Senior Research Engineer/Specialist - Cryogenics

GKN Aerospace; West of England; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Industry Leading Pension Scheme

Life Assurance

Up to 15% Bonus

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Flexible working hours

Income protection

Cycle To Work Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Virtual GP Clinic

Collaborative working environment

Job summary

GKN Aerospace Global Technology Centre is seeking a Senior Cryogenics Design Engineer to advance cryogenic power distribution systems within Hydrogen Systems. You will lead technical design projects, mentor engineers, and interface with Electrical, Controls, Systems, and Manufacturing teams.

The role focuses on detailed design, modelling in CATIA V5, and translating system requirements into robust, manufacturable solutions that meet safety and certification standards.

Qualifications

• B.Eng degree or equivalent in mechanical/aerospace.
• Understanding of thermodynamics and mechanical principles applied to cryogenic design.
• Experience in cryogenic design, integration, manufacturing, assembly or testing.
• Knowledge of cryogenic materials behavior and design tolerances.

Responsibilities

• Develop system and component designs for cryogenic power distribution across temperatures 20 K to 70 °C.
• Create and mature 3D designs, assemblies and manufacturing definitions using CATIA V5.
• Translate system requirements into validated design solutions and support safety assessments.
• Define materials, manufacturing methods and specifications for cryogenic/hvac components.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver manufacturable, compliant designs.
• Support verification, validation, design reviews and documentation.
• Mentor engineers and promote best practices and CPD.
• Generate and maintain design data and IP.

Skills

Cryogenic design

Mechanical design

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Technical leadership

Education

B.Eng in mechanical/aerospace

Tools

CATIA V5

Job description

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Senior Research Engineer/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 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

Based at GKN's Global Technology Centre the role of a Senior Cryogenics Design Engineer is to support the cryogenic power distribution team in developing and delivering cryogenic systems within GKN Aerospace Hydrogen Systems. This work will directly contribute to the advancement of sustainable aerospace power and propulsion systems, integrating cryogenic technologies through the design and development of innovative components, assemblies, and system architectures.

The role focuses on progressing cryogenic concepts through detailed design, development, and system integration activities, from early-stage research to higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRL1–6).

The role will require leading technical design projects and activities, supporting the development of others including capability growth, mentoring early-career engineers, and promoting enhanced engineering, manufacturing-aware design processes, and functional excellence.

The candidate will be expected to utilise CATIA V5 to create and manage complex 3D models, assemblies, drawings, and digital mock-ups, while interfacing across technical disciplines (Electrical, Controls, Systems, Prototyping, Manufacturing, etc.) to ensure that cryogenic system designs are coherent with broader system, certification, and production requirements.

How You'll Contribute

The Senior Research Engineer Cryogenics will be responsible for the following:

• Develop system and component designs for cryogenic power distribution systems across the full temperature range from 20 K to 70 °C, ensuring compliance with relevant safety, airworthiness, and certification requirements.
• Create and mature detailed 3D designs, assemblies, layouts, and manufacturing definitions using CATIA, supporting the development and demonstration of cryogenic power distribution technologies and systems.
• Contribute to the translation of system requirements and engineering line-ups into validated design solutions, supporting requirements management, safety assessments, risk reduction activities, and compliance demonstration throughout the product lifecycle.
• Define suitable materials, manufacturing methods, and technology specifications for cryogenic and high vacuum systems and components, considering structural, thermal, electrical, and operational requirements.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to develop cost-effective, manufacturable design solutions while maintaining strong technical relationships with internal stakeholders, customers, and suppliers.
• Contribute to verification and validation activities through design analysis, simulation, digital mock-up reviews, and test support, ensuring compliance with applicable standards and supporting qualification and certification planning.
• Participate in engineering and design reviews, ensuring technical deliverables are completed to the required quality, schedule, cost, and configuration management standards.
• Lead the technical and functional development of yourself and others through coaching, continuous professional development (CPD), improved ways of working, design process enhancement, and guidance to early-career engineers and direct reports.
• Generate, capture, and maintain design data, technical documentation, and intellectual property to support knowledge retention and technology protection.

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 Skills:

• Minimum B.Eng degree or equivalent, with relevant experience in mechanical design or aerospace product development.
• Understanding of thermodynamic and mechanical principles and their application to cryogenic system design.
• Experience in the design and development of cryogenic, including integration, manufacturing, assembly, or test activities.
• Understanding of cryogenic material behaviour and its impact on design, tolerancing, joining methods, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience across the product design lifecycle, from concept development through detailed design, design reviews, and release to manufacture.
• Knowledge of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) principles and their application to engineering development.

Soft Skills:

• Strong team-working skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams including Systems, Stress, Manufacturing, Test, and Supply Chain.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present design solutions and technical information to a range of stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, and manufacturing teams.
• Innovative mindset with a commitment to continuous improvement in product design, engineering processes, and design methodologies.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise activities and deliver high-quality design outputs to programme milestones and deadlines.

What We'll Offer

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
• Up to 15% Bonus
• 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.