Software Engineer (Aerospace)

Software Engineer (Aerospace)

Date: May 22, 2026

Location:Papendrecht, NL

Company: GKN Aerospace Careers

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 Aerospace Software Engineer, you will play a key role in developing advanced Engineering software applications, supporting the (automatic) generation of optimized (e.g. cost / weight) electrical wiring designs for future sustainable aircraft. The vision is to radically change the Product Development Process into a front-loaded design process by utilizing Knowledge Based Engineering (KBE) and Multi-disciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) techniques. This allows the re-use of engineering knowledge to significantly reduce design lead-times and optimize the wiring design, which is critical in the increasingly electrified aircraft of today and tomorrow.

What you'll do

A position in the Research & Technology (R&T) department of Fokker Elmo B.V., which is developing new process- and product innovations within the field of aircraft electrical wiring. Fokker Elmo is part of GKN Aerospace.

Daily activities include requirement definition, (KBE) application development and optimization process setup activities. Requirement definition includes the translation from end-user needs into software requirements. KBE tool development includes defining the software architecture, programming, testing and verification.

What you'll bring

Knowledge, experience and qualifications:

• Academic degree (MSc) in scientific and engineering or software discipline, such as Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, OR
• Tangible and demonstrable experience in Software Engineering/Development;
• Knowledge of, and experience in, object-oriented programming languages (e.g. Python) and optionally KBE platforms / systems (e.g. ParaPy);
• Knowledge of, and experience in, KBE and/or MDO;
• Knowledge of issue-tracking tools such as Azure DevOps or Jira
• Affinity with relevant software development processes;
• Experience in (automating) CAD platforms (e.g. CATIA v5, Siemens NX).
• Good verbal and written command of English;

Skills

• Can derive explicit and clear requirements for software and test this with end-user expectations;
• Can create creative and out-of-the-box solutions to solve complex Engineering problems and trade them off against each other;
• Can clearly and effectively translate solution methodologies into software code.

Core competences

• Responsibility: shows ownership and takes appropriate responsibility;
• Growth: has a strong desire for continuous learning and self-improvement
• Analytical ability: able to think at an abstract level and can identify interrelationships;
• Judgement: forms well considered opinions based on available sources and maintains objectivity;
• Collaboration: has a constructive approach to the ideas of others and is able to work harmoniously.
• Communicative: communicates effectively and documents relevant outcome

What we'll offer

We are committed to offer you a challenge but also a great opportunity to learn and grow. We want to offer you a career that can go to many directions thanks to our breadth of international opportunities. By being part of GKN Aerospace that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry, you will know that you will be working towards being the most trusted partner in the aerospace industry. We will support and promote your professional and personal development.
Furthermore, we will offer you:
•    The role is in Grade K and according to the CLA Metalektro,
•    8% holiday allowance,
•    40 paid holidays for full-time employment in line with the Collective Labor Agreement Metalektro (27 holidays and 13 ADV days),
•    An excellent pension scheme (PME) and travel allowance,
•    A pleasant and informal working environment, in which we work together to achieve the best result for our customers.

Next to the attractive package, we will offer you a world of opportunities: we want to see your career fly! We will support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities.

Who we are

Aerospace
A leading player in the design, manufacturing and support for the Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems (EWIS) for Aerospace and Defense programs. Their innovative tools and processes support  customers and represent a Unique Selling Point.

GKN Aerospace is the world’s leading tier one aerospace supplier of systems and components. With over 15,000 employees across 38 manufacturing sites and 4 Global Technology Centers, they serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers with sales of £2.5bn. Fokker Elmo employs >2200 employees worldwide.

Journey
An innovative and international workplace in a company with a rich history in the field of aircraft construction. The company has a passion for technology and their staff is rightly proud of what they develop and build. At Fokker Elmo, you will get every opportunity to build your career and work on your personal development!

How to apply

Please apply online by sending us a Cover Letter and your CV. Due to data privacy reasons we do not handle any applications sent by email. For additional questions you can contact Ioanna Dimitriadi, Talent Acquisition Specialist, via View email address on careers.gknaerospace.com 

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.​
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