Principal Research Specialist (Cryogenics)

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 15,000 employees across 41 manufacturing sites in 13 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers. 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 Specialist to develop cryogenic fuel systems and components for hydrogen-fuelled aircraft whilst providing technical leadership in this field. You will generate system, sub-system and component level designs for the transfer and control of hydrogen (as both liquid and gas) from storage (cryogenic tank) to where it is consumed (e.g. fuel cell).

Job Responsibilities

Develop fuel system concepts for hydrogen across the full temperature range from liquid to 70 °C, compliant to the relevant safety and certification requirements Generate and record intellectual property for protection Develop design principles and qualification campaigns for hydrogen fuel systems Lead the development of system requirements through the design into a validated physical product, including requirements management, safety, risk assessment, and compliance. Define suitable materials and technology specifications for hydrogen fuel systems and components Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to develop cost-effective designs Lead the definition of validation plans and ensure compliance through analysis, simulation and/or test (e.g. DO 160) as appropriate. Support qualification and certification planning Supervise members of the engineering team, lead reviews, and peer review technical deliverables

How You'll Contribute

To help us make a difference, you’ll bring your passion and talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:

Essential:

Degree in Engineering or Physics with significant content in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and materials Understanding of key thermodynamic and mechanical principles, and the ability to apply them to real life problems from first principles Experience of development and evaluation of cryogenic and/or hydrogen systems Understanding of the effect of cryogenic temperatures on the properties of materials and the implications for system design Understanding of the effect of hydrogen on the properties of materials and the implications for system design Experience of product development lifecycle for cryogenic equipment including concept definition, design/drawing development and review. Experience in functional and physical system development Experience in safety assessment Experience in defining work packages internally and externally: specifications, statements of work, etc Experience reviewing and approving designs, leading design reviews

Desirable:

Experience of designing or working with cryogenic and/or hydrogen systems Experience of designing or working with high or ultra-high vacuum systems Experience of requirements based engineering (RBE) and proficiency in RBE tools Experience in the design and set-up of experiments and fixtures for cryogenic testing (“hands-on” experience) Experience in use of international standards, design practices, certification requirements and means of compliance Experience in aerospace (fuel) system definition / development Experience of working with academic partner organisations, including definition of research scope, and supervision of research projects and PhDs

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! 

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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’ last year. 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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