Principal Research Engineer - Digital Engineering & Technology (Bristol, GB)

The Principal Research Engineer - Process Development will be responsible for the following:

Lead the definition and development of system and component designs for cryogenic-electrical power distribution across the full operating temperature range from 20 K to 70 °C, ensuring compliance with applicable safety, airworthiness, and certification requirements.

Lead the definition and development of system architectures and concepts for MW-class cryogenic-electrical power distribution systems operating at temperatures down to 25 K, ensuring alignment with programme and business objectives.

Own the end-to-end development of system requirements, providing governance across requirements management, safety assessment, risk mitigation and compliance through design into a validated and certifiable physical product.

Define and govern design principles, material selections, and technology specifications, ensuring robust, scalable, and cost-effective solutions that meet performance, safety, and airworthiness expectations.

Lead validation, verification and qualification strategies, defining compliance routes through analysis, simulation, and test (e.g. DO-160) and providing technical leadership to certification planning and engagement.

Provide functional and technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams, chairing design and peer reviews, assuring technical quality of deliverables, and supporting capability growth through coaching and mentoring.

Generate and protect intellectual property, shaping cryogenic technology development in line with GKN Aerospace Hydrogen Systems’ long-term technology roadmaps.

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:

Minimum B.Eng degree or equivalent and qualified with 8 years relevant experience

Strong understanding of thermodynamic and mechanical principles, with the ability to apply first-principles engineering to real-world technical challenges.

Demonstrated experience in the development, integration, and evaluation of cryogenic systems.

Experience with high-current power systems employing superconducting and/or hyperconducting technologies at cryogenic temperatures.

Solid understanding of the effects of cryogenic environments on material properties and the resulting implications for system and component design.

Experience across the full product development lifecycle for cryogenic equipment, from concept definition through detailed design, drawing development and technical review.

Experience in functional and physical system development at component and system levels.

Experience conducting and contributing to safety assessments and risk evaluations.

Experience defining and managing technical work packages internally and with external partners, including specifications and statements of work.Experience reviewing, approving, and leading design reviews to assure technical quality and compliance.

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. ​ ​