Advanced Lead Composite Development Engineer

Job Description Summary

Here at Dowty, a GE Aerospace company, we have an exciting opportunity for an Advanced Lead Composite Development Engineer to join our team of propulsion systems experts onsite at our cutting edge manufacturing site near Gloucester. This position has come about to meet our expanding capabilities during the exciting growth we're experiencing as Dowty continues to support and contribute to open fan technology via the CFM partnership.

You'll be responsible for leading key composite engineering workstreams supporting NTI/NPI design, development, validation, and industrialization for advanced composite blade manufacturing and repair technologies for next-generation Integrated Propeller Systems.

This role operates as a lead technical contributor within the NTI/NPI Composite Development team and partners closely with cross-functional teams to deliver safe, high-quality, manufacturable, and cost-effective composite solutions.

Job Description

• Reporting to the Composite Development Manager, this position requires strong technical depth in composite engineering, sound engineering judgment, and demonstrated experience leading complex development efforts from concept through validation and early industrialization.
• The role provides day-to-day technical leadership within assigned programs or workstreams and contributes to broader engineering capability through mentoring, standardization, and problem solving.  
• You'll be instrumental in leading significant technical work, able to influence engineering decisions within its scope of responsibility, and support continuous improvement in composite design and manufacturing methods.
• As a lead engineer role you'll have meaningful cross-functional impact and joint enterprise authority for composite strategy.  

Roles and Responsibilities 

• Lead assigned composite component and manufacturing development activities, including design, development, substantiation, validation, and in-service or production support.  
• Provide technical leadership in composite materials, laminate design, ply architecture, tooling, V&V, producibility, repair methods, and failure analysis.  
• Define and execute test and validation plans for composite materials, processes, and hardware, ensuring alignment with program, certification, and quality requirements.  
• Lead technical investigations and support resolution of manufacturing, quality, and field issues related to composite materials or processes.  
• Partner with manufacturing, quality, sourcing, and supply chain teams to improve manufacturability, process capability, yield, and cost.  
• Support qualification and early industrialization of composite materials, tooling, and manufacturing processes for new product introduction.  
• Identify technical risks within assigned scope, develop mitigation plans, and provide recommendations to support timely engineering decisions.  
• Lead or facilitate design reviews, technical reviews, and cross-functional problem-solving activities.  
• Mentor less experienced engineers and contribute to development of best practices, standard work, and lessons learned in composite engineering.  
• Contribute to technology roadmaps and continuous improvement initiatives in composite design and manufacturing.  

Essential Experience For This Role

• Composite Engineering.
• Composite Failure Analysis / Failure Modes.
• Product Design and Development.
• Design for Manufacture (DFM).
• Industrial / Manufacturing Environment Experience.

Flexible Working

GE supports and encourages flexible working arrangements, where possible, and recognises the benefits to employees of having a positive work-life balance.

Total Reward

At GE Aerospace we understand the importance of Total Reward. Our flexible benefits plan, called FlexChoice, gives you freedom, choice and flexibility in the way you receive your benefits, as well as giving you the opportunity to make savings where possible.

As a new joiner to GE we are pleased to be able to offer you the following as default in your benefit fund, which you then can tailor to meet your individual needs;

• Non-contributory Pension          
• Life Assurance
• Group income protection            
• Private medical cover    
• Holiday Hourly equivalent of 26 days, with flexible option to buy or sell.

Security Clearance

Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance is required and must be maintained for this role. Please note that in the event that BPSS clearance cannot be obtained, you may not be eligible for the role and/or any offer of employment may be withdrawn on grounds of national security. Please see the link below for further details regarding the requirements for BPSS clearance: BPSS

Right to Work

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, under the applicable UK immigration rules as may be in place from time to time, it may be that candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be appointed to a post if a suitably qualified, experienced and skilled candidate who does not require sponsorship is available to take up the post. For further information please visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Additional Information