Hydrogen Systems Internship - Systems & Control

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

GKN Aerospace Global Technology Centre in Bristol is the company's flagship aerospace research and development hub, bringing together engineers, researchers and industry partners to develop next-generation aircraft technologies, advanced manufacturing processes and sustainable aviation solutions. It plays a key role in innovations such as lightweight composite structures, electrification, hydrogen-powered flight technologies and the decarbonisation of aerospace.

We are currently recruiting a number of Year in Industry internship opportunities at our Bristol GTC.

As a Year in Industry student, you'll have the opportunity to work on real projects that contribute to the future of aerospace. You'll gain hands-on experience, receive support from industry experts, and develop valuable skills that will accelerate your career. Our interns make a genuine impact from day one and are trusted to contribute to meaningful work across the business.

Location: GKN Aerospace Global Technology Centre, Bristol, UK

Contract: 12-month industrial placement

Start Date: August/September 2027

What You'll Be Doing

The internship will support the Hydrogen Systems team working on flagship programmes, H2FlyGHT and ICEFlight, which develop electrical and cryogenic power distribution technologies for zero-emissions flight. We are seeking talented candidates who want to gain exposure to the development of next generation aircraft.

Main Activities and Responsibilities:

• Systems Engineering framework deployment.
• Requirements development & management.
• Create technical documentation, test reports and engineering data analysis helping us move to a more MBSE style knowledge management.
• Connect and integrate between multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Create and run simulation models within virtual environment(s).
• Developing and testing control strategies, using model-based design.
• Deploy software and test within a real-time computing environment.
• Operate low-power Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) test rig representing an electric aircraft.
• Fault find and solve problems with control and software issues.

What You'll Bring

If you’re working towards a degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Control, Electrical/Electronic, Automation Engineering or a related field, this is your chance to contribute to a future of zero-emission flight.

What we are looking for:

Essential

• Studying towards a relevant degree which includes substantial Controls and/or Systems Engineering modules.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink, Python or similar engineering tools.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Motivated and organised.

Desirable

• Good understanding of control theory & its practical implementation.
• Awareness of system thinking & systems engineering fundamentals.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings and schematics.
• Knowledge of requirements engineering and V model.
• Awareness of Hardware-in-the-Loop testing and system integration.
• Knowledge of HDL programming and experience with FPGA development.
• Knowledge of sensor integration and communication protocols.
• A keen interest in Aerospace.

What We'll Offer

We have an opportunity available for aspiring engineers to join our Hydrogen Systems team on a 12-month industrial placement for academic year 27/28. The expected start date is the end of August 2027.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse yourself in innovative aerospace projects, develop cutting-edge technologies, and gain experience that could define your career. If you’re a self-starter looking for a varied and challenging placement, we want to hear from you!

Here's what to look forward to when you join us:

• Starting salary of £24,500, plus a £500 starting bonus
• Be part of a broad Year in Industry intern community
• Work alongside world leading Technical Authorities and Fellows
• Work at GKNs flagship Global Technology Centre in Bristol
• Flexible working hours, including the ability to finish early on Fridays
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Opportunity to balance theoretical learning with practical hands-on delivery
• An industry leading pension scheme, 1.5x employee contribution (max 12%)
• Collaborative, dynamic working environment

Kick-start your career in aerospace and become part of GKN’s team. Apply now!

What To Expect In The Selection Process

Throughout this process we try to utilise human interaction as much as we can. Here's what to expect:

1. Apply online by completing our application form (closing date is Sunday the 29th of November).

2. Successful candidates will be invited to take part in an online behavioural assessment. You will have 2 weeks to complete the assessment.

3. Dependent on number of applications we may ask you to complete a video submission with pre-provided questions .

4. Shortlisted candidates with be invited to an Assessment Centre at the Global Technology Centre in Bristol, on Tuesday the 9th of February 2027. This is where you will get the chance to meet the team and showcase your skills and potential.

5. For successful candidates your journey with us will commence late August 2027, as part of our Global Technology Centre Year in Industry Intern Programme.

*Please note that GKN Aerospace reserves the right to change this process if we feel it will benefit our hiring process. This will be communicated to any relevant candidates as necessary.

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.