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Specialists in
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Aerospace and Defence
KDC Resource has been operating in the aerospace and defence sector since 2002. We work with the world’s leading defence and civil aerospace companies to source and place high quality permanent and contract talent. We understand organisations like these need the finest engineering talent in order to help them develop some of the most sophisticated technologies in the world. We are currently engaged in finding leading technical talent for projects – among others – that are linked to the national defence of the United Kingdom. Our specialist team have successfully supported our clients find leading talent for roles across: Part 21 J, Certification, Cabin Interiors, Design, Avionics Design, Structures, Electrical Design, Compliance Verification Engineer (CVE), Head of Design, Airworthiness and EASA. KDC Resource is actively working on similar roles requiring industry leading professionals to fulfil roles at all levels. Scroll down to learn more. Or if you’d like to partner with KDC to support your talent search then click here to learn more.
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Space
The private Space sector is relatively young. The decommissioning of the Space Shuttle Programme was an opportunity for private businesses to support NASA with its operations both in orbit and beyond. Elsewhere in the world organisations are pioneering new satellite technologies, unmanned probes and innovative new ways to combat space junk. KDC Resource are proud to be working with a number of these organisations providing highly skilled technical talent into Flight Dynamics, AOCS, Earth Observation, GNSS, Mission Operations, Ground Segment and Payload. Our specialist recruitment consultants are actively searching for industry leading professionals to fulfil roles at all levels including Systems Engineers, Payload Engineers, AOCS Engineers, Product Assurance Engineers, RF Engineers and Control Engineers. Or if you’d like to partner with KDC to support your talent search then click here to learn more.
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Emerging and Disruptive Technologies
The world is always changing and that brings new opportunities and new innovations. At KDC Resource, our emerging and disruptive technologies team works with organisations that upset the status quo. Whether that’s how we travel or how we use technology to revolutionise mundane tasks. We have recruited for roles across the eVTOL, Urban Mobility, Electric Vehicle, Drone, Energy, Battery Technology, Autonomous Systems and Composite Structure markets. Including roles such as Battery Systems Engineers, Flight Control Law Engineers, AI Software Developers, Prototype Engineers, Autonomous System Engineers, and Safety and Reliability Engineers. Our specialist recruitment consultants are actively searching for industry leading professionals to fulfil roles at all levels. Or if you’d like to partner with KDC to support your talent search then click here to learn more.
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Cyber Security
Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly common and businesses of all sizes are struggling to muster a meaningful defence. There are genuine concerns that critical infrastructure could be targeted by hackers or by enemy states in event of a conflict. Which is why finding the best cyber security and technology specialists takes experts. We are proud to work with some of the market leaders in this vital industry to find top tier candidates to fulfil cybersecurity roles at every level. Roles we recruit for include: Penetration Testers, Ethical Hackers, Security Analysts, Cyber Security Architects, Software Engineers, Technical Project Managers, AI Engineers, Sales Managers and Cyber Account Executives. Our specialist recruitment consultants are actively searching for industry leading professionals to fulfil roles at all levels. Or if you’d like to partner with KDC to support your talent search then click here to learn more.
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What people are saying
What we do
We work with industry leaders in aerospace, defence, space, emerging and disruptive technology and cyber security to source the best technical and engineering talent on the market.
Our specialist recruitment consultants are trained to find the right mix of skills, experience and personality to ensure the perfect placement for candidate and client.
Over 150,000 candidates trust us to manage and fulfil their career aspirations.
We’re committed to giving candidates and clients the best possible recruitment experience. That’s why KDC Resource is accredited by the REC & AUG and certified to BS EN ISO 9001 standard.
Latest News
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Is this the solution to affordable and environmentally friendly small space launches?
Self-Eating rocket gains financial backing by UK Government One of the most problematic issues facing space launches is not only the cost but factoring in space debris. A group of engineers at the University of Glasgow may have found the solution; a self-eating rocket. A development that was announced two years ago [1], has finally won support from the UK Government [2]. A ‘self-eating’ rocket engine which aims to put small payloads into orbit by burning its own structure as propellant has been pledged £90,000 by DASA, part of the Ministry of Defence. In a press release by the University of Glasgow, they explain that the autophage engines have already been test-fired using all-solid propellant. The funding will underwrite the required research to enable the use of a more energetic hybrid propellant: a solid tube of fuel that contains a liquid oxidiser. The engine is due to be test-fired at Kingston University in London, next year. Dr Patrick Harkness, of the James Watt School of Engineering, said: “We’re thrilled to have DASA in support of the autophage programme. The new propellants will take us closer to viability, because they contain enough energy to reach orbit in a smaller launch vehicle. “The specific payloads we are targeting include the small satellites for which Glasgow is becoming increasingly well-known. At the moment it often takes a long time to launch these, because they need to be grouped for a flight on a larger rocket, and that large rocket is often launched from sites in the USA or Kazakhstan. It can take years. “It would be much better to use a smaller rocket, matched to our smaller payloads, and to launch from the UK. However, that’s difficult because scaling down a rocket reduces the mass of the propellant more than it reduces the mass of all the other components, including the tanks that hold the propellant itself. That’s why rockets today are fundamentally the same size they were in the 1950s. “The autophage concept is simple: burn the tanks as well. That saves the excess mass, and it means that we can miniaturise the vehicle without hitting this wall. “The body of a hybrid autophage rocket will be a tube of solid fuel, containing a liquid oxidiser. The entire assembly will be consumed, from the bottom up, by an engine which will vaporise the fuel tube, add the oxidiser, and burn the mixture to create thrust. The engine will have consumed the entire body of the rocket by the time the assembly reaches orbit, and only the payload will be left. It is a much more mass-efficient process.” The self eating rocket engine is tested in Ukraine (Image courtesy of the University of Glasgow) The technical development is currently being conducted by Krzysztof Bzdyk, who left NASA to oversee the development of the engine at the University of Glasgow. Discussing the project, he explained, “The engine has to run hot enough to vaporise the fuel tube, but at the same time not destroy itself in service. We will use the cold fuel tube coming into the engine as means of controlling temperature, in a process called regenerative cooling. But even so, the test article will have to be made of exotic materials, like tungsten and graphite, at least until we fully understand the temperatures inside.” Dr Peter Shaw, senior lecturer in astronautics within the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing at Kingston University, said: “We’re delighted to be collaborating with DASA and the University of Glasgow to carry out the test firing of this engine at our new rocket lab at the University’s Roehampton Vale campus. “As the UK’s space industry continues to grow and thrive, our investment in these facilities will provide a platform to support the next generation of emerging talent and allow us to partner with other institutions to help the country achieve its space ambitions.” Dr Harkness added: “Demand for these types of launches could reach as many as 3,000 a year by the middle of this decade – a potential global market value of £100m. “Smaller rockets like this, which could be launched from sites here in Britain, could be the key to unlocking that market. The UK has a strategic aim to secure 10% of the worldwide space industry by 2030, and we believe that our autophage engine is uniquely well-placed to help deliver on that ambition. We’re looking forward to continuing our work to develop the engine and help the UK find its place in space.” Sources: [1] https://www.gla.ac.uk/news/archiveofnews/2018/may/headline_586616_en.html [2] https://www.gla.ac.uk/news/headline_756078_en.html
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Can EU-wide passenger testing protocol reinvigorate the Aerospace industry?
Aviation bodies urge heads of EU to implement pre-flight passenger testing Aviation bodies urge heads of EU to implement pre-flight passenger testing Within a joint letter [1] to the EC President, EU heads of state, and health ministers, they propose a common framework for pre-departure testing to save millions of jobs, whilst reuniting families for the holiday season. They propose including cross-border travellers arriving from areas of high transmission, into a targeted testing system of asymptomatic people. This is claimed to be “a more effective response to COVID-19 as this would limit transmission risks from incoming travellers more effectively than quarantines.” It is claimed that the current system of ‘detrimental travel restrictions’ (quarantines) currently allows asymptomatic people to travel, and by implementing the new protocol, it would mitigate the local confinement measures, whilst providing air connectivity and restoring the free moment within the EU/Schengen area. The protocol, named as the (EU-TPT) system, would “serve as a lifeline to the millions of workers in the travel and tourism sectors whose jobs remain at risk”. They claim that “Member States’ uncoordinated travel restrictions have not only prevented the recovery of air transport but have also proven ineffective.” For this system to be effective, some criteria must be integrated into the travel process. It must be performed at speed, on a sufficient scale, whilst being accurate to high sensitivity and specificity. It must also be supported by a system of mutual recognition across EU/EEA/Switzerland and by UK regulators. Also, it must be either publicly financed or placed at an affordable cost for passengers. With air traffic down by 66.3% year to date [2], a second wave coupled with aggressive quarantine systems implemented across Europe, a successfully implemented framework across the board could be the solution to effectively re-establish air connectivity, whilst simultaneously reducing the spread of the virus. [1]https://www.iata.org/contentassets/3101659697ba4b8aa47a69268d8d4da3/covid19-testing-recovery-air-industry.pdf [2]https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/pr/2020-10-02-01/
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5 key changes that will make EVs the preferred mode of transport
For many years I have researched Electric Vehicles, drooling over the prospect of owning a Tesla Model X. However, as someone passionate in helping the environment, I have struggled to find an Electric Car that I could purchase. It has made think, if somebody like me, that fantasises over owning an EV will not buy one, why would anyone? What is stopping me from buying one and why are EV's not filling up our roads? Throughout this post, I investigate what the potential obstructions are and why electric cars do not have a higher market share. Here are five key factors that will help make electric the preferred mode of transport. 1 - Heavy promotion on its benefits It is widely accepted that EVs are a cleaner and more sustainable mode of transport, however, some still do not see the urgency in why they should make the switch to Electric. The novel Coronavirus pandemic has helped to highlight the impact that fossil fuels have on our cities and wildlife. There are currently an estimated 4.2 million deaths a year related to air pollution, yet the message still does not get seen. If car manufacturers and local governments would highlight fossil fuel air pollution in a PSA strategy similar to cigarettes being bad for your health, this could help people make the switch faster. 2 - Making EVs more affordable With EV technology still relatively new and companies such as Tesla only starting to make a profit, it is easy to understand why the cost of an EV is typically higher. If manufacturers truly want to make the world cleaner and sustainable then they need to make a commitment. Price of EVs alienate those who cannot afford a £30,000+ price point and, even with government incentives, it does not bring the cost down enough for the average consumer. 3 - Fast Charging Solutions Battery life anxiety plagues most of us when it comes to our mobile phones and is something that the average consumer will think about when contemplating purchasing an electric car. With an average range of 181 miles, electric cars are seen by many as only suitable for short distance driving. This can be easily resolved by increased availability of charging stations, rather than having to plan a charge route for your car on a long journey. Having fast charging stations in the majority of petrol stations coupled with charging speeds close to the speed of refuelling with fossil fuels would eliminate battery life anxiety for most consumers. NIO are looking to offer a battery swap service which would see your battery pack for your NIO EV be swapped in 3 minutes, but this doesn’t appear to be as scalable or cost effective as battery charging. 4 - Wide range of options We are now seeing many manufacturers produce their own EVs, but this has a strong bias towards the SUV and Luxury Vehicle market. If consumers had a wider variety of options to choose from, like fossil fuel cars, then this can also have a massive affect on market share. 5 - Banning use of fossil fuel cars The final way to make EVs the preferred mode of transport is to ban the sale of new fossil fuel cars. Many world and localised governments have already announced plans to phase out diesel and petrol cars, however their targets are not extreme enough, if we want drastic change. Banning the sales of these cars in the next 10 years is a fast track way to switch people to EVs - but perhaps a short term strategy would be to increase tax on Diesel vehicles to the point that they are not appealing to the average consumer. Final Thoughts We are seeing positive change in how people think about the environment and how they can play their part. There are more and more new companies developing sustainable technology and pushing the established manufacturers to do the same. If we can get these 5 important changes right, it won’t be long before electric becomes the preferred mode of transport. Get in touch with us today to discuss your thoughts on the future of transport!
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6 Strategies That Will Change the Way You Do Engineering Recruitment
It is widely recognised that Engineers are one of the most looked for after experts these days, and that an organisation's recruitment technique is indispensable to pulling in the best new talent. Use Social Media The conventional method of advertising jobs and applicants submitting their CV is evolving quickly. Today, the likes of social media platforms, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram are underutilised. As a rule, utilising hashtags on every single social medium is unquestionably advantageous as they make online searches simpler and quicker, just by having a select few keywords. Keeping a modern LinkedIn profile is key to boosting credibility, whilst helping to develop your network. You can share your organisation's most recent updates which may hold importance with likely applicants, join related online conversations, or compose articles that will distinguish you as an influencer in your industry. Understand your Clients Applicable to all candidates, not just engineers. Before a Recruiter picks up the phone, they must know the client inside-out. Candidates want to know about the culture and lifestyle they will be moving to, in addition to the financial package. Today, a work-life balance is becoming increasingly attractive. If the client offers flexible working, company discounts, working remote, etc., ensure that you are aware of the benefits so that you can use them when pitching to candidates that will find this important. The best recruiters can paint a picture to a candidate, depending on what motivates the candidate and whether the job will match their aspirations. There are online and public tools that can be used to your advantage, such as the ‘Glassdoor’ website. This however can be a hinderance, as there can be a mixture of positive and negative reviews, which can come from both bias and un-bias sources. Always consider this and do your research before suggesting this method. Tap into your Engineering talent-pool for referrals Checking with your engineering network to see if any colleagues or friends working in the engineering sector are looking for a change, is one of the most effective means of recruitment, which lends itself to the use of all digital social media. Referrals have the highest conversion rate of applicant to hire, with the shortest recruitment process. Quality over quantity is another advantage of using candidate referrals – as people typically recommend someone they trust and who they think can do the job properly. Most candidates are public knowledge by advertising themselves on job boards or social media. However, some Engineers are ‘old-school’; on occasional referrals, you can unearth a gem of a candidate that would have otherwise been unfound, with no online or social media presence. (It’s sometimes not what you know, but who you know!) Candidate Empathy Understanding the engineering sector and its sub-sectors is vital to the recruitment process. Understanding the characteristics of engineers is just as important, as money is not always the only source of motivation. As aforementioned, flexible hours to achieve a better work-life balance, working from home, and career progression paths are just some of the alternatives that candidates consider when choosing their next employer. Get Involved! There are many events and expos within most engineering sectors in both the UK and internationally. Do your research to see which are best suited to your market. Is there someone going to an event that you’ve wanted to speak to but never managed to engage with them? Now is your perfect chance to have a face to face conversation. My advice is to get involved in these, go to meetings and events, support them on social media, and in return, you will constantly grow your professional network. Consider new ideas Because of the ‘skills gap’ in the engineering industry, recruiters need to think outside the box to attract top engineering talent. Try making the process a little challenging by asking them to complete a task or to solve a problem. Get in touch with one of our specialist Engineering Recruiters today to start your journey toward better Recruitment strategies!
