Overview
Spirit AeroSystems designs and builds aerostructures for both commercial and defense customers. With headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, Spirit operates sites in the France, and Malaysia. The company's core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles, and wing components for the world's premier aircraft. Spirit AeroSystems focuses on affordable, innovative composite and aluminium manufacturing solutions to support customers around the globe.
The Opportunity
Spirit AeroSystems – where flight begins.
Spirit AeroSystems is actively developing technologies that will enable zero carbon emission flight. As our research in this field expands, we are growing the Prestwick team based at our state of the art research and technology development facility, the Aerospace Innovation Centre (AIC). The AIC showcases Spirit’s distinctive capabilities as a global centre for design and digital manufacturing of current and future aircraft. Partnering with Universities, industry leaders, and the UK’s CATAPULT network the AIC is a focal point to collaborate, innovate, train and develop skills for today and tomorrow.Spirit is developing structures and systems technologies to enable our industries transition to net zero emissions. This exciting opportunity requires candidates to work in an agile, diverse and fast paced environment developing cutting edge technologies for aerostructures and future fuels integration.The successful candidate will be a key member of the R&D team and integrate across our structures, systems, and test teams in a rapid design, build and test environment. Activities will be focused on the development, manufacture and assembly of structures and systems for the safe storage and distribution of liquid hydrogen. Diversity and inclusion are key to innovation. We are committed to fostering a culture where all employees can share their passions and ideas so we can tackle the toughest challenges in the industry.
This opportunity, based at our Prestwick site offers:
1. 37 hour working week (half day Friday)
2. Shift premiums up to 33%, where applicable
3. Overtime at time and a half, where applicable
4. 33 days holiday per year, rising with service
5. Annual Bonus related to company performance
6. Defined contribution pension scheme (default contributions; 4% employee and 8% employer)
7. Virtual GP Service 365 days per year
8. Employee Assistance Program
9. A wide range of flexible benefits
10. Death in service payment (default 4 times basic salary)
11. Professional development and growth
12. Free car parking
13. And more!!
The role
14. Develop materials and processes in support of the design, manufacture and test of technology demonstrators.
15. Conduct technology, materials and process development at component and assembly level, driving forward product development by close integration across the technical engineering and test teams.
16. Assess and select materials suitable for a variety of cryogenic and thermal insulation applications.
17. Develop and execute R&D project plans. Coordinate projects to deliver high quality outputs, ensuring schedule and budget adherence.
18. Liaise with partners, technology providers, and suppliers to deliver project objectives. Identify technology differentiators. Lead partners as appropriate to achieve project goals. Provide detail reports and presentations on activities undertaken and scope of work definition.
19. Author test procedures, work instructions and devise suitable methods to carry out testing utilising internal & external lab equipment. Testing will range from coupon mechanical to full cryo storage functional testing.
20. Adopt design of experiments and appropriate analytical methodologies to optimise material performance and fabrication process robustness.
21. Select / develop suitable inspection techniques to verify manufacturing processes to meet project objectives.
22. Developing process, assembly and factory flow modelling to assess product design options.
23. Develop the technology portfolio in line with product development timescales, technology and business strategy. Ensure compliance of Spirit Proprietary technologies against Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) and/or Technology Readiness Level (TRL) methodologies.
Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
24. Experience in a relevant engineering industry with a good understanding of engineering metallic materials (aluminium, corrosion resistant steel and titanium alloys) and composite materials (carbon, glass or aramid reinforced plastics)
25. Knowledge of materials testing with the ability to determine most suitable tests to understand material performance with the mind set to develop new and bespoke tests as required for new material systems
26. Understanding of metallic and composite manufacturing processes
27. Good knowledge in materials technologies ideally in a research and development environment
28. Applied know-how in one or more of the following disciplines: composite design, metallics design, analysis, material and fabrication, testing, assembly and quality inspection processes
29. Good understanding of materials mechanical and physical behaviours
30. Relevant experience in planning, developing and leading R&D packages of work and/or small tasks or projects to agreed time, quality and costs
31. Relevant experience in developing R&D work package scope from scope and budget definition to final technical project delivery to time, cost and quality
32. Relevant experience in working with a team of engineers and/or leading technicians to complete technical scope with work package schedule adherence
33. Relevant background in technology integration R&D projects
34. Excellent interpersonal, influencing skills and a team working “ethos”
35. Excellent report writing and presentation skills
36. Excellent problem solving and analytical skills are essential for this role
37. Excellent organisational and planning skills
38. Self driven, professional approach with a “can do” attitude to innovation
39. A good grasp of Microsoft packages such as Word, Excel Outlook is required
40. Desirable – Experience in developing cryogenic systems / fuel systems & materials applications for cryogenics, insulation and thermal barrier materials
41. Desirable - MSc in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering, material polymer science/or equivalent relevant degree/experience required
We are looking for people who want to make a difference, talented team members with the skills and passion to become the best at what they do.
Closing Date; Tuesday, 2nd September at 12pm
Spirit AeroSystems is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law