Senior Engine Performance Research Engineer
Date: Jun 29, 2026
Location: Trollhattan, SE
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.
About us
The Global Technology Center (GTC) is where we at GKN Aerospace work together to develop the technologies of the future, supporting the vision of sustainable aviation and the protection of democratic values. We enable the company to meet current and future challenges in the aerospace industry and deliver better products to our customers.
To fulfil our mission, we establish and maintain strategic technology partnerships with key customers, companies, and academia. We identify new R&D opportunities that help mature technologies to TRL 6, manage intellectual property, invest in infrastructure, and, most importantly, invest in our people.
We are looking for individuals who want to make a difference—talented people with the skills and passion to become the best in what they do.
Summary
We are now looking for a Senior Engine Performance Research Engineer to join our Future Concepts department within the Global Technology Center (GTC).
Future Concepts focuses on developing and analysing next-generation aero engine technologies and propulsion concepts. We support strategic decisions and technology development by combining performance analysis, conceptual design, and multidisciplinary engineering.
This is an opportunity to work with advanced propulsion concepts and contribute with your experience in a collaborative and research-driven environment.
About the role
In this role, you will work with performance analysis and concept development of aero engines and propulsion systems.
You will contribute to both current engines and future concepts, supporting activities ranging from early concept studies to more detailed analysis. The work is carried out in close collaboration with other engineering disciplines and includes both internal development work and participation in research collaborations.
You are expected to take responsibility for technically complex tasks and contribute with your experience to guide analysis approaches and engineering decisions.
The role provides the opportunity to develop a broad technical understanding of aero engines while contributing to future sustainable aviation technologies.
Qualifications and personal attributes
• Performance analysis of aero engines in service and future concepts
• Engine and aircraft concept studies, including mission analysis, configuration, and sizing
• Component and system-level trade studies
• Collaboration with disciplines such as aerodynamics, turbomachinery, mechanical design, thermal analysis, and controls
• Development of integrated aero engine systems and demonstrators, from concept to implementation and post-test analysis, with a focus on engine function and performance
• Development of analysis methods and tools
• Documentation and presentation of technical results internally and externally
• Participation in research and technology development projects with partners
• Responsibility for complex analyses and studies, ensuring quality and technical robustness
• Contribution to defining analysis approaches, methods, and best practices within the team
• Guidance and support to colleagues in technical topics
• Representation of the team in technical discussions with internal and external stakeholders
• Identification of technology gaps and new opportunities for technology development.
• Contribution to the development of GKN as a 'Great Place to Work', aligned with our core principles: safe, innovative, open & honest, care & respect, and ownership.
Qualifications
• MSc or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Physics, or equivalent
• Strong knowledge of thermodynamics, aerodynamics, gas turbines, and propulsion systems
• Proven experience in performance analysis, simulation and conceptual design from aerospace industry or relevant academic research
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams
• Good communication skills in Swedish and English, both written and spoken
Meritorious
• Experience with gas turbine simulation tools (e.g. NPSS, Gasturb, Proosis)
• Programming skills (e.g. Python, MATLAB, C++ or similar)
• Understanding of aircraft performance or propulsion integration
• Experience in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), including requirement management, system architecture modelling, functional decomposition, and development of logical and physical architectures
Personal Attributes
We are looking for someone who:
• Has a strong interest in aerospace and propulsion technologies
• Is curious and motivated by complex technical challenges
• Is comfortable taking responsibility and driving work forward independently
• Shares knowledge and mentors junior engineers
• Takes a structured and analytical approach to problem solving
• Enjoys working collaboratively across disciplines
• Communicates clearly and effectively
• Shows initiative and contributes to a positive and innovative team environment
Application
The selection process takes place continuosly. The position may therefore be filled before the application deadline. Therefore, do not wait with your application!
Last date for application: 2026-08-30
For more information, please contact hiring manager:
Eric Blidmark, GTC Engineering manager
Eric.Blidmark@gknaerospace.com
As part of our recruitment strategy at GKN, we have predetermined our recruitment and marketing channels. Therefore, we kindly request no contact from recruitment agencies, media sales, or similar entities.
The position requires that you undergo and be approved according to the current regulations for security protection. For positions where GKN's customer has requirements for security classification, this may, in some cases, involve specific citizenship requirements.
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.
