Research Engineer - Composite Manufacturing Processes

GKN Aerospace; Bristol; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Pension

Life Assurance

Holidays

Flexible hours

Income protection

Cycle to Work

Employee assistance

Virtual GP

Collaborative environment

Job summary

GKN Aerospace is seeking a Research Engineer – Composite Manufacturing Processes to help shape the future of flight from our Bristol site. You will develop advanced composite manufacturing processes for current and future aircraft wing applications within the GTC technology team.

You’ll work across TRL1-6, executing tasks with a structured, methodical approach and engaging with internal stakeholders to deliver high-quality technical outcomes.

Qualifications

• Practical experience of composite manufacturing processes, including material preparation, layup, tooling, resin processing, and component cure operations.
• Hands-on experience in a manufacturing, development, or laboratory environment, following defined processes and procedures.
• Knowledge of composite materials and manufacturing methods, with an understanding of how process quality influences product performance.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to project delivery by understanding product strategy and supporting the development of Technology Development Plans and Technology Business Cases.
• Support project planning and execution, including maintaining project plans, managing assigned budgets, and contributing to funding proposals where required.
• Lead or support development activities, including hands-on testing and trials, accurate capture of results, and delivery of high-quality technical documentation.
• Achieve project objectives through collaboration, coordinating activities across teams and contributing to successful delivery.
• Support stakeholder engagement, building relationships with internal teams, customers, and supply chain partners, while identifying opportunities for future technology exploitation and industrialisation.
• Contribute to a safe, inclusive, and high-performing working environment, championing EH&S standards and GKN's values.

Skills

Composite manufacturing

Layup

Tooling

Resin processing

Component cure

Product lifecycle

Project planning

Budget management

Schedule delivery

Collaboration

Communication

Proactive

Relationship building

Student development mentoring

Tools

GKN Tools

Job description

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Research Engineer - Composite Manufacturing Processes

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 32 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.6bn in 2025. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

We are looking for a Research Engineer – with a background in advanced composite manufacturing process development to help 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. We are looking for people who want to make a difference, talented individuals with the skills and passion to become future leaders in what they do.

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 TRL1-6 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.

How You’ll Contribute

The Research Engineer - Composite Manufacturing Processes will contribute to the following:

• Contribute to project delivery by understanding product strategy and supporting the development of Technology Development Plans and Technology Business Cases.
• Support project planning and execution, including maintaining project plans, managing assigned budgets, and contributing to funding proposals where required.
• Lead or support development activities, including hands‑on testing and trials, accurate capture of results, and delivery of high‑quality technical documentation.
• Achieve project objectives through collaboration, coordinating activities across teams and contributing to successful delivery.
• Support stakeholder engagement, building relationships with internal teams, customers, and supply chain partners, while identifying opportunities for future technology exploitation and industrialisation.
• Contribute to a safe, inclusive, and high‑performing working environment, championing EH&S standards and GKN's values.

What You’ll Bring

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

Technical Specific requirements :

• Practical experience of composite manufacturing processes, including material preparation, layup, tooling, resin processing, and component cure operations.
• Hands-on experience working in a manufacturing, development, or laboratory environment, following defined processes and procedures.
• Knowledge of composite materials and manufacturing methods, with an understanding of how process quality influences product performance.

General Person Specific requirements:

• Good understanding of the product lifecycle, from design and materials through manufacturing and in-service support.
• Awareness of project planning, budget management, and schedule delivery, with a structured and methodical approach to problem-solving and task execution.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams and contribute to technical and project review meetings.
• Proactive and self-motivated, able to take ownership of assigned activities and deliver against agreed objectives.
• Ability to build effective working relationships, developing networks across internal teams and the wider aerospace and engineering community.
• Experience influencing and collaborating with others to achieve shared objectives, with opportunities to support the development of students, apprentices, or early-career colleagues.

What We’ll Bring

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

• 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
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Flexible working hours including the ability to finish at 12noon on a Friday
• Income protection
• Cycle To Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment

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 arethe place where human dreams, plus humanendeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.