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, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. 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.in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

GKN is actively engaged in a series of major, multi £M development programmes with the long term aim of enabling zero emission flight on a series of new aircraft programmes. We want to enable the complete electrification of Aircraft powered by Liquid Hydrogen, Fuel cells and Cryogenically cooled networks and motors. As such we’ve already built up a significant capability with an international team of over 70 specialist Engineers working on Liquid Hydrogen based propulsion systems, including storage (tanks), Fuel management, Fuel cells, Electrical networks, Motors and Inverters, with Cryogenics being an enabling technology. This ground breaking technology is maturing rapidly and we’re searching for specialist Engineers and Scientists who want to work with us in this rapidly changing, dynamic, multifunctional environment to help us push further and faster as we win more programmes and the market accelerates.

We are seeking to recruit a Principal Research Engineer – Cryogenic Systems Design to generate models and engineering drawings of cryogenic systems ready for manufacture.You will supervise the procurement, manufacture, and assembly of cryogenic components and systems for aircraft and ground-based facilities. You will be required to be on site in Bristol at least 3 days a week. 

Job Responsibilities

Use engineering information in the form of line-ups, sketches, sizing calculations, and written descriptions to generate models of cryogenic and vacuum systems Contribute to engineering analysis and validation Take responsibility for the generation of engineering drawings from cryogenic system models Determine and select appropriate manufacturing and assembly techniques and methods for cryogenic and vacuum assemblies Generate and define process instructions for system assembly Identify, select, and audit suppliers for cryogenic and vacuum systems. Work with suppliers to build, and to ensure designs can be realised within, the supply chain Source and select materials and components. Contribute to the generation of material specifications where required Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to develop cost-effective designs Participate in reviews and workshops internally and externally to influence the development of standards and regulations, and to ensure compliance with those standards

Job Qualifications

Essential:

HNC/HND, degree, or equivalent qualification in an engineering subject Experience in the design of cryogenic and high vacuum systems Experience of the principles of leak tightness and leak detection pertaining to cryogenic and high vacuum systems Experience of the behaviour and suitability of materials at cryogenic temperatures Experience of good design practice, including manufacturing and joining techniques suitable for cryogenic systems, and cleanliness requirements and specifications

Desirable:

Experience of designing or working with hydrogen systems. Experience of designing or working with high or ultra-high vacuum systems Selection and specification of equipment for manufacture of cryogenic or high vacuum systems Development of test rigs for engineering validation of cryogenic and vacuum equipment including working with test houses, setting up tests, contributing to measurements and reporting Design of manufacturing tooling for cryogenic systems or equipment Design of tooling for motor or coil manufacture Detailing instrumentation schemes and wiring to support test and commissioning measurements.

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. To be successful in this role you will have excellent verbal communication skills, with ability to present to a variety of audiences along with outstanding technical report writing skills. You will be energetic and self-motivated with the ability to work independently when required.

What We'll Offer

Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:

Competitive salary dependant on experience Opportunity to earn up to 15 %bonus  Hybrid working – giving you the opportunity to balance home and office working Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis Life Assurance 8 x salary 25 days holiday + bank holidays Income protection Shopping discounts Cycle To Work Scheme Employee Assistance Programme A collaborative, dynamic working environment 

As well as a competitive package we’ll offer you a world of opportunity. We want to see your career fly! We’ll support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities. That’s the beauty of being part of a global business, once you’re on board you never know where you career journey may take you! 

We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?

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 we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s 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.

We’re 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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