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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 32 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world's aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.6bn in 2025. There are no limits to where you can take your career.
Role Summary
Across GKN Aerospace, Chief Manufacturing Engineers (CME) lead the development, industrialisation and improvement of Manufacturing Systems whilst serving as the customer-facing representative of the ME function.
Day-to-day, a CME is typically focused on delivery of non-recurring engineering projects, including New Product Introductions (NPI), Transfers of Work (ToW), Major Modifications (Mods), Technology Insertions and resolving manufacturing process related quality and delivery challenges across GKN's manufacturing locations, working closely with production engineering teams.
Where appropriate, a CME leads deployed ME resources to deliver manufacturing systems in compliance with identified requirements (e.g. Produceability, Productivity, Cost, Schedule, Regulatory) and ensures adherence to Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) standards.
Remote Role
Would prefer a candiate to live near Phoenix, Wichita or Dallas.
Role Accountabilities

• Bids- Accountable to validate and approve the proposed definition of the Manufacturing System and its associated performance targets which are submitted at LG3 (Programme Launch). Working closely with the Industrial Architect, the CME reviews output for technical risks and communicates these to the Programme. This may include process flow, bill of materials, proposed industrial setting, product cost estimates, requirements compliance or technology developments needed. The CME owns the Non-Recurring Engineering cost estimate for the ME technical content delivery.
• NPI- Accountable for delivering a Manufacturing System that fulfils all agreed stakeholder requirements (technical, quality, regulatory), business case metrics and system performance targets between LG3 (Programme Launch) and LG7 (Steady State Production) whilst ensuring that planning, development and commissioning is completed on-schedule and on-cost.
• Sustaining - Accountable for the governance and oversight of a portfolio of Manufacturing Systems, delivered through regular review of system KPIs and Industrial Review assessments. Takes corrective action to ensure Manufacturing Systems continue to perform in-line with the productivity & quality targets set.
• Leadership of Projects- Accountable for delivery of the non-recurring ME activities within a given programme or project. Responsible to provide technical leadership and direction using project management fundamentals: planning & estimating, resourcing & budgeting and reporting on project performance (earned value) to internal business standards.
• Leadership of Teams - Accountable to the Programme and Site for effective utilisation of deployed manufacturing engineering resource while delivering ME content of projects by providing day-to-day coordination, recognition and accountability and implementing ME best practice with the deployed team.
• Quality - Accountable for delivery of manufacturing systems that are Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) capable through a relentless focus on delivering APQP to the AS9145 standard during the NPI phase. Must exhibit and drive a product quality mind-set within ME and ensure compliance to agreed Customer, Regulatory, Business and functional standards.
• Relationships - Accountable to maintain positive and functional working relationships with internal and external customers, to communicate and inform clearly and frequently with key stakeholders within the business, and to foster and champion GKN's 5 principles within sphere of influence.

Role Qualifications
Essential

• Technical expertise in Manufacturing Engineering, with a professional qualification (university degree) in engineering (Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical). Or in leu of a degree 8 years of experience in a manufactruing engineer role.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in Manufacturing Engineering, working with quality system models such as ISO9000 or AS9100.
• Experience developing manufacturing systems for New Product Introduction (NPI) with emphasis on industrialisation through a lifecycle gate process.
• Demonstrated leadership skills to organise and drive technical projects to achieve business goals, preferably in complex multi-site environments.
• Experience identifying and delivering industrial productivity improvements and monitoring their efficacy by setting appropriate metrics.
• Ability to lead and influence people, build trust and establish effective working relationships within a global organisation and with external customer stakeholders.
• Fluent in English language, both written and spoken.
• U.S. Persons per ITAR regulations to comply with export compliance and site

Desireable

• Proven ability to lead change in a Manufacturing System with evidence of delivering significant improvements in terms of cost, quality or throughput.
• Deep, expert knowledge and hands-on experience in one or more manufacturing process areas (e.g. machining, forming, welding, composites, assembly, metrology).
• Working knowledge of digital systems for manufacturing (PLM, MES, ERP).
• Project / Programme Management Professional Qualification.
• Experience with AS9145 APQP process or equivalent.
• Six Sigma Certification.

Travel Requirements
Prepared to travel domestically and occasionally internationally dependent on programme need and home location (25-50%). Possibility for short to medium term deployments to GKN locations or key suppliers.
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.