Senior Research Engineer/Specialist, EWIS

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 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn.in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

Within GKN Aerospace, GKN Fokker Elmo's Research & Technology (R&T) department is looking for an ambitious Senior Research Engineer/Specialist who wants to apply his/her Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems (EWIS) (design) experience to the development of future EWIS product solutions for sustainable aircraft. EWIS already became more prevalent as part of the More Electric Aircraft, however today’s journey to Hybrid-Electric and Full-Electric aircraft adds a new chapter to its technology significance. 

What you'll do

You will be part of the team developing EWIS product solutions that can be installed in confined spaces and/or with a significantly lower weight typically aimed at harsh environments (e.g. wing/pylon/engine). This includes development of innovative EWIS components and constructions for non-propulsive High Voltage power signals as well as low voltage power and data signals. The development is linked to customer demonstrator projects, providing an exploitation route for the technology being developed.

Developing new EWIS component & constructions, you will go through requirement definition, performing conceptual and detail construction design, performing trade-offs, defining production methodologies as well as building samples and performing tests for validation and verification (V&V) purposes. This development will include the maturation and compliance demonstration towards higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRL).

Main job responsibilities are listed below;
•    Be responsible for the planning and technical delivery of allocated projects and/or 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 coordinate external work packages to be carried out by eco-system partners (e.g. universities, knowledge institutes and industrial partners) and suppliers in order to meet project research objectives. 
•    Be responsible for raising and issuing high quality and detailed technical documentation, and review and approval of reports raised by others. 
•    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.
•    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

Knowledge, experience and qualifications:
•    Master/Bachelor degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related field;
•    Knowledge & experience with (electric) aircraft systems and related design of EWIS with commercial/defense aircraft, Advanced Air Mobility, Engines and other harsh environments;
•    Knowledge & experience in DoE, efficient testing methods of electrical and/or mechanical products;
•    Knowledge & experience in EMC & Electrical theory/behavior of low voltage (analog and digital) signals & high voltage signals within EWIS products;
•    Experience in safety / risk analyses of EWIS systems;
•    Experience in requirements definition & management;
•    Experience in design verification (prepare and execute testing and/or analysis).

Skills:
•    Can think and communicate at multiple levels of abstraction, including conceptual thinking (low TRL) up to more detailed design and V&V (high TRL);
•    Ability to define and translate requirements into development of components and constructions for EWIS products;
•    Be pragmatic and goal-oriented, for example in performing experiments or making samples;
•    A self-starter with good communication skills is a must.

Core competences
•    Analytical ability: able to think at an abstract level and identif