Senior Automation Engineer

Job Summary

It’s great to know you’re making a difference to the future of aviation! Whatever part you play you’ll be helping us deliver operational excellence to our customers. Based at our Luton manufacturing plant you’ll do just that. Established in 1993, GKN Aerospace in Luton is a world leader in commercial and military ice protection systems and transparencies. Offering a full range of capabilities; design, analysis, testing, certification and manufacture of electro-thermal ice protection, military fast jet canopies and flight deck windows to over 20 programmes including: Boeing 787, Dreamliner, Airbus A320, AgustaWestland, AW101, Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed, Martin F-22 Raptor. Our customers include Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Bell Helicopters, Textron, BAE Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Leonardo. Our Luton site is home to 370+ employees and onsite facilities including onsite parking, food hub and vending machines.

The Luton Engineering & Technology team is focussed on developing product and manufacturing process technology related to aircraft ice protection systems, transparencies and coatings, and specialist structures for both civil and defence applications. 

As part of our ongoing business growth, we're excited to introduce a newly created role for an experienced Senior Automation Engineer. Joining our E&T Industrialisation team on a permanent basis, you will support a range of Capex, sustainability and NPI projects from cradle to grave across our existing and future programs.

Working with key stakeholders across the site, key objectives are to deliver automated systems in compliance with identified requirements including Productivity, Manufacturing cost, Regulatory/Customer/HSE requirements and adherence to Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) standards, whilst delivering these projects to the agreed Budget and Schedule following recognised project management methodologies.

The Senior Automation Engineer will lead and deliver projects including the Planning, Development, Commissioning and Industrialisation of Manufacturing Systems & Processes for the Luton manufacturing site, with the potential to support operations as and when required.

Core operational hours at our Luton site are: 07:30  - 16:30 Monday to Thursday & 07:30 - 12:30 Friday, there is flexibility with working hours as arranged with the manager. There is the requirement to undertake occasional travel when required nationally and internationally, to meet suppliers.

Job Responsibilities

• NPI – assist in the delivery of designated projects including bid development, planning, delivery, and commissioning of Manufacturing/Automated Systems and Processes for New Product Introduction programmes. Working with Design Engineering and Programme management, they are responsible for delivering a manufacturing system that fulfils all stakeholder requirements (Safety, Logistics, Quality, Producibility & Business case metrics), including development and maturity of Manufacturing processes and documentation.
• Capex - responsible for the delivery of CAPEX projects, from supporting the business case development through equipment specification, procurement, commissioning and implementation and training to ensure productivity & quality targets are met. This includes Identification of new technologies and their development & exploitation, and benchmarking of processes across the GKN portfolio of products.
• Sustainability - lead/support continuous Improvement and obsolescence projects throughout the site as identified by the business.
• Leadership of Projects- responsible for technical leadership of designated Automation projects including manufacturing system design, equipment identification and specification, implementation and deliver of APQP activities to ensure robust process capability and ongoing performance. This includes Project Management, Planning, Resource identification, budgeting, & Project reporting within functional and Enterprise standards.
• Quality – Responsible for ensuring implemented solutions deliver the required quality against specification requirements and further deliver sustained manufactured Product quality and drive a quality mind-set within the engineering team and ensure compliance to agreed Customer, Regulatory, Business and functional standards including AS9145 (ZDM).
• Bids – Working closely with the Bid team and the Design team, be responsible for the delivering technical automation content of bid work including concept manufacturing system design and evaluation, tooling and equipment requirements, assembly requirements, technical risk management.
• Relationships - Maintain positive, team relationships with internal and external customers, key stakeholders within the business. Foster and champion our core values within sphere of influence.

What You'll Bring

To help us make a difference, you’ll bring your passion and talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:

Essential:

• A relevant professional qualification such as HNC/HND/Degree in engineering (e.g. Mechanical, Electrical, Automotive, Controls)
• Demonstrable experience in Automation/Robotics Engineering and demonstrated ability to deliver work in a structured project environment, with evidence of delivering significant improvements in terms of cost/quality of a manufacturing system.
• Ability to influence people, build trust and establish effective working relationships within a global organisation
• Experience of Siemens S7 control systems and programming.
• Familiarity with managing CAPEX / equipment projects through to production implementation.

Desirable:

• Experience of managing New Product / Process introduction (industrialisation) & existing production process improvements
• Working knowledge of LEAN processes and practices
• Working knowledge of quality system models such as ISO9001 or AS9100
• Experience with Fanuc / Allen Bradley control systems would be advantageous.
• Experience with ABB / Kuka / Kawaski Robotic solutions is desirable
• Experience of working with and configuring SCADA systems.

We’re seeking people who want to make a difference — individuals with the talent, drive and passion to shape the future of what they do. In the Senior Automation Engineer role, you’ll thrive in a collaborative, cross‑functional environment, with exceptional organisational and time‑management abilities. You’ll confidently lead and support multiple projects at once, demonstrating strong leadership, initiative and clear communication across all levels of the business.

The position requires UK National Security Vetting (UKNSV) Security clearance (SC) due to the nature and responsibilities of the work carried out. In order for us to obtain an SC you usually need to have been resident in the UK for a minimum of 5 years to current date (but we do assess each case individually).

Note: Some GKN programmes are subject to regulatory restrictions which may impact certain nationalities. As part of the application process you will be asked to declare when applying for this role.

What We'll Offer

Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:

• Competitive salary dependent on experience
• The opportunity to earn up to 15% bonus
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis
• Life Assurance 8 x salary
• 185 hours holiday + bank holidays
• Income protection
• Shopping discounts
• Cycle To Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family
• Free onsite parking
• Local gym discount
• 50% off local travel card
• Free airport Dart
• Free airport parking
• Discount with local nursery and preschool childcare setting
• Enhanced family friendly leave
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment

As well as a competitive package we’ll offer you a world of opportunity. We want to see your career fly! We’ll support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities. That’s the beauty of being part of a global business, once you’re on board you never know where you career journey may take you!

Join us and keep the world moving … click on the link below to apply

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