Materials Development Research Engineer

GKN Aerospace

Materials Development Research Engineer at GKN Aerospace developing composite aero structures and ice protection systems. Engaging in research and development activities and ensuring compliance with engineering standards.

Posted 4/22/2026full-timeLuton • 🇬🇧 United KingdomMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Development of manufacturing processes in relation to polymer, composite and adhesive materials
Qualification of materials and processes to assure they comply with the requirements
Support robust, manufacturing process technologies as applied to materials,
Collect inputs, related to a task and take it through an identified process to produce an output / deliverable adhering to quality and schedule requirements.
Preparing and guiding tests/test plans; critical and systematic interpretation and analysis of test data.
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.
Responsible for accurately capturing and recording data and results from test work and development trials.
Responsible for raising and issuing 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.
You may support project stakeholder management with internal/external customers, and you may 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 will be responsible for delivering on agreed objectives supported by your line manager.
Ensure EHS policy and process adherence for your activities, and you will 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.

Requirements

What you’ll need

A relevant, accredited Materials, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry or Physics degree or relevant industry experience
Experience in Polymer and Composite material science and processing
Good general engineering/technology knowledge base and can demonstrate strategic thinking.
Good working knowledge of general industrial manufacturing processes, and an interest in understanding new and emerging techniques.
Experience within an industrial engineering discipline, preferably within Aerospace/Automotive/Marine/Energy sectors
Logical and methodical approach to work package planning and costing.
Strong self-starter, competent to work with general goal-based direction as well as more specific task-based requirements.
Good interpersonal and communication skills, and can confidently translate complex information to a variety of audiences and you are able to represent your project(s) and GKN values in internal/external review meetings
A higher degree qualification such as a Masters, PhD or EngD Chartered Engineer with a relevant institution (Desirable)
Experience managing deployed resources (people you lead but you are not their line manager). (Desirable)
Experience engaging with production teams and you can identify operational requirements and incorporate in to your project(s) as appropriate and as agreed. (Desirable)

Benefits

Comp & perks

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
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
Free airport parking
Enhanced family friendly leave
A collaborative, dynamic working environment

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Hard Skills & Tools

polymer materialscomposite materialsadhesive materialsmaterial qualificationmanufacturing process technologiestest planningdata analysistechnical documentationproject managementindustrial manufacturing processes

Soft Skills

strategic thinkinginterpersonal skillscommunication skillsself-starterlogical approachmethodical approachstakeholder managementteam collaborationproblem-solvingleadership

Certifications

Materials Engineering degreeMechanical Engineering degreeChemistry degreePhysics degreeMasters degreePhDEngDChartered Engineer