Associate Materials Research Engineer

GKN Aerospace; Westlake (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

GKN Aerospace seeks a Materials Engineer to join our Global Technology Centre in Lake Worth, Texas. This role supports the development and qualification of AM alloys and large-scale AM structures using our laser-wire additive manufacturing process, with ferrous and non-ferrous alloys for aerostructures and engines.

This hands-on position requires operating MetLab for microstructure characterization, running AM systems after training, and contributing to reports, data analysis, and technical

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree related to materials, or metallurgical engineering, or additive manufacturing, or a hybrid of mechanical engineering with materials focus.
• 0 - 3 years experience in manufacturong
• Experience with microscopic samples preparation and light microscope
• Proficiency in computer aided design tools, such as CAD
• Strong planning, organizational, and teamwork skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications
• Must be authorized to work in the United States and meet any applicable U.S. citizenship requirements for this position.

Responsibilities

• Perform microscopic investigation by operating MetLab equipment to prepare microscopic samples and conduct microstructure characterization/analysis and failure analysis by a light microscope, SEM and other testing equipment.
• Specification engineering on materials, AM processes, heat-treatment, welding fabrication to ensure compliance with internal and external code requirements.
• Execute internal R&D projects
• Collaborate with internal teams, business partners, testing labs and universities to achieve research project goals on schedule.
• Support computer modeling on AM through collecting and organizing material data.
• Run robotic additive manufacturing systems after training.
• Support business development by assisting in proposal writing, slides preparation, and professional presentation.
• Support manufacturing processes development and production integration by providing materials advice.

Skills

Microscope sample prep

Planning

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in materials/metallurgical/additive manufacturing

Tools

CAD

Microsoft Office

Job description

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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 seeking a Materials Engineer to join our Global Technology Centre (GTC) in Lake Worth, Texas. This role supports the development and qualification of various AM alloys and large-scale AM structures by GKN's advanced laser-wire additive manufacturing process (i.e., LMD-w). AM materials include ferrous and non-ferrous alloys (titanium, nickel-based super alloys, copper-nickel alloys, steel, and etc.). Large-scale AM components are used in aerostructures, aeroengines and maritime.

This position requires hands-on work to operate microscopic and testing equipment in a MetLab to perform microstructure characterization and failure analysis, run AM systems (after training), assist in writing technical reports, data analysis, white papers, and support product and processes development.

This role reports to the Technical Authority in Materials and Processes and assists extensive communications/coordination with the GTC operation team, design team, external testing labs and universities on research and development projects. Additionally, this role may also be required to attend professional conferences to make presentations

Job Responsibilities

• Perform microscopic investigation by operating MetLab equipment to prepare microscopic samples and conduct microstructure characterization/analysis and failure analysis by a light microscope, SEM and other testing equipment.
• Specification engineering on materials, AM processes, heat-treatment, welding fabrication to ensure compliance with internal and external code requirements.
• Execute internal R&D projects
• Collaborate with internal teams, business partners, testing labs and universities to achieve research project goals on schedule.
• Support computer modeling on AM through collecting and organizing material data.
• Run robotic additive manufacturing systems after training.
• Support business development by assisting in proposal writing, slides preparation, and professional presentation.
• Support manufacturing processes development and production integration by providing materials advice.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree related to materials, or metallurgical engineering, or additive manufacturing, or a hybrid of mechanical engineering with materials focus
• 0 - 3 years experience in manufacturong
• Experience with microscopic samples preparation and light microscope
• Proficiency in computer aided design tools, such as CAD
• Strong planning, organizational, and teamwork skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications
• Must be authorized to work in the United States and meet any applicable U.S. citizenship requirements for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to work efficiently across a variety of material research and manufacturing assignments
• Ability to develop aerospace AM materials and manufacturing processes through experimental design, such as DOE.
• Experience with additive manufacturing technologies, or robotic welding or welding metallurgy
• Experience with electron microscopes, such as SEM/EDS, TEM, etc.
• Experience with laser wire directed energy deposition

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.