GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! 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.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. 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 Luton site is home to 370+ employees and onsite facilities including onsite parking, food hub and vending machines.
The Luton Engineering & Technology team is focused on developing product and manufacturing process technology related to aircraft ice protection systems, transparencies and coatings, and specialist structures for both civil and defence applications.
We are looking for a Design Engineer to join our Ice protection systems team to support site sustainment design engineering enquiries and provide general department support as needed.
As a Design Engineer you will be responsible for creating and maintaining product definition and ensuring ongoing product performance against requirements. Product sustaining activities including Material Review Board (MRB), Customer concession management, manufacturing problem solving, Engineering change management and in service technical support to our customers as a part of an Integrated Programme Team.
Continuous improvement of products, processes, tools and design handbooks to ensure the highest standards of quality and compliance to evolving customer, regulatory, and airworthiness requirements.
New product development activities including requirements management, geometric design, materials selection, tooling, manufacturing process development and assembly methods, specifications, product verification, qualification and certification testing.
As a Design Engineer within the Engineering and Technology Department you will also have the opportunity to contribute to high-impact research and development projects within your field of expertise. You will have a track record of delivering high quality technical work, and be comfortable within a project environment. Core operational hours at our Luton site are 07:30–16:30, Monday to Thursday, and 07:30–12:30 on Friday. The role also requires flexibility to undertake occasional travel to meet business needs; however, such travel will be infrequent.
Develop design solutions compliant to cost and manufacturing requirements using appropriate techniques for design such as Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) and design to cost.
Create and maintain detailed design definition (drawings / specifications) including interfaces, dimensions, materials, parts, manufacturing process requirements, assemblies, and tolerances needed to ensure product functional design requirements are met, knowledge of tolerance analysis would be advantageous.
Deliver assigned project deliverables including drawings, documents, reports and specifications according to the relevant procedures.
Identify test methods and/or alternate means of compliance (analysis/similarity) as required to demonstrate design solution complies with requirements.
Understand the qualification process of products and prepare compliance documentation to internal, customer, and regulatory requirements where applicable.
Represent Design Engineering function in Material Review Board (MRB) and Integrated Program Teams (IPT)
You will ensure EHS policy and process adherence for your activities, and you will contribute to a proactive EHS culture in the wider team.
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:
Hold an accredited relevant Engineering qualification at Bachelor level or equivalent experience
Experience of creating models and drawings using CAD software
Experience of Configuration Control & Change Management and use of PLM systems
Logical and methodical approach to task planning and be able to demonstrate an evidence-based approach to decision making and problem solving.
Good oral and written communication skills, being able to create clear, concise and accurate technical content.
Working knowledge of MS Office suite.
Experience of using CATIA V5 software
Experience of using SAP
As Design Engineer you will be naturally curious, and show a strong interest in aviation and aerospace engineering technology. Note: Some GKN programmes are subject to regulatory restrictions which may impact certain nationalities. 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
~ Shopping discounts
~ Cycle To Work Scheme
~ Employee Assistance Programme
~ Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family
~ Free onsite parking
~ Local gym discount
~50% off local travel card
~ Free airport Dart
~ Free airport parking
~ Discount with local nursery and preschool childcare setting
~ Enhanced family friendly leave
~ We’ll support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?
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’.