Senior Research Engineer (Mechanical Engineering) in Luton

Energy Jobline ZR; Luton; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace company in Luton is seeking a Senior Research Engineer to support the development of composite aero structures and ice protection products. The ideal candidate will have a strong mechanical engineering background, experience in material science, and familiarity with FEA simulation tools. This role offers a dynamic working environment and competitive benefits including a possible bonus and comprehensive pension scheme.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Up to 15% bonus

Industry Leading Pension Scheme

Life Assurance

185 hours holiday + bank holidays

Cycle To Work Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Local gym discount

Qualifications

• Experience of material science, characterisation and testing techniques.
• Strong knowledge of FEA for structural and thermal analysis.
• Ability to obtain UK Security Clearance – Essential for this role.

Responsibilities

• Plan and technically deliver allocated projects ensuring research objectives are satisfied.
• Lead development test work and trials to meet delivery objectives.
• Raise and issue high-quality technical documentation.

Skills

Material science

FEA simulation

Strong report writing

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Education

Relevant accredited Engineering / Physics / Materials based degree

Tools

ANSYS

LS-DYN

Abaqus

Job description

Job Summary

It’s great to know you’re making a difference to the future of aviation! Whatever part you play you’ll be helping us deliver operational excellence to our customers. Based at our Luton manufacturing plant you’ll do just that. Established in 1993, GKN Aerospace in Luton is a world leader in commercial and military ice protection systems and transparencies. Offering a full range of capabilities; design, analysis, testing, certification and manufacture of electro‑thermal ice protection, military fast jet canopies and flight deck windows to over 20 programmes including: Boeing 787, Dreamliner, Airbus A320, AgustaWestland, AW101, Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed Martin F‑22 Raptor. Our customers include Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Bell Helicopters, Textron, BAE Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Leonardo. Our Luton site is home to 370+ employees and onsite facilities including onsite parking, food hub and vending machines.

The Luton Engineering & Technology team is focused on developing product and manufacturing process technology related to aircraft ice protection systems, transparencies, functional coatings, and specialist structures for both civil and defence applications.

We’re looking for a Senior Research Engineer, with a strong mechanical engineering background, to join our materials development team to support the development of next composite aero structures, ice protection and transparency products.

As a Senior Research Engineer, you’ll bring your specialist knowledge in Material science and FEA simulation to deliver high‑impact research and development across Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 1-7. You’ll be responsible for ensuring that all research outputs are technically robust, innovative, and aligned with our broader engineering and sustainability goals.

You will also be responsible for providing specialist support to existing programmes within your field of expertise, helping to resolve manufacturing issues and supporting continuous improvement efforts.

You will have a proven track record of leading and delivering technical work, including experience of working with formal project management processes including budgeting, schedule and risk management. With strong communication skills, you’ll be confident working with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders, including non‑technical audiences.

You’re likely building a professional network and are passionate about keeping pace with developments in your field. As this is a research role we are looking for a hands‑on innovative thinker; your work should push the boundaries of existing technologies and applications.

Job Responsibilities

• Be responsible for the planning and technical delivery of allocated projects and work packages ensuring the research objectives have been satisfied.
• Plan, coordinate and lead any necessary ‘hands on’ development test work and trials that are required to meet delivery objectives ensuring all relevant safe systems of work are satisfied.
• Support or lead the design of external work packages to be carried out by third parties in order to meet project research objectives.
• You may have line management responsibilities, depending on individual competencies and team structure, though this is not a core requirement.
• Be responsible for raising and issuing high quality and detailed technical documentation, and review and approval of reports raised by others.
• Seek to understand and contribute to the strategic direction of the target products or manufacturing process technologies being developed within your technology field.
• Contribute to Technology Development Plans and Technology Business Cases within your projects and technology field.
• Contribute to stakeholder management with internal/external customers, and you may lead management of supply chain partners in some cases.
• Take an active role in creating a personal development plan linked to GKN’s TEF (Technical Excellence Framework) and will be responsible for delivering on agreed objectives supported by your line manager.
• Contribute to the development of GKN as a ‘Great Place to Work’, aligned with the core principles – safe, innovative, open & honest, care & respect, and ownership.

What You’ll Bring

Essential

• A relevant, accredited Engineering / Physics / Materials based degree.
• Experience of material science, characterisation and testing techniques.
• Strong knowledge and experience of FEA for structural and thermal analysis.
• Ability to understand customer requirements, or support the of performance requirements by interpreting operational needs and convert these to appropriate product characteristics.
• Strong report writing and presentation skills.
• Logical and methodical approach to problem‑solving.
• Strong technical background, enabling you to work across short, medium and long term technology horizons.
• Ability to plan work through formal project management processes, including scheduling and budgeting and lead a team to ensure successful delivery of required outcomes.
• Ability to obtain UK Security Clearance – Essential for this role.

Desirable

• A higher degree qualification such as a Masters, PhD or EngD.
• Experience of dynamic FEA simulation.
• Experience of ANSYS, LS‑DYN and/or Abaqus.
• Awareness of aerospace certification requirements.
• Data based problem solving techniques.
• Experience of Data driven problem solving techniques.

The successful candidate will have a broad interest in Aerospace engineering, with a strong understanding of material technologies, including testing and characterisation techniques. While prior technical experience in a laboratory environment would be beneficial – particularly for designing tests and analysing results – training can be provided to the right candidate where necessary.

Experience in composites and thermoplastics is desirable but not essential. Competency in FEA analytic techniques is expected; the candidate should be capable of building and interpreting models to predict the behaviour of complex components with particular focus on structural and thermal analysis. Familiarity with ANSYS, LS‑DYN and/or ABAQUS is desirable but not required.

A proactive mindset is essential, enabling the candidate to quickly understand and adapt to new technology areas. Strong communication skills are required to effectively engage with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.

The successful candidate should be flexible in their approach to work, and willing to learn from and support team members to ensure project objectives are achieved. As a Senior Research Engineer, the candidate will be naturally curious and committed to deepening their expertise through study, collaborative working, hypothesis testing and experimentation.

What We’ll Offer

• Competitive salary dependent on experience.
• The opportunity to earn up to 15% bonus.
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme – we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis.
• Life Assurance 8 × salary.
• 185 hours holiday + bank holidays.
• Income protection.
• Shopping discounts.
• Cycle To Work Scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family.
• Free onsite parking.
• Local gym discount.
• 50% off local travel card.
• Free airport Dart.
• Free airport parking.
• Discount with local nursery and preschool childcare setting.
• Enhanced family friendly leave.
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment.

Join us and keep the world moving … click on the link below to apply.