Research Engineer - Automated Composite Manufacturing Processes

TN United Kingdom; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace company is seeking a Research Engineer specialized in automated composite manufacturing processes. This remote role involves developing advanced manufacturing techniques for aircraft applications, contributing to multi-year planning, and engaging with internal stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have a degree in Engineering and experience in composite material handling.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Engineering (or equivalent).
• Experience with automated composite material handling and processing.
• Good awareness of product lifecycle and budget management.

Responsibilities

• Understand strategic direction of target products.
• Contribute to multi-year planning and funding proposals.
• Ensure planning documentation is updated and accurate.

Skills

Knowledge of automated composite material handling

Programming of composite equipment

General awareness of the product lifecycle

Budget and schedule management

Experience with CAD design tools

Experience in post-processing of cured composite structures

Education

Degree in Engineering or equivalent

Tools

CAD design tools (e.g., Catia V5)

Automated composite processing equipment

Job description

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Research Engineer - Automated Composite Manufacturing Processes, remote, gb

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Client:

GKN Aerospace

Location:

remote, gb, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

1c01b9047e5a

Job Views:

3

Posted:

23.05.2025

Expiry Date:

07.07.2025

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Job Description:

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity set 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

Situated within our £32m state-of-the-art Global Technology Centre (GTC) in Filton, Bristol, and as a direct result of internal movement and promotion within the existing team, an opportunity has arisen for a Research Engineer with a background in advanced automated composite manufacturing process development to join us in helping shape the future of flight. You will be an integral member of the GTC technology team working on developing advanced composite manufacturing processes for current and future aircraft wing applications.

As a Research Engineer, you will draw on your broad general knowledge of engineering and the product lifecycle to work on a variety of research tasks in the TRL3-6 range. You will execute tasks according to plan, exhibiting a logical and methodical approach to problem solving. Your proactive nature will enable you to understand and adapt to new technology areas quickly. Your good communication skills shall enable you to confidently engage with a wide variety of internal stakeholders.

The Programme

ASCEND is a cross-sector composite Technology and Supply-Chain development programme, joining the Aerospace & Automotive supply chains and led by GKN Aerospace, alongside support with a further 15 Partners.

ASCEND is focused on developing composite and adjacent technologies that will allow the UK aerospace & automotive industries to meet the future high-rate production manufacture needs of the growing civil aircraft & future mobility markets through:

• Automation
• Design for Manufacture
• Skills Development

All whilst sustainably reducing the Cost of Manufacture and Carbon Footprint.

This is an exciting time to join the programme which is in its final stages, concluding with its launch in March 2025; the outputs to achieve:

• TRL5 - High rate thermoset press forming - Rib structure
• TRL6 - Automated preforming, deposition and RTM – Wingtip

Job Responsibilities

• You will seek to understand the strategic direction of the target products in your project(s).
• You may be responsible for a Work Package budget or small Work Stream budgets.
• You will contribute to multi-year planning and internal/external funding proposals as required.
• You will contribute to Technology Development Plans and Technology Business Cases within your project(s).
• You will ensure all planning documentation that are your responsibility are regularly updated, accurate, and delivery is on track.
• You will 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.
• You will be responsible for accurately capturing and recording data and results from test work and development trials.
• You will be responsible for raising and issuing high-quality and detailed technical documentation.
• You will 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.
• You will ensure adherence to EH&S policies and procedures for your activities, and you will contribute to a proactive EH&S culture in the wider team.

Job Qualifications

In order to be successful in this role, you will bring the following experience and attributes:

• Degree-qualified in Engineering (or equivalent i.e., Aerospace/Mechanical/HND or Degree Apprenticeship)
• Knowledge and/or experience of automated composite material handling and processing including programming of composite equipment (e.g., ply profile, autoclaves, etc.), Out of Autoclave processing; RTM or Infusion, handling of aerospace resin systems, AFP/ATL operation and/or programming, material cutting & kitting, hand layup of a variety of CF textile materials, bagging & preparation of composite components for cure, and tool preparation & cleaning.
• You will have a good general awareness of the product lifecycle including design, materials, manufacturing, and end of life.
• You will have a general awareness of budget and schedule management.
• Experience of programming ovens/autoclaves, including thermocouple setup and monitoring.
• Experience with CAD design tools (e.g., Catia V5).
• Operation of resin mixing and injection equipment, ply cutter/preform cutting tools.
• Experience with laser ply projection equipment (setup and use) and automated composite processing (AFP, ATL, Pick and Place).
• Experience in post-processing of cured composite structures (machining, hand finishing, drilling, etc.).
• Knowledge of standard metrology and part verification techniques, with previous experience in manual NDT techniques.
• Familiarity with composite component/tooling design and manufacturing processes.
• Experience of RTM, resin infusion, and traditional prepreg techniques.
• Aerospace background preferred, but relevant experience from other industries is welcomed.