Technology Intern - Powder Bed

GKN Aerospace; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Starting salary £24,500

Starting bonus £500

Hybrid working

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Excellent pension scheme

Life assurance

Income protection

International exposure

Job summary

GKN Aerospace Global Technology Centre in Bristol offers a year-long industrial placement for aspiring engineers. You will join the Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing team, supporting AM development for Aeroengine and Space products and gaining hands-on experience across design, simulation, and lab work.

ideal candidates are undergraduates in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering or Material Science with CAD skills, a passion for aerospace, and strong teamwork.

Qualifications

• Current undergraduate student in aerospace/ mechanical engineering or material science.
• Interest in additive manufacturing and aerospace/space.
• Experience with CAD packages (CATIA, Siemens NX, Fusion 360, SolidWorks).

Responsibilities

• Support development of AM processes for engines applications; contribute to innovative projects.
• Design parts and test specimens, prepare AM build files, run simulations, and support production.
• Perform lab work to analyze material quality using optical and SEM imaging.
• Assist in design, simulation, material characterization, factory design, and data-analysis tool development.
• Collaborate with UK and European GKN teams on additive manufacturing initiatives.

Skills

Strong Communication Skills

Excellent Team Player

Passion & Energy

Execution

Problem Solving

Education

Undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering

Undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering

Undergraduate degree in Material Science

Tools

CATIA

Siemens NX

Fusion 360

SolidWorks

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 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

GKN Aerospace Global Technology Centre in Bristol is the company's flagship aerospace research and development hub, bringing together engineers, researchers and industry partners to develop next-generation aircraft technologies, advanced manufacturing processes and sustainable aviation solutions. It plays a key role in innovations such as lightweight composite structures, electrification, hydrogen-powered flight technologies and the decarbonisation of aerospace.

We are currently hiring for several years in industry internship opportunities at our Bristol GTC.

As a Year in Industry student, you'll have the opportunity to work on real projects that contribute to the future of aerospace. You'll gain hands-on experience, receive support from industry experts, and develop valuable skills that will accelerate your career. Our interns make a genuine impact from day one and are trusted to contribute to meaningful work across the business.

Location: GKN Aerospace Global Technology Centre, Bristol, UK. Contract: 12-month industrial placement. Start Date: August/September 2027.

What You'll Be Doing

As an Intern in the Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing (AM) Process Development for Engines Applications team at GKN Aerospace, you'll support the development and advancement of AM technologies for Aeroengine and Space Product applications (DECSAM for example). You'll have the opportunity to contribute to innovative projects that shape the future of aerospace and space exploration.

• Apply your engineering and material science knowledge to a wide range of research activities.
• Design products and test specimens, prepare AM build files, run simulations, and support product manufacturing.
• Engage in hands-on lab work investigating material quality through optical and scanning electron microscopy.
• Explore responsibilities from design and simulation to material characterisation, factory design, and developing software tools for data analysis.
• Collaborate with UK's leading minds in Additive Manufacturing and GKN teams across Europe

What You'll Bring

We are looking for you to bring your best self, we believe we can add the most as an individual while being our true selves.

Knowledge and Education

• Currently studying an undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Material Science (or a related field).
• Enthusiasm for additive manufacturing with an interest in aerospace or space science.
• Experience with CAD packages (e.g., CATIA, Siemens NX, Fusion 360, SolidWorks).

Personal Attributes

• Strong Communication Skills
• Excellent Team Player
• Passion & Energy
• Execution
• Problem Solving

Functional Behaviours & Capabilities

• Eager to learn new technical skillsets, both software and hardware.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a diverse team.
• Written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Attention to detail.

Desirable

• Hands-on manufacturing experience
• Coding and machine learning

What we're looking for above most other things is a genuine interest and passion for aerospace.

What We'll Offer

We have an opportunity available for aspiring engineers to join our Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing (AM) team on a year-long placement for academic year 26/27. The expected start date is the middle of August/September 2027.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse yourself in innovative aerospace projects, develop cutting-edge technologies, and gain experience that could define your career. If you're a self-starter looking for a varied and challenging placement, we want to hear from you!

Here’s what to look forward to when you join us:

• A starting salary of £24,500, plus a starting bonus of £500 and generous benefits package.
• A welcoming year in industry intern community.
• Opportunities for international exposure and collaboration.
• Flexible working hours including the ability to finish at early on a Friday.
• Hybrid working.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
• An industry leading pension scheme; 1.5 x employee contribution (max 12%).
• 8x salary life assurance scheme.
• Income protection.
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment.

Kick-start your career in aerospace and become part of GKN's team.

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 are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.