Research Technician - Labs & Machining

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Date: 12 Mar 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 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

 

This varied and exciting role will be based at our Global Technology Centre (GTC), Bristol.

The Technician will support the Zone Owner of the common GTC workshop areas to sustain good order of the spaces, maintenance of equipment plus conduct and supervise works in support of GTC projects and stakeholders with a variety of laboratory, testing, machining and polymer printing equipment.

Due to the nature of the work this role will be fully on site.

How You'll Contribute

 

The Technician will be responsible for the following:

Support sustainment of generic workshop areas, such as Labs and Machine Rooms

  • Produce and update risk assessments & work instructions for associated equipment
  • Support management of COSHH
  • Oversee spaces ensuring 5S standards and cleanliness are maintained
  • Preventative Care and Calibration of lab testing equipment and tensile cell
  • Liaise with suppliers and raise Purchase Order Requests for restocking consumables or any required maintenance or repair activitie

Manage Samples & Consumables

  • Manage storage and marking of samples, ensuring well-ordered and traceable system is maintained
  • Ensure ordered storage of key consumables and monitor stock levels

Training & Supervision of new operators

  • Initial equipment familiarisation and hands on training for interns and research staff on testing and machining cells
  • Provide supervision for early users and assess competence

Directly operate and supervise equipment in support of project test campaigns & workshop logistics

  • Coupon Preparation
  • Separation of additively manufactured hard metal parts from base plates via Eddy Discharge Machines / bandsaw
  • Other machining tasking via lathe & mill equipment
  • Set up of polymer printers
  • Support Overhead Crane and Forklift operations

 

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:

  • Proven Experience with manual machining (lathe, Mill, EDM) with formal qualifications, time served apprenticeship or other relevant qualification 
  • Ability to manage multiple projects, keeping stakeholders in key projects informed
  • Good communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Flexible approach to working, can adapt to changes in working hours.
  • Strong understanding of engineering drawings
  • Fundamental knowledge of material properties
  • Good problem-solving skills and attention to detail
  • Ability to work independently and part of a wider team

Desirable:

  • Can do attitude
  • Proven track record of minor works project management
  • Formal HSE training / qualifications
  • First aider

What We'll Offer

 

  • Competitive salary dependent on experience
  • Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis (Copmany contribution 11% maximum)
  • Life Assurance 8 x salary
  • 25 days holiday + bank holidays
  • Flexible working hours including the ability to finish at 12noon on a Friday
  • Income protection
  • Shopping discounts
  • Cycle To Work Scheme
  • Employee Assistance Programme
  • Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family
  • A collaborative, dynamic working environment 

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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