Senior Research Engineer - Electrical Power Distribution Designer

Bristol, England, United Kingdom

12/4/2024

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

GKN’s Global Technology Centre (GTC) in Filton, Bristol is a £32m state of the art technology research and manufacturing process development facility which is a hub for world-class innovative technology for the next generation of fuel-efficient aircraft. It includes a collaborative space for research and development with universities, the UK’s CATAPULT network and GKN Aerospace’s UK supply chain, to help strengthen aerospace technology and support the UK’s Industrial strategy.

We are seeking a Senior Research Engineer to join the GKN Aerospace Electrical Network team, supporting the development of sustainable aerospace power and propulsion systems. This role focuses on designing and optimising Power Distribution Centres (PDCs) for hydrogen electric propulsion, playing a critical role in the £44 million H2FLYGHT project aimed at validating hydrogen propulsion for large civil aircraft.

The ideal candidate will have expertise in electrical distribution or switchboards, with desirable experience in aerospace, traction, or marine applications. They will be responsible for designing reliable, efficient, and safe PDCs, collaborating closely with teams across the UK and the Netherlands, particularly with Fokker-Elmo for unit manufacturing.

Key responsibilities include ensuring the PDC design meets aircraft power requirements, investigating micro-grid solutions, and working with multidisciplinary teams to meet safety and interface requirements. The role will primarily focus on the H2FLYGHT project with additional involvement in ICEFLIGHT.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead the concepting design of Power Distribution Centres for hydrogen propulsion aircraft
• Prepare technical documentation, including schematics, wiring diagrams and design reports
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure design requirements are met
• Provide inputs to design team for DMU and Bill of Materials considering different aspect ratios and concepts
• Work collaboratively with GKN Fokker-Elmo in the Netherlands
• Validate the Power Distribution Centres at a test site in the UK
• Strong organisation skills of self and others
• Internal & external technical relationships with Customers and suppliers.
  
  

What you'll bring

Essential

• Minimum B.Eng degree qualified in relevant subject
• Experience in LV/ MV electrical system design
• Experience in installation of electrical switching/ fault protection/ fault limiting devices
• Experience in electrical segregation requirements
  
  

Desirable

• Aerospace Industry experience or experience in Marine, traction or distribution
• Experience in Ground Protection
• Experience in switchboard/ distribution centre designs
• Experience in SCADA control solutions
• Proficient in CAD software
• Knowledge of EWIS standards and regulations
• Knowledge of control circuitry and sensors
  
  

We are looking for a self-motivated, creative problem solver who thrives in a dynamic environment and can effectively manage ambiguity. The ideal candidate is a strong collaborator with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, capable of engaging with diverse audiences. They are committed to maintaining a safe, organised, and clean workspace, and consistently seek innovative ways to improve productivity while contributing positively to a team-oriented atmosphere.

What We'll Offer

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

• Competitive salary dependant on experience
• Opportunity to earn up to 15 %bonus
• Hybrid working – giving you the opportunity to balance home and office working
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis
• Life Assurance 8 x salary
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Income protection
• Shopping discounts
• Cycle To Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• 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!

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.