[Hiring] Chief Manufacturing Engineer @GKN Aerospace

Role Description

As part of GKN Aerospace Airframes E&T, Chief Manufacturing Engineers (CME) lead the development, industrialisation and improvement of Manufacturing Systems whilst serving as the customer-facing representatives of the ME function.

• Focus on delivery of non-recurring engineering projects including:
  • New Product Introductions (NPI)
  • Transfers of Work (ToW)
  • Major Modifications (Mods)
  • Technology Insertions
  • Resolving manufacturing process related quality and delivery challenges
• Lead deployed ME resources to deliver projects when necessary.
• Ensure compliance with identified requirements (e.g. Produceability, Productivity, Cost, Schedule, Regulatory) and adherence to Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) standards.

Travel Requirements

• This is a remote working position that requires frequent routine and occasional non-routine travel (up to 25-50%) to be on-site at GKN facilities and suppliers.
• Locations include:
  • Phoenix (AZ)
  • Wichita (KS)
  • Sumner (WA)
  • Chihuahua (Mexico)
  • Tallassee (AL)
• Candidates must live in a location with strong transport links (1-2 hours drive from a major international hub airport or locally to a regional airport).

Role Accountabilities

• Bids:
  • Validate and approve the proposed definition of the Manufacturing System and its associated performance targets submitted at LG3 (Programme Launch).
  • Review output for technical risks and communicate these to the Programme.
  • Own the Non-Recurring Engineering cost estimate for the ME technical content delivery.
• NPI:
  • Deliver a Manufacturing System that fulfills all agreed stakeholder requirements (technical, quality, regulatory), business case metrics, and system performance targets between LG3 (Programme Launch) and LG7 (Steady State Production).
  • Ensure planning, development, and commissioning is completed on-schedule and on-cost.
• Sustaining:
  • Govern and oversee a portfolio of Manufacturing Systems through regular review of system KPIs and Industrial Review assessments.
  • Take corrective action to ensure Manufacturing Systems continue to perform in-line with productivity & quality targets.
• Leadership of Projects:
  • Deliver non-recurring ME activities within a given programme or project.
  • Provide technical leadership and direction using project management fundamentals.
• Leadership of Teams:
  • Ensure effective utilisation of deployed manufacturing engineering resource while delivering ME content of projects.
  • Provide day-to-day coordination, recognition, and accountability.
• Quality:
  • Deliver manufacturing systems that are Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) capable.
  • Drive a product quality mind-set within ME and ensure compliance to agreed standards.
• Relationships:
  • Maintain positive and functional working relationships with internal and external customers.
  • Communicate clearly and frequently with key stakeholders.
  • Foster and champion GKN’s 5 principles within sphere of influence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional qualification in Engineering (Aerospace, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Materials, Electrical, Chemical, or related discipline).
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing or similar, highly regulated environments operating under AS9100 Quality Management Systems.
• Recent experience developing a manufacturing system for a New Product Introduction (NPI) with a comprehensive understanding of product lifecycle gate processes.
• Broad, hands-on experience with common manufacturing processes (e.g. machining, forming, welding, composites, assembly, metrology).
• Knowledgeable of structured problem solving and RCCA methodologies (e.g. 8D) and how to apply these to complex problems.
• Demonstrated capability to organise and drive technical projects to achieve business goals, preferably in complex multi-site environments.
• 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.
• US Person for Export Control purposes.

Preferred

• Demonstrated deployment of AS9145 APQP process.
• Working knowledge of digital systems for manufacturing (PLM, MES, ERP).
• Deep, expert knowledge in one or more manufacturing process areas (e.g. machining, forming, welding, composites, assembly, metrology).
• Experience working with or for major aerospace OEMs and their systems.
• Proven ability to lead change in a Manufacturing System with evidence of delivering significant improvements in terms of cost, quality or throughput.
• Proven ability to identify and deliver industrial productivity improvements and monitor their efficacy by setting appropriate metrics.
• Project / Programme Management Professional Qualification.
• Six Sigma Certification.

Salary Range

$120-160k

Benefits

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?

Company Description

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.