Research Technician - Additive Manufacturing

Job Summary

As a Research Technician, you will work in cross-functional team operating cutting-edge metallic additive robotic welding cells. Your everyday tasks will be to work within GKN Aerospace’s US Global Technology Center (GTC) operating and maintaining some of the world’s largest Laser Wire Directed Energy Deposition (DED) Additive Manufacturing (AM) equipment. You will take on a wide range of tasks focused on AM equipment operation as well as general shop work such as operating a CNC mill, bandsaw, hand saws, drills, and other hand tools, while working in collaboration with technology engineers. 
You will support development, integration and implement technical solutions and documentation compliant with all relevant customer, regulatory, and airworthiness requirements, within agreed program, schedule, and manufacturing constraints. 
 

Job Responsibilities

• Operate laser wire DED additive manufacturing (AM) equipment to implement new manufacturing processes into aerospace production
• Support development of AM technology for aerostructure applications
• Carry out written operation instructions for AM components 
• Coordinate robotic cell maintenance activities with internal and external resources
• Support internal engineering by improving operating instructions, maintenance procedures, etc for AM equipment
• Develop internal standards for operation, maintenance, and production of laser wire DED equipment for aerostructure applications
• Will be required to work alternative hours as necessary with sufficient advisory periodically
• Maintain robotic, laser welding, and sensor equipment to ensure consistent operation
• Improve reliability and robustness of additive manufacturing equipment 
• Maintain database of all AM produced parts 
• Identify technical problems and apply/integrate solutions
• Actively participate in program to promote Healthy & Safety of team members.
• Identify, manage and mitigate risks for assigned work.
• Frequently required to spend long hours sitting at a workstation and using office laptop  
• Will need to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move up to 40 pounds of equipment or materials  
• Will be required to reach with arms and hands and to stoop, kneel or crouch
• Use machine tools to cut, drill, machine, or general fabrication skills as needed

Job Qualifications

Required Qualifications 

• 2+ years of relevant experience in welding, robotics, mechatronics, or machining
• 2+ years of Experience with metal fabrication
• Proficient use of hand tools to disassemble and reassemble mechanical components
• Proficient in Microsoft Office tools
• Strong computer and typing skills 
• Must be a US Persons (US Citizen, Green Card Holder / US permanent resident, refugee or asylee) to meet export control compliance requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with metallic directed energy deposition additive manufacturing technologies
• Aerospace production experience
• Mechatronic hardware integration and/or programming experience
• CNC machining and programming experience
• Experience with lasers and laser safety
• Experience with aerospace materials including titanium alloys 
• Experience with non-destructive testing techniques and application
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes data related to traditional and additive manufacturing including machining, heat treatment, and inspection
• Able to act under own initiative in relation to the assigned tasks within defined functional procedures / governance