Principal Research Engineer

About Us

GKN Aerospace is the world's leading multi-technology tier 1 aerospace supplier. With 38 manufacturing locations in 12 countries, we serve over 90% of the world”s aircraft and engine manufacturers. We design and manufacture innovative smart aerospace systems and components. Every time you travel by air almost anywhere in the world, it is likely that GKN is helping you on your way.

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.

Job Summary

As a Principal Research Engineer, you will draw on your deep specialist knowledge, detailed product knowledge and general business awareness to shape the direction of research and development projects in the TRL1-6 range, concept development, demonstrator projects and in insertion projects. 

You have a strong track record of innovation, of leading complex technical work, and have a well-established professional network in our field. 
Your experience and critical thinking skills help you to plan and lead the technical work within your specialist field or in your product or technology area. 
Your exceptional communication skills enable you to confidently engage with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.

Job Responsibilities

You have developed an understanding of the strategic direction of your specialist field inside and outside of GKN, and are responsible of formulating and executing the Technology Strategy within your specialist field. You demonstrate visionary leadership in your field. You are responsible for the roadmaps associated with your specialist field.

You will have developed a strong understanding of the strategic direction of target products and key technologies. You support the development of the overall Technology Strategy, reconciling strategic input from multiple specialist areas.
You will support the Program and Portfolio Leads in defining the technical content of the Programs to meet the targets.
You will support robust forward planning of technical work.
You will be responsible for Technology Development Plans and Technology Business Cases which relate to your specialist field, target product or key technology areas
You will drive innovation and technical quality in your field. You will ensure robust technical planning, quality and timely delivery supporting Technology Readiness Level gates, Notional Type Designs, Design Reviews and other deliverables.
You will support or lead any necessary 'hands on' development test work and development trials that are required to meet your project and/or functional delivery objectives.
You will be responsible for originating and issuing high quality and detailed technical documentation.
You will coach colleagues and upcoming talent in your specialist field, and you may be required to supervise graduate students.
You will drive maturity of technologies in your specialist field, and undertake technical problem solving in your specialist field, including support with operational issues from time to time.
You will develop and maintain long-term ecosystem & academia relationships in your specialist field for the benefit of the projects, aligned with the company strategy and direction from the Chief Technologist(s).
You will propose and drive new technology research project applications
The main task will be to act as technical expert in the development of technologies and future product solutions, a generalist that is able to balance the input from the different disciplines in order to find the best compromise. 
Lead the integration of new technologies into the early product solutions with the goal of achieving solutions that are well balanced
Help setting the “technical direction” of the work and facilitate technical decision-making in the team. Help the team and project/team leader to plan and prioritize the technical tasks. Owner of the Technology Development Plan for the product solutions and/or technologies that are responsibility of the department
Help Build concept book on feasible design solutions that would reflect customer expectations of future engines
Contribute to systems models of GKN current and desired product offerings integrating with technologies and demonstrator project teams
Contribute to building framework and structure for capturing design knowledge and author/support design practice development basis learnings from technology/product development
Specify the needs and criteria for the validation of the technology integration on early product solutions

Job Qualifications

General
You have a comprehensive awareness of your specialist field outside of GKN and you have developed a vision for how technology and expertise should be developed within GKN. 
You have a strong and diverse engineering/technology knowledge base and a good business awareness, which enable you to synthesise strategy for our key products/technologies.
You demonstrate critical reasoning in relation to how your vision relates to GKN business goals. 
You have a good track record of executing complex development activities according to plan. 
You have a logical and methodical approach to project planning and costing. 
You have an extensive network and are recognised by others as someone with deep specialist knowledge in your specialist field. 
You are able to project your influence internally and externally to deliver goals.
You are a strong self-starter, skilled in converting ambiguity into clarity, and translating goals into plans. Typically only requires general direction/strategic guidance (as opposed to being directed task-by-task).
You have significant experience coaching/supervising upcoming talent. 
(desirable) You have experience engaging with production teams, and are able to translate your expertise to solve problems today.
You have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and can translate to a variety of technical and non-technical audiences. You are confident and able to represent your specialist area and GKN values in Executive level internal/external review meetings and conferences.
Education: 
Required: A Masters degree in engineering relevant to the area of work, with relevant work experience.

Work with Team, Team Leader, other Technology Leads and stakeholders to identify dependencies, priorities, impediments, mitigation and resolution of issues
Work with projects and team leader in identifying gearing opportunities for collaboration with external partners to grow technology footprint
Skills and experience required for the role are:
10+ years of experience working in the development of technology and/or products for commercial jet engines. 
Experience leading multidisciplinary teams
Ability of balancing the input from different disciplines to reach the best compromise
Understanding and experience of the different steps of the Develop Product process at GKN
Background in Design and or Solid Mechanics
General engineering knowledge of solid mechanics, metallic materials and manufacturing processes.
Experience in technology development, knowledge of TRL-scale and TRA-process.
Experience of Systems Level Product Functions and Requirement Modelling 
Experience in Concept Developments and leading NPI design projects and knowledge of demonstrator development process.

Diversity Inclusion and Belonging (DIB)

As a global engineering company, innovation is what differentiates us from our competitors and is central to our success.

A balance of cultures, ethnicities and genders help bring new ideas and creativity to GKN. We need people of different backgrounds, with different skills and perspectives to spark originality, imagination and creativeness in our teams around the world.

GKN is an equal opportunity employer.

We treat all our employees and applicants fairly and are committed to ensuring that there is no discrimination or harassment against any employee or qualified applicant on the grounds of age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.