Principal Manufacturing Engineer - Product & Planning

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

The Principle Manufacturing Engineer will support development and operational Programs to enable and deliver zero defect projects utilizing superior engineering and problem solving skills. They will deliver robust, capable manufacturing process technology as it applies to both materials, tooling, part fabrication and assembly. This position is a pivotal role in driving innovation, optimizing processes, and ensuring the highest standards of quality and efficiency within our aerospace composites facility.

Job Responsibilities

• Process Optimization: Lead the development and optimization of manufacturing processes for aerospace composite components, with a focus on enhancing efficiency, reducing waste, and improving overall product quality.
• Advanced Manufacturing Techniques: Implement advanced manufacturing techniques and methodologies to streamline production processes, such as automation, robotics, and additive manufacturing.
• Material Selection and Characterization: Collaborate with materials engineering teams to select appropriate composite materials for specific applications, and conduct material characterization studies to ensure performance and reliability.
• Interface with Tooling Design and Development: Design and develop tooling and fixtures for composite manufacturing processes, utilizing CAD/CAM software and advanced manufacturing techniques to ensure precision and repeatability.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Interface and liaison with multiple functional groups including Supply Chain, Quality and Production Operations to develop strategies for implementation of released engineering
• Quality Assurance and Control: Establish and maintain rigorous quality assurance and control procedures to ensure compliance with aerospace industry standards and regulations, including AS9100, AS13100, and NADCAP requirements. Utilize root cause analysis, preventative and corrective action to reduce/eliminate non-conformances.
• Risk Management: Identify potential risks and challenges in manufacturing processes, and develop proactive mitigation strategies to minimize disruptions and ensure on-time delivery of high-quality aerospace composite components.
• Technical Leadership: Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers and technicians within the manufacturing team, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environmentAccountable for product development, new product quotes, tool fabrication quotes, first article development, configuration changes that involve cost estimation, schedule coordination, build process definition, and implementation
• Performs other duties, tasks and responsibilities as assigned
  
  

Job Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Attended Bachelors' program in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• Minimum of 8-10 years of relevant experience in manufacturing engineering
• 5 years of experience with aerospace composites.
• 2 years of manufacturing leadership experience
• 2 years of Project Management experience
• U.S. Person per ITAR regulations to comply with export compliance
  
  

Additional Qualifications

• Strong understanding of quality management systems and aerospace industry standards (e.g., AS9100, AS13100, & NADCAP).
• Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams and driving process optimization initiatives within a manufacturing environment.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Aerostructures (metallics and/or composites) experience preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities, with a passion for mentoring and developing junior engineering talent
• Relentless and results driven performer with a Continuous Improvement mind-set.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Six Sigma Training or Lean Manufacturing experience a plus
• Superior interpersonal skills, delivers information clearly and factually. Capable of adjusting to situation or audience.
• Team worker with aptitude for mentoring and coaching.
• Demonstrates personal leadership skills; high performance behaviors, self-initiative, excellent work ethic, exercises good judgment, influencing, negotiation and collaboration.
  
  

Expect up to 10% travel in this role depending upon location and business needs

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.