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 15,000 employees across 41 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

It’s great to know you’re making a difference to the future of aviation! Whatever part you play you’ll be helping us deliver operational excellence to our customers. Sitting across our three business lines; Civil, Defence and Engines at our East Cowes manufacturing plants you’ll do just that. Established in 1901, one of our older production sites with a workforce of circa 800 employees. Our East Cowes plants, Isle of Wight are where we design, manufacture, test and repair high performance structures and systems. We have two facilities on the Island; Falcon Yard, Ferry Road and Osborne Site, Saunders Way. Both locations employ the company’s distinct competencies in major assemblies and composite structures for the global aerospace market. Our customer base includes Airbus, Astronics, BAE Systems, Boeing, Bombardier Aerospace, Cessna, Cobham, Honeywell, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin, Rolls Royce and Triumph.

Due to an exciting period of growth, we are now seeking experienced Manufacturing Engineers, specialising in Product and Planning, to join our thriving team on the Isle of Wight.

Based at our East Cowes site and reporting into the Manufacturing Engineer Manager, the Manufacturing Engineer will be working across both our Civil and Defence Business lines. As a Manufacturing Engineer you will provide engineering proficiency to operational and development programmes to enable and deliver zero defect projects, utilising engineering and problem-solving skills. You will be accountable for delivering robust, proficient manufacturing process technology as it applies to materials, tooling, part fabrication and assembly.

The successful incumbent will need to be flexible for limited ad-hoc travel, nationally and internationally, and will be joining at our Engineering department of between 6-10 Manufacturer Engineers. 

For these opportunities we will provide relocation support, within the UK, to the Isle of Wight, for successful applicants. 

Job Responsibilities

• Exemplifying a safety-first mind-set and ensuring compliance with the GKN Aerospace Health, Safety and Environmental policies and standards.
• Responsible for the development of manufacturing process solutions to complex problems through.
• Accountable for the implementation of production planning, from original concept through to production, designing these processes to a high level of process capability through utilizing the GKN standard Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) tool suite.
• Accountable for product development, first article development, configuration changes, build process definition and implementation.
• The development of technical solutions to complex problems within GKN Aerospace, our customers and suppliers.
• Delivering technical support of manufacturing process development and integration for production. 
• Utilizing root cause analysis, preventative and corrective action to reduce/eliminate non-conformances.
• Maintaining positive team relationships with internal and external customers, as well as co-workers.
• Continuously improving production processes by implementing Lean initiatives.
• Awareness and application of APQP tools (set of tools used for problem solving). 

How You'll Contribute

To help us make a difference, you’ll bring your passion and expertise/ talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:

Essential:

• An HNC qualification (or equivalent) within an Engineering related subject or above
• Demonstrable previous experience in a Manufacturing Engineering role, gained within a composites-based manufacturing environment 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office

Desirable:

• Working knowledge of quality system models such as ISO9000, AS9100, or D1-9000
• Background in Aerospace industry 
• Experience of Project / Program Management 
• Familiarity with AS9145 APQP process or equivalent
• Understanding and use of an ERP system
• Green Belt Certified

This position requires UK National Security Vetting (UKNSV) Security clearance (SC) due to the nature and responsibilities of the work carried out. In order for us to obtain an SC you usually need to have been resident in the UK for a minimum of 5 years to current date (but we do assess each case individually).

What We'll Offer

Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:
• Competitive salary dependent on experience 
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis
• Life Assurance 8 x salary
• 190 hours holiday + bank holidays
• Income protection
• Shopping discounts
• Cycle To Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• UK Relocation support available (if applicable)
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment 

Join us and keep the world moving … click on the link below to apply

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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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