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

As a Research Technician, you will work in cross-functional team operating cutting-edge metallic additive robotic welding cells. Your everyday tasks will be to work within GKN Aerospace’s US Global Technology Center (GTC) operating and maintaining some of the world’s largest Laser Wire Directed Energy Deposition (DED) Additive Manufacturing (AM) equipment. You will take on a wide range of tasks focused on AM equipment operation as well as general shop work such as operating a CNC mill, bandsaw, hand saws, drills, and other hand tools, while working in collaboration with technology engineers. You will support development, integration and implement technical solutions and documentation compliant with all relevant customer, regulatory, and airworthiness requirements, within agreed program, schedule, and manufacturing constraints.

Job Responsibilities

• Operate laser wire DED additive manufacturing (AM) equipment to implement new manufacturing processes into aerospace production

• Support development of AM technology for aerostructure applications

• Carry out written operation instructions for AM components

• Coordinate robotic cell maintenance activities with internal and external resources

• Support internal engineering by improving operating instructions, maintenance procedures, etc for AM equipment

• Develop internal standards for operation, maintenance, and production of laser wire DED equipment for aerostructure applications

• Will be required to work alternative hours as necessary with sufficient advisory periodically

• Maintain robotic, laser welding, and sensor equipment to ensure consistent operation

• Improve reliability and robustness of additive manufacturing equipment

• Maintain database of all AM produced parts

• Identify technical problems and apply/integrate solutions

• Actively participate in program to promote Healthy & Safety of team members.

• Identify, manage and mitigate risks for assigned work.

• Frequently required to spend long hours sitting at a workstation and using office laptop

• Will need to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move up to 40 pounds of equipment or materials

• Will be required to reach with arms and hands and to stoop, kneel or crouch

• Use machine tools to cut, drill, machine, or general fabrication skills as needed

Job Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 2+ years of relevant experience in welding, robotics, mechatronics, or machining

• 2+ years of Experience with metal fabrication

• Proficient use of hand tools to disassemble and reassemble mechanical components

• Proficient in Microsoft Office tools

• Strong computer and typing skills

• Must be a US Persons (US Citizen, Green Card Holder / US permanent resident, refugee or asylee) to meet export control compliance requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with metallic directed energy deposition additive manufacturing technologies

• Aerospace production experience

• Mechatronic hardware integration and/or programming experience

• CNC machining and programming experience

• Experience with lasers and laser safety

• Experience with aerospace materials including titanium alloys

• Experience with non-destructive testing techniques and application

• Knowledge of manufacturing processes data related to traditional and additive manufacturing including machining, heat treatment, and inspection

• Able to act under own initiative in relation to the assigned tasks within defined functional procedures / governance

  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. ​

  ​