Company 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, were inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. Were proud to play a part in protecting the worlds democracies. And were committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees globally, across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the worlds aircraft and engine manufacturers. There are no limits to where you can take your career.
Job description:
Job Summary
Youll be making a real contribution to the future of aviation. Whatever your role, youll play a part in delivering operational excellence for our customers, based at our Luton manufacturing facility. Established in 1993, GKN Aerospace Luton is a world leader in commercial and military ice protection systems and transparencies. The site offers a full breadth of capability, including design, analysis, testing, certification, and manufacture of electro-thermal ice protection systems, military fast-jet canopies, and flight deck windows. Our products support more than 20 aircraft programmes, including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A320, AgustaWestland AW101, Eurofighter Typhoon, and Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. Our customer base includes Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Bell Helicopters, Textron, BAE Systems, Pratt & Whitney, and Leonardo.The Luton site is home to over 370 employees and benefits from onsite facilities including parking, a food hub, and vending machines.
Our Engineering & Technology team at Luton focuses on developing both product and manufacturing process technologies for aircraft ice protection systems, transparencies, functional coatings, and specialist structures, supporting a wide range of civil and defence applications.
We are seeking an R&D Engineering Technician to support Research and Development activities by providing hands-on technical expertise in the build, modification, and testing of prototypes, experimental rigs, and laboratory equipment. Development work will primarily involve composite materials, with some exposure to 3D printing and electronics.
The role enables engineers and researchers to translate concepts into practical solutions through accurate experimentation, problem solving, and data capture, while ensuring all activities are conducted safely, efficiently, and in compliance with engineering and laboratory standards. The technician plays a key role in accelerating innovation by supporting iterative development, reliable testing, and the transition of concepts toward validation and future industrialisation.
Core operational hours at our Luton site are: 07:30 - 16:30 Monday to Thursday & 07:30 - 12:30 Friday.
Job Responsibilities
Prototyping:
Build, assemble, modify, and test prototypes, rigs, and experimental setups
Support engineers during product, process, and technology development
Translate design concepts, drawings, and specifications into practical experimental builds
Adapt equipment and layouts quickly to support iterative design and proof-of-concept work
Testing:
Set up and operate test equipment, instrumentation, and data-capture systems
Conduct laboratory, bench, or pilot tests in line with test plans and protocols
Monitor experiments, record observations, and report deviations or anomalies
Assist with verification and validation activities for new designs or materials
Fault Finding & Problem Solving:
Diagnose issues affecting prototypes, test rigs, or experimental equipment
Provide practical input to resolve mechanical, electrical, or system-level problems
Identify limitations in designs or setups and suggest practical improvements
Support rapid troubleshooting to minimise test delays
Test Equipment:
Maintain R&D laboratory/workshop equipment, test rigs, and specialist engineering tools
Ensure test environments remain safe, organised, and fit for purpose
Manage specialist consumables, components, and prototype materials
Documentation & Data Recording:
Accurately record test results, build notes, changes, and observations
Update drawings, build instructions, and experimental documentation
Maintain traceability of prototype versions, test conditions, and configurations
Support technical reports, design reviews, and project documentation
HSE:
Work in compliance with laboratory safety procedures, risk assessments, and COSHH
Contribute to safe system-of-work documentation for experimental activities
Identify and report hazards associated with new or unproven technologies
Support safe handling of materials, chemicals, energy sources, and moving systems
Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing:
Work closely with engineers, and/or project teams
Provide hands-on technical insight during design reviews and prototype discussions
Support training or handover of experimental setups to colleagues
Share lessons learned to improve future designs and test efficiency
Continuous Improvement & Innovation:
Actively contribute ideas to improve prototype build quality, test repeatability, or efficiency
Help refine R&D processes, tooling, and test methods
Stay informed on emerging technologies, tools, and engineering methods relevant to R&D
Support transition activities from R&D into pilot or production environments where required
CATIAv5 experience
Profile description:
What You'll Bring
To help us make a difference, youll bring your passion and talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:
Essential:
Industry experience in manufacturing or prototype development in Aerospace or Automotive industry
The successful candidate will be proactive in their work.
Strong hands-on engineering skills with a flexible, solution-focused mindset
Ability to work with incomplete or evolving specifications
Curiosity and willingness to experiment and learn
High attention to detail when recording test data and results
Ability to balance creativity with safety and compliance
Effective communication with multi-disciplinary teams
Methodical and attentive to details
Desirable:
Background in composites materials
Design / CATIAv5 experience
HND/HNC in relevant engineering discipline
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).
We offer:
What We'll Offer
Once youre on board youll get the following perks and benefits:
Competitive salary dependent on experience
Industry Leading Pension Scheme = well 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
Electric Vehicle (EV) salary sacrifice scheme (Insurance, servicing, maintenance, roadside assistance and more included)
Free onsite parking
Local gym discount
Free airport parking
Enhanced family friendly leave
A collaborative, dynamic working environment
As well as a competitive package well offer you a world of opportunity. We want to see your career fly! Well support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities. Thats the beauty of being part of a global business, once youre 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
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 weve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. Its 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.
Were 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. ?
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