Research Engineer; Manufacturing Process Development

Research Engineer (Manufacturing Process Development) GKN Aerospace – Luton, GB

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.

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, 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. The Luton team is focusses on developing product and manufacturing process technology related to aircraft ice protection systems and specialist structures for both civil and defence applications.

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 look for an innovative thinker to push the boundaries of conventional engineering in terms of the design and integration of state‑of‑the‑art manufacturing processes while appreciating aerospace certification requirements. You’ll be comfortable travelling within the UK when needed, with occasional international travel.

• 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.
• Accurately capture and record data and results from test work and development trials.
• Raise and issue 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.
• Support project stakeholder management with internal/external customers, and 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 deliver on agreed objectives supported by your line manager.
• Ensure EHS policy and process adherence for your activities, and 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, care & respect, and ownership.

• A relevant professional qualification such as HNC/HND/ Degree in engineering (e.g. Automotive,…