Chemical Engineering Placement 2024

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

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.

At our GKN Filton site, we specialise in the design and manufacture of large complex structural wing assemblies, detailed metallic components and wing systems for a combination of both civil and military aircraft, all of which undertake various chemical treatment and protection processes.

We are seeking talented candidates who want to gain exposure to a range of industrial processes and operation environments, while owning and supporting projects to help GKN be the most sustainable partner in the sky.

As an intern on a 12 month placement, you will be placed with the Engineering Manager and will be expected to support projects in the field of manufacturing engineering within our treatments value stream, while working in a high-paced team environment, focused on delivering value to GKN customers.

The placement will start between August – October dependent on University requirements.

How you'll contribute

• Support investigation of the entire value chain for specific areas of the manufacturing business. Identifying opportunities for improvement and new approaches that maximize production & energy efficiency, delivering differentiating aerospace manufacturing solutions
• Document research and development activities in technical reports, memos, procedures, specifications and presentations
• Work as part of a multi-functional team including design, manufacturing engineering, quality assurance, operations and HSE. Develop processes, working closely with the business units to ensure successful implementation within the manufacturing businesses
• Support the 5 GKN principles, supporting the engineering team meeting and surpassing site targets in delivering world-class, differentiating solutions
• Ensure/maintain HSE standards and adherence to processes, developing procedures where required to support the implementation of new technologies at Filton
• Generate and support internal and external communications to inform the business of projects and progress, and promote awareness of the team’s capabilities

What you'll bring

The role requires an innovative individual who is passionate about engineering. The individual will be able to generate and develop novel concepts to support business and engineering targets. Additionally you’ll possess the following skills and attributes.

Essential

• Working towards/obtained a degree in the field of Chemistry or Chemical Engineering 
• Has a general understanding of the whole manufacturing value chain, from materials through to design, manufacture and testing
• Can demonstrate a logical approach to problem-solving & excellent technical writing skills

Desirable

• Organised and methodical - has the ability to plan, monitor and control projects to schedule and budget
• Is a strong self-starter, enthusiastic, results-driven, customer focused, and consistently delivers to high standards

What we'll offer

The internship offers individuals a 12 month paid opportunity solving real world engineering challenges; giving opportunity to utilize practical problem solving tools, gathering and analyzing live data and actively advocating process improvement. Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:

• An annual salary of £18,000
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis
• 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 

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!

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. ​