GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! With over 16,000 employees globally, across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the worlds aircraft and engine manufacturers.
Whatever part you play youll be helping us deliver operational excellence to our customers.
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: 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 focussed 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.
Were looking for a Research Specialist
- Special Coatings Technology to join our coatings development team based at our Luton Manufacturing facility, to support the development of next generation high performance transparency polymer coatings, icephobic coatings and coating manufacturing processes.
As a Research Specialist you will bring your knowledge in polymer coatings development, processing, application and coating testing techniques to deliver high-impact research and development across Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 17.
Youll be responsible for ensuring that all research outputs are technically robust, innovative, and aligned with our broader engineering and sustainability goals.
You will also be responsible for providing support to existing programmes within your field of expertise, helping to resolve manufacturing issues and supporting continuous improvement efforts.
You will have a track record of delivering high quality technical work, with experience of working within a project environment.
As this is a research role we are looking for a hands on innovative thinker, your work should push the boundaries of conventional coating technologies, application and evaluation/testing techniques.
16:30 Monday to Thursday & 07:30
- Job Responsibilities Responsible for the technical delivery of allocated project tasks, 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 project objectives.
Contribute to Technology Development Plans, Project definitions and may support creation of Technology Business Cases and external funding proposals as required.
Support project stakeholder engagement activities including customer presentations and reviews, and you may lead management of supply chain partners activities in some cases.
Ensure EHS policy and process adherence for your activities, and you will contribute to a proactive EHS culture in the wider team.
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: A relevant, accredited Chemistry / Materials/ Coatings based degree.
Knowledge / Experience of coating development, application technology and materials testing.
Experience of test/experimental design, and practical execution in laboratory or test facility conditions to defined standards.
Logical and methodical approach to task planning.
Good report writing and presentation skills.
A higher degree qualification such as a Masters, PhD or EngD.
The position requires UK National Security Vetting (UKNSV) Security clearance (SC) due to the nature and responsibilities of the work carried out.
Note: Some GKN programmes are subject to regulatory restrictions which may impact certain nationalities.
The successful candidate should have a broad interest in Aerospace engineering with an understanding of Polymer materials chemistry & processing, ideally from coatings development perspective, and with technical experience of working within a laboratory environment.
Your proactive nature will enable you to understand and adapt to new technology areas quickly.
The successful candidate should be adaptable in their approach to work, and be willing to understudy other team members in their areas of expertise to ensure project objectives are met.
As a Research Engineer, you will be naturally curious and seek to increase/deepen own technical knowledge through study, collaborative working, hypothesis testing and experimentation.
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 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 A collaborative, dynamic working environment As well as a competitive package well offer you a world of opportunity.
Well support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities.
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.
We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.