Research Engineer (Motor Mechanical Design)

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

We are looking for a Motor Mechanical Design Engineer with electric propulsion design experience to help design, develop, prototype and test electrical propulsion system which will help shape the future of flight. You will be involved in the full development cycle of high-power, high-performance electrical machines and drive systems for future aircraft propulsion.

This is an exciting and potentially career defining opportunity. You will be an integral member of a team that is embarking on a significant and challenging technology development project; Your work at GKN Aerospace will contribute to a major steppingstone towards achieving greener aviation thus helping protect our environment for future generations.  

You will be required to spend at least 3 days a week in the office collaborating with the team. 
 

Job Responsibilities

• Design components and assemblies in 3D CAD and 2D drawings for electrical machines and their associated tooling
• Provide engineering analysis and first principle calculations in support of your designs
• Support development of design solutions through product lifecycle, from requirements, through concept schemes, preliminary design, detail design, support procurement, manufacture and production, test and verification
• Perform and support ‘hands on’ development activities of manufacturing processes and novel design solutions in the workshop
• Liaise with suppliers and partners in support of the design and development of electric propulsion systems
• Identify and pursue opportunities for technical innovation and intellectual property (IP) development
• Generate technical reports and presentations to support technical reviews and TRL gates
• Support robust forward planning of technical work in the design office and workshop activities in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.

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What you'll bring

To help us make a difference, you’ll bring your passion and talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:

Essential:

• Experience of mechanical design of rotating equipment
• Experience in the use of CAD software packages (CATIA V5/V6, SolidWorks, Siemens NX to generate 3D models and 2D drawings)
• Understanding of engineering principles for mechanical design and experience generating first principles calculations
• Experience in the application of GD&T process according to BS8888, ASME 14.5Y or similar
• Experience in the use of FEA software packages to analyse simple mechanical structures
• Experience in the use of Product Lifecycle Management tools 
• Experience of FMEAs and safety critical engineering practices
• Experience in supporting prototype manufacturing and assembly teams and producing support documentation like assembly instructions

Desirable:

• Experience in Aerospace industry
• Experience in vehicle electrification
• Experience of the use of Finite Element Modelling for rotordynamics, structural analysis, fatigue/fracture, shock/impact, etc.
• Familiarity with system engineering standard practices for the development of complex systems
• An understanding of basic electromagnetics and thermal principles applied to the design of electrical machines
• Experience of mechanical design of rotating equipment preferably electric motors for traction applications and integration into the system
• Experience in the use Product Lifecycle Management tools like Windchill (Preferably), design life cycles from concept to prototype including DFM, liaising with supply chain team and external manufacturing suppliers.

We are looking for candidates who demonstrate the ability to communicate appropriate, concise, and accurate information effectively, both in written and verbal formats. This includes conveying complex technical concepts clearly to expert audiences while also making them accessible and understandable to non-expert stakeholders. Your ability to adapt your communication style to different audiences will be crucial in ensuring seamless collaboration and understanding across our multidisciplinary teams.
 

What We'll Offer

Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:

• Competitive salary dependant on experience
• Hybrid working – giving you the opportunity to balance home and office working
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis
• Life Assurance 8 x salary
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Income protection
• Shopping discounts
• Cycle To Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment 

As well as a competitive package we’ll offer you a world of opportunity. We want to see your career fly!  We’ll support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities.  That’s the beauty of being part of a global business, once you’re on board you never know where you career journey may take you! 
 

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. ​
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