Chief Technologist - Composite Integrated Structures

About GKN Aerospace

A Truly Global Business 

Every day, around the world, we help aircrafts fly further, faster and greener.  We’re the world’s leading tier one aerospace supplier of systems and components. With over 15,000 employees across 41 manufacturing sites in 13 countries serving over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers with sales of £2.8bn. Together as “one GKN” we’re moving our business and industry forward developing technologies that rapidly decarbonise aircraft, and innovating to help build a new generation of planes that produce zero emissions.  We’re putting sustainability at the heart of what we do; driving our objective to becoming a net zero greenhouse gas emissions business before 2050! 

Making a Difference 

It’s great to know you’re making a difference to the future of aviation! Whatever part you play you’ll be helping us deliver operational excellence to our customers.
 

Job Summary

Based in our world leading Global Technology Centre (GTC) we are looking for a Chief Technologist with a background in advanced composite manufacturing process development, across Thermoset and Thermoplastic matrices to help us shape the future of flight.  As chief technologist you will be an integral member of the GTC technology team working on developing advanced composite manufacturing processes for current and future wing applications. Drawing on your diverse engineering background and good business awareness you will help to shape and manage research and development projects in the TRL1-6 range. This is an exciting, and potentially career defining opportunity for the successful applicant to play an integral role in significant and challenging technology development projects. These projects will be a major steppingstone towards achieving greener aviation and helping protect our environment for future generations. 

Job Responsibilities

•  Steer Technology Strategy development, reconciling strategic input from multiple specialist areas within your project(s).
•  Accountability for project technical deliverables, and Customer milestones
•  Identify project budget requirements for subsequent years, and contribute to internal and external positioning to secure funding
•  Authorise Technology Development Plans and Technology Business Cases within your project(s) across composite technology strands
•  Ownership of project(s) Technology Readiness Level and ensuring team delivery is on track
•  Responsible for authorising high quality and detailed technical documentation
•  Line management of core Technology Team including yearly PDP process for direct reports and ensuing that all team members have a robust development plan linked to GKN's TEF
•  Drive project(s) toward exploitation, integrating technologies to mature the product offering and industrialisation scenarios, with a clear view on internal/external value chain in alignment with the Technology Business Case
•  Lead in project stakeholder management, including internal/external customers and the supply chain.
•  Accountable for adherence to GKN EHS policies and procedures in your projects or work streams, you will contribute to a proactive 'safety first' EHS culture in the wider team.
•  Lead in the development of GKN as a 'Great Place to Work', aligned with the core principles - safe, innovative, open & honest, care & respect, and ownership

How You'll Contribute

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:

• Substantial experience gained from a composite manufacturing senior engineering role
• Experience of Thermoset and Thermoplastic composites structures having clearly defined the benefits of each and relevant manufacturing technologies
• Experience of delivering innovative technical work 
• Extensive network in Aerospace and Technology areas relevant to your role
• Experience engaging with production teams to identify operational requirements 
• Experience of setting strategic direction for target products, customer pull and market opportunities
• A relevant Bachelors engineering degree

Desirable:

• Professional network with relevant RTOs or organisations such as the ATI, AGP or CLF at national and international level
• Academic links in your area of expertise with relevant universities at a national and international level
• Experience of line management and operational management of deployed resources
• Experience of responding to new customer bid opportunities
• A higher degree qualification such as a Masters, PhD or EngD
• Chartered Engineer with a relevant institution
   

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. The Chief Technologist will have a passion for seeking out new technologies and exploiting opportunities along with a logical and methodical approach to work package planning and costing. You will be a strong self-starter, skilled in converting ambiguity into clarity, and translating goals into plans. We are looking for someone who is confident and collaborative in their approach to internal/external stakeholder engagement and influencing. 

What We'll Offer

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

• Competitive salary per annum dependent on experience
• £5,500 car allowance per annum
• Opportunity to earn up to 22.5% 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!

Why Join Us

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working
Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN.  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’ last year.  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.

Hybrid Work Approach
We understand our employees thrive by working differently, what works for one may not work for another, offering different ways of working is core to us creating a great employee experience. We’re pleased to provide a hybrid working approach enabling you to balance your time between working remotely and working in our offices.  We’re also keen for our employees to achieve a work life balance so we’re happy to discuss flexible working options with you should the role be able to accommodate it. 

Join us and keep the world moving … click on the link below to apply