy‑off. They will also bring working knowledge of AS9145 APQP/PPAP—particularly MSA, PFMEA and SPC—along with a general understanding of aerospace product certification and qualification requirements.
As a Research Engineer
, you will bring an adaptable approach to your work and be comfortable collaborating with colleagues across different areas of expertise to achieve project objectives. You will be naturally curious, proactively deepening your technical knowledge through study, experimentation, hypothesis testing and cross‑functional collaboration. Your proactive mindset will enable you to quickly understand and adapt to new technology areas, while your strong communication skills will allow you to confidently engage with a wide range of internal stakeholders.
This 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).
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.
What We'll Offer
Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:
This 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).
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.
What We'll Offer
Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:
- Competitive salary dependent on experience
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.
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.