Research Engineer/Specialist - Digital Engineering & Simulation

We are looking for a Research engineer with an interest in growing career towards research and development activities in the areas of Software Development & Automation. You will be responsible for technically supporting the conceptualisation, development and implementation of digital technologies with focus on improving the aerospace design and manufacturing processes. You will be part of the team to shape and manage research and development projects in the TRL1-6 range, using your diverse skills in latest digital technologies.

Develop, execute, and implement effective methods, plans, and toolsets that ensure compliant and optimized digital solutions aligned with process objectives.
Identify technical challenges and apply integrated solutions using a set-based design approach to drive innovation and efficiency. Analyze customer requirements thoroughly to define technical solutions that inform proposals and support the development of proof of concepts. Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams across multiple sites throughout the development lifecycle. Deliver assigned project outputs, including documentation and reports, aligned with project milestones and quality standards. Actively participate in technical reviews by preparing technical data, presentations, and providing peer support through constructive feedback. Champion Lean culture and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance organizational performance. Engage in regular sprint planning sessions to plan, review, and deliver results in accordance with Agile methodologies. Contribute to the creation of training materials and promote knowledge sharing within the relevant domain. Execute all responsibilities independently while providing support and guidance to fellow engineers within the program.

General:
Exceptional communication and presentation skills, enabling clear and effective collaboration with business stakeholders. Strong knowledge of data pre-processing, annotation, and management tailored to the aerospace sector, with a focus on maintaining data quality and ensuring compliance with industry regulations. Collaborative approach to working closely with aerospace and defence teams to identify challenges and develop customized solutions that optimize processes, reduce costs, and enhance operational efficiency. Deep understanding of aerospace and defence industry workflows, standards, and requirements, complemented by hands-on experience in applying automation across key areas such as design, manufacturing, maintenance, and supply chain. Essential: Bachelor s degree in Engineering or higher, with 5 to 10 years of proven experience in automation and full-stack software development. Strong software engineering expertise, including proficiency in version control systems (e.g., Git), debugging, testing, deployment and thorough documentation practices. Good Knowledge in containerization (e.g., Docker) and orchestration technologies (e.g., Kubernetes), with the ability to deploy and manage scalable applications. Proficient in programming language Python and experienced with both SQL and NoSQL databases. Excellent command of front-end technologies including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Angular, and React. In-depth knowledge of Python web frameworks such as Django, Flask, and FastAPI. Extensive experience with database technologies including MS SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB. Strong understanding of data structures, data modelling, and database architecture. Proven ability to design and implement robust data pipelines for processing large-scale datasets, ensuring data security and compliance with aerospace and defence standards. Adept at evaluating and selecting appropriate tools and technologies, conducting proof-of-concepts (POCs), and mentoring team members to extract insights and enable data-driven decision-making. Knowledge and experience in AI / ML / LLM is an added advantage. Committed to staying abreast of the latest trends in automation, software development, NLP, ML, AI, and LLM technologies, particularly those relevant to the aerospace and defence sector. Enthusiastic about rapidly adopting and integrating emerging technologies into active projects. Strong problem-solving abilities and a collaborative mind-set, with experience working across cross-functional teams including domain experts, data scientists, and engineers to transform requirements into scalable, high-performance applications.

Desirable:
Shall contribute to the development of GKN as a Great Place to Work, aligned with the core principles - safe, innovative, open & honest, care & respect, and ownership Personal Attributes: Be capable of: o Working in research projects o Focus on continuous improvement and problem solving o Commit to relationship building with customers and colleagues o Work effectively with diverse groups of people

Consistently demonstrate the following attributes and values:
o Recognise what people need from you and respond flexibly o Demonstrates interpersonal sensitivity o Builds confidence in others o Hunger for continuous learning, growth and curiosity with an innovative mind set o Stretch out of comfort zone o Challenge assumptions and hearsay, and look for evidence o Trusts people to do their job Personal knowledge: o Knows what drives profit within their business area o Knows the key stakeholders o In depth knowledge of own industry and customers