Research Technician - Additive Manufacturing

GKN Aerospace •

Westlake, Texas, United States

Position Type: Permanent

Job Description:

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 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90 of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of 3.35 bn.in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

As a Research Technician, you will work in cross-functional team operating cutting-edge metallic additive robotic welding cells. Your everyday tasks will be to work within GKN Aerospace’s US Global Technology Center (GTC) operating and maintaining some of the world’s largest Laser Wire Directed Energy Deposition (DED) Additive Manufacturing (AM) equipment. You will take on a wide range of tasks focused on AM equipment operation as well as general shop work such as operating a CNC mill, bandsaw, hand saws, drills, and other hand tools, while working in collaboration with technology engineers.
You will support development, integration and implement technical solutions and documentation compliant with all relevant customer, regulatory, and airworthiness requirements, within agreed program, schedule, and manufacturing constraints.

Job Responsibilities

Operate laser wire DED additive manufacturing (AM) equipment to implement new manufacturing processes into aerospace production
Support development of AM technology for aerostructure applications
Carry out written operation instructions for AM components
Coordinate robotic cell maintenance activities with internal and external resources
Support internal engineering by improving operating instructions, maintenance procedures, etc for AM equipment
Develop internal standards for operation, maintenance, and production of laser wire DED equipment for aerostructure applications
Will be required to work alternative hours as necessary with sufficient advisory periodically
Maintain robotic, laser welding, and sensor equipment to ensure consistent operation
Improve reliability and robustness of additive manufacturing equipment
Maintain database of all AM produced parts
Identify technical problems and apply/integrate solutions
Actively participate in program to promote Healthy & Safety of team members.
Identify, manage and mitigate risks for assigned work.
Frequently required to spend long hours sitting at a workstation and using office laptop
Will need to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move up to 40 pounds of equipment or materials
Will be required to reach with arms and hands and to stoop, kneel or crouch
Use machine tools to cut, drill, machine, or general fabrication skills as needed

Job Requirements:
Job Qualifications

Required Qualifications

2+ years of relevant experience in welding, robotics, mechatronics, or machining
2+ years of Experience with metal fabrication
Proficient use of hand tools to disassemble and reassemble mechanical components
Proficient in Microsoft Office tools
Strong computer and typing skills
Must be a US Persons (US Citizen, Green Card Holder / US permanent resident, refugee or asylee) to meet export control compliance requirements

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with metallic directed energy deposition additive manufacturing technologies
Aerospace production experience
Mechatronic hardware integration and/or programming experience
CNC machining and programming experience
Experience with lasers and laser safety
Experience with aerospace materials including titanium alloys
Experience with non-destructive testing techniques and application
Knowledge of manufacturing processes data related to traditional and additive manufacturing including machining, heat treatment, and inspection
Able to act under own initiative in relation to the assigned tasks within defined functional procedures / governance

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.

Job Ident #: 1140059801

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Research Technician - Additive Manufacturing

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