Principal Research Engineer Machining
Date: Jul 27, 2026
Location: Bristol, GB
Company: GKN Aerospace Careers
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 32 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.6bn in 2025. There are no limits to where you can take your career.
Job Summary
As Principal Research Engineer you will take on the role of Work Stream Lead (technical programme manager) for Subtractive Technology (Machining).
The purpose of this role is to identify and technically programme manage the execution of machining innovation activities and to lead the subtractive manufacturing team as line manager.
You will have a strong track record in leading teams, leading technical work, managing budgets, schedule and risk.
Based at our Global Technoloy Centre Bristol, this role offers a hybrid working pattern.
How You'll Contribute
- Lead the subtractive manufacturing team as line manager and as technical leader, driving engagement and high team performance.
- Lead machining technology development in the TRL3 to TRL6 range ensuring high quality technical documentation is delivered and good project governance is undertaken.
- Deliver machining technology into operational sites across GKN.
- Ensure machining activities are completed, on time, to quality and to cost.
- Be the point of contact for machining technology development within the GKN Global Technology Centre managing internal and external stakeholder relationships.
What You'll Bring
To help us make a difference, you’ll bring your passion and expertise/ talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:
Essential:
- Substantial industrial experience within a machining environment.
- You will have experience of leading a technical team incorporating budget, schedule management and reporting.
- You will have a strong track-record in delivering innovative technical work, project risk management, and adapting to changing requirements and budget.
- You will have experience of delivering machining technology innovation into operational manufacturing environments within a highly regulated environment.
- Domain expertise in subtractive manufacturing technologies, with a focus on milling.
Desirable:
- Be a subject matter expert in machining one of the following materials: composites, aluminium or titanium.
- Expertise in turning and grinding.
- Working knowledge of CNC programming, machining hardware, simulation, cutting tools, material science, machine dynamics.
- Direct experience of operating machining centres.
- A wide network of machining expertise to draw upon across academia and/or tooling suppliers.
Education
Essential:
- A relevant, accredited engineering degree
Desirable:
- A higher degree qualification such as a Masters, PhD or EngD
- Chartered Engineer with a relevant institution
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.
