Senior Engineer - Materials & Special Processes
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 21, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 2, 2026.
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
The Materials and Processes Department (M&P) is an integral part of the Design Engineering function. Acting in cooperation with Design and Stress disciplines, the M&P department provides knowledge, expertise and support on materials and manufacturing processes to all engineering activities, along with support of product development and manufacturing activities.
For this role we are looking for an experienced professional who can support both production activities and technology programmes (approx. 50% each).
This is a key role that will support GKN sites in Bristol covering Western Approach as well as all related activities in our Global Technology Centre, dividing the working week between the two sites.
How You'll Contribute
As Senior Engineer Materials & Processes you will be responsible for the following:
- Support operational and development programs to enable and deliver zero defect projects utilising engineering and problem-solving skills
- Accountable for delivering robust, manufacturing process technologies as applied to materials, tooling, part fabrication and assembly
- Promote GKN’s technical capability globally to the broader technical eco-system, including customers, suppliers and steering groups
- Collect inputs, related to a task and take it through an identified process to produce an output / deliverable adhering to quality and schedule requirements
- Prepare and define tests/test plans; critical and systematic interpretation and analysis of test data, applying the outcome of tests for substantiation of specification changes
- Define activities in a project-oriented fashion with identification of deliverables, milestones and associated planning
- Provide troubleshooting and production support on composite materials part manufacturing
- Handle non-conformances related to the expertise area
- Interface with customers on a technical (M&P) level
- Maintain contacts with suppliers regarding alternatives/new products
- Write, review and approve M&P documentation including tease and qualification plans and reports
- Advise on the selection, testing, evaluation and qualification of materials and processes
- Lead projects or work packages
- Support production activities
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:
- BSc /MSc in one of the following skill areas: Chemistry/ Materials Science / Aerospace Engineering
- Knowledge of or experience in composite materials (manufacturing processes, qualification, handling of production deviations)
- Minimum of 5 years relevantexperience within an aerospace environment
- Experience with quality systems, specifications and standards
- Team player at all levels in the Industrial, pro-active attitude, but also capable of acting on an individual basis and reporting back to the relevant parties within GKN
What We'll Offer
Once you’re on board, you’ll get the following perks and benefits:
- Competitive salary dependent on experience
- Up to 15% Bonus
- Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1:1.5 basis (Employer max contribution 12%)
- 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.