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.

New vacancy: Manager Product Assurance Engineering

We are looking for a Manager Product Assurance Engineering to strengthen, lead and mentor our Product Assurance Engineering team based in Papendrecht. 

As a Manager Product Assurance Engineering, you are a member of our Fokker Landing Gear division. Your role as a Certifying entity is to deploy and lead the product assurance team, and the associated quality activities aligned with the strategic direction of the organization. This is a vital position for the continuous development of both the quality processes and the Product Assurance Team’s competencies. The role will be the focal point for quality related continuous improvement working across multi-functional teams to drive results and objectives aligned to the strategic direction of the Fokker Landing Gear and GKN Aerospace’s business. 

Fokker Landing Gear

Landing Gear, part of GKN Fokker Aerospace, is a recognized specialist in landing gear and related systems. We focus on the design and development, production and assembly of complete landing gears, as well as the repair and reassembly of systems already in use. In doing so, we work on the most famous aircraft and helicopters; think of the Apache combat helicopter, the F-35 Lightning II (JSF), the Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 and the multipurpose NH90 maritime combat helicopter.

What you'll do

Lead the development and deployment of advanced quality planning activities within GKNAF, including: Setting up/maintaining customer quality requirements into Q plan/contract/compliance matrix, Supporting the evaluation, co-ordination and monitoring of achieved levels of conformity, Deployment of APQP tools and techniques. Provide support, advice and guidance to other team members with Quality tools, lean tools and techniques, enabling them to independently ensure that Quality requirements are met.  Ensure that Quality staff is deployed and developed to attain the necessary knowledge.  Ensure compliance to process and procedures to support an efficient business. Promote an effective a desirable quality culture. Lead the production part approval, through First Article Inspection.  Assure the adherence to the Quality system within the business by the business.  Assure that certification processes are consistently defined and applied within the business. Facilitate the use of 8 Disciplines (8D) within the business area.  Perform initial investigations to assess probable cause, informing the accountable function and ensuring corrective and preventative action has been taken.  Provide support to customers/authorities as necessary. Provide product quality performance indicators. Establish problem definition, root cause analysis, customer protection and corrective and preventative action.  Lead investigations into customer reported quality problems. Where necessary, interface with the Procurement function on quality issues in the supply chain. Guide and advise the business, ensuring the appropriate use of quality tools and techniques. Act as a guide and point of contact for customer, supplier and airline quality representatives as necessary.

What you'll bring

A completed technical/engineering degree, or ability to demonstrate knowledge to the equivalent depth and have a technical apprenticeship in an engineering environment.  Solid collaborative leadership capability in a manufacturing environment.  Experience in coaching, mentoring and advising individuals and teams on product quality matters. Experience of QMS management in Aerospace as well as of Aerospace requirements. Self-starter and able to work on own initiative. Hands-on and solution oriented.  Deep practical knowledge of proactive quality tools such as those within APQP/PPAP. Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical data. In-depth experience of problem solving using appropriate quality tools and techniques.  Effective communication skills for liaising with a wide range of people and departments both internal and external to GKNAF at all levels.  flexibility to work as a committed team player in a fast-paced customer focused environment. Demonstrated practical knowledge of SPC and deployment of quality tools and techniques. Strong Project Management skills would be an asset.  Fluency in English, both in writing & speaking; fluency in Dutch would be preferred. 

What we'll offer

Our organization demonstrates passion for innovation and our employees are rightly proud for what we engineer and build. This is a truly challenging work environment: a role where you contribute as an individual but also as a member of a diverse and international team of experts. At GKN Aerospace, we not only provide you with the tools to perform at the best of your capabilities, but we also support and promote your technical and personal development.

Furthermore, we offer to you:

A gross monthly salary up to € 6.998,- based on the CLA Metalektro and in line with your experience and qualifications, 8% holiday allowance, 42 paid holidays for full-time employment, Working conditions according to the CAO Metalektro, including an excellent pension scheme (PME) and travel allowance, Profit sharing scheme, A pleasant and informal working environment, in which we work together to achieve the best result for our customers in a pleasant atmosphere.

Next to a competitive 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. 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!

Extra information

Our selection process includes a screening call with our Talent Acquisition Specialist and 1-2 online/F2F interviews with the hiring manager and the team members. We are 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. 

Part of the selection procedure is carrying out the necessary checks and screenings in order to meet the requirements set by GKN Fokker's customers, partners and suppliers within the program. The checks and screenings will be assessed on the basis of frameworks set by our Export Compliance & Security department. Every employee within GKN Fokker must ultimately be authorized to give substance to his or her position. Assessment of checks and screenings can lead to the fact that no content can be given to the position and therefore no employment or deployment can follow. The onboarding time at GKN Fokker Aerospace usually takes +/- 3 weeks.

Be part of our journey!

*Due to privacy regulations we only accept applications via the website. You can apply directly via the button.

#LI-MM1

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. ​
​