Senior Research Engineer -Thermal Management Systems Engineering

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 15,000 employees across 41 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

GKN’s Global Technology Centre (GTC) in Filton, Bristol is a £32m state of the art technology research and manufacturing process development facility which is a hub for world-class innovative technology for the next generation of fuel-efficient aircraft. It includes a collaborative space for research and development with universities, the UK’s CATAPULT network and GKN Aerospace’s UK supply chain, to help strengthen aerospace technology and support the UK’s Industrial strategy.  

We are seeking to recruit a Senior Research Engineer to lead the advancement and implementation of cutting-edge thermal management systems for liquid hydrogen fuel cell aircrafts, ensuring these systems meet the highest standards of performance, safety, and integration. 

How You'll Contribute

• Develop thermal management system solutions from concept through to hardware build, testing on ground demonstrations, and further to integration on a flight trial programme
• Develop analysis methods and processes, along with physics-based modelling tools, to design architectures and optimise the performance and integration of thermal management systems and heat exchangers
• Capture and manage requirements to transform design solutions into validated products
• Capture intellectual property and foster patentable innovations
• Support safety and risk assessments and failure modes analysis
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams across disciplines including systems, aero-thermal, electrical, aircraft design, and safety, to ensure cohesive development and integration of thermal management system
• Manage external project organisations including programme partners, suppliers, and university partners
• Lead and mentor colleagues by providing technical direction and support, fostering an environment of collaboration and innovation
   

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:

• Degree qualified in Engineering or related subject
• Extensive experience in the design, development, and integration of thermal management systems in high-performance applications
• Experience in 1D thermal analysis and simulations (e.g. MATLAB, Simulink or Amesim)
• Experience in 2 & 3D multiphysics and thermal analysis (e.g. Ansys)
• Experience in design using CAD software
• Experience in thermal management system and heat exchanger design, simulation, and optimisation.

Desirable:

• Experience with design, development, modelling, and integration of heat exchangers.  
• Experience with CFD and/or multi-physics FEM.
• Familiarity with aerospace certification processes and standards (e.g. CS25, ARP 4754A, DO160 etc.).
• Experience in functional systems development (e.g. SPARX EA)
• Experience with Hydrogen Fuel Systems, Fuel Cell Systems, Cryogenic Systems, Battery Electric Systems.
• Experience in requirements based engineering (e.g. CodeBeamer, DOORs Next)
• Experience in safety assessments, including FHA, FTA, FMEA/FMECA etc. (e.g. Isograph, Bowtie etc.)

We are looking for people who want to make a difference, talented members with the skills and passions to become the best of the future in what they do. To be successful in this role you will have excellent verbal and written communication skills coupled with the ability to efficient time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines. You will have strong design, analytical, and problem solving capabilities. (Someone whom can identify complex problems, decompose them and solve them).
 

What We'll Offer

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

• Competitive salary dependant on experience
• Opportunity to earn up to 15 %bonus 
• 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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