• Job Description

  Req#: 17839

  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

  “Together We Rise”

  The Chief Manufacturing Engineer will be based at our East Cowes facilities on the Isle of Wight; this is a newly created position for our New Defence Aerostructures Development programme. The UK MOD aims to remain at the leading edge of Combat Air Systems development to protect its people, project influence and promote prosperity and their Combat Air Strategy defines how the RAF seeks to create operational advantage to enable the UK to achieve its military and strategic objectives. In 2018, UK Defence Industries put in place an ambitious programme to develop next generation air combat technology as part of the UK’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS) that will includes a 6th generation crewed platform (Project Tempest) complemented by un-crewed platforms and other effectors. GKN is already a key partner in Project Tempest and now intends to expand its position in the FCAS “family of systems” by developing aerostructure products for un-crewed Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACPs) with the aim to deliver increased multi-role combat capability in an accelerated timeframe, with high production rate capability, whilst also meeting stringent affordability challenges. GKN will be responsible for designing, manufacturing and assembling key components as part of an accelerated technology development programme that will include a number of flying demonstrators.

  As part of the Programme Core Team (PM, CE, CME, Procurement/SC, Finance), the Chief Manufacturing Engineer manages the Overall Manufacturing Engineering Activities within a Programme to meet overall Programme and Business Objectives. The Chief Manufacturing Engineer reports hierarchically and functionally to the Head of Chief Manufacturing Engineering and operationally to the Programme Manager(s). You’ll be responsible for a ME team and the project will operate from GKN facilities in Bristol and the Isle of Wight. There is the requirement to be flexible with frequent travel (within in the UK) when required to our site in Bristol and customers visits. We offer hybrid working the opportunity to work from home up to two days per week dependent on the needs of the business.
  

  Job Responsibilities

  • Managing Development Activities in the (pre-)Conceptual Phase and Full-scale Development Phase of the Program to achieve world class Technical Solutions meeting product objectives
  • Act as primary Focal Point with the External Customer for (major) Technical Issues
  • Implementation and Execution of Cost & Schedule Control i.e., NRC Planning, Tracking/Control and Reporting.
  • Responsible for Planning, Development, Commissioning of Manufacturing System for New Product Introductions [LG3->LG7]. Working with the Design Chief Engineers (for Design and Build contracts) and Industrial Architects they are accountable for delivering a manufacturing system that fulfils all stakeholder requirements (Safety, Logistics, Quality, Produceability & Business case metrics), including development and maturity of Manufacturing processes and documentation.
  • Support Program Management in the execution of program Risk Management by identifying (technical) risks and determining associated Mitigation Actions
  • Provides technical input to the internal Change Control Process to support the PM in the Customer Change Control Board Process
  • Responsible for Oversight of the portfolio of Manufacturing Systems through regular review of system KPIs and Lifecycle (Industrial review) Gate assessments and their evolution (as required) to ensure productivity & quality targets are continually evolving. This includes Identification of new technologies and their development & exploitation, and benchmarking of processes across the GKN portfolio of products
  • Accountable to the Program Manager/Director for delivering ME content of tasks through direct Operational Management and Leadership of deployed manufacturing engineering team
  • Supporting as a primary interface to Engineering Design Reviews (a.o. PDR and CDR) as defined in the Life Cycle Management Process Standard and as required by the Customer, including adequate Follow-up
  • Responsible for Product quality within the NPI ME function. Expected to drive a quality mind-set within the deployed engineering team and ensure compliance to agreed Customer, Regulatory, Business and functional standards including AS9145 (ZDM).
  • Contributing to establishing Knowledge and Experience (Knowledge Management, Tool and Process Enhancements and Lessons Learned) for the Manufacturing Engineering Function
  • Acting as Link to other Internal Departments as Operations and Procurement to provide General Support and to achieve Specific Agreements on Manufacturing Philosophy, Supplier Quotations, etc.
  • Provide operational Support for Construction and Installation of Prototype and Pre-Production Products, both internally and at the Customer (or Supplier).
    

  How You'll Contribute

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

  Essential

  • Bachelor or Master Degree in Aerospace Engineering or equivalent working and thinking Level gained through experience
  • High level of engineering functional knowledge across multiple disciplines in order to successfully manage/guide the project/programme technical team.
  • Experience of managing Manufacturing Systems and their industrialisation
  • Management of complex Projects; ability to rationalise, assess and evaluate information that may not always be clear or mature.
  • Ability to clearly present data, reports and presentations to facilitate the decision making process at all levels of the business
  • Fluent in English language, both written and spoke

  Desirable

  • Completed Project Management Training / Courses.
  • Having worked in multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary teams in an international setting.
  • Familiarity with AS9145 APQP process or equivalent
  • Familiarity with appropriate digital systems for manufacturing systems

  
  We are looking for people who want to make a difference, talented members with the skills and passions to become the best of the future in what they do. The Chief Manufacturing Engineer will have advance problem solving skills in both technical and programme management disciplines and experience in dealing with related functions (Operations/Production, Sales/Customer Relationship Management, Supplier Management and Development). The successful person will be strong minded, convincing and committed, focused on delivery, must be able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.

  The 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
  • £5,500 car allowance per annum
  • Opportunity to earn up to 22.5% bonus
  • Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis
  • Life Assurance 8 x salary
  • 25 days holiday + bank holidays
  • Hybrid working – giving you the opportunity to balance home and office working
  • Income protection
  • Shopping discounts
  • Cycle To Work Scheme
  • Employee Assistance Programme
  • Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family
  • A collaborative, dynamic working environment

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

  #LI-ONSITE

  #LI-CH1

  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.
  

  #LI-HYBRID

• About the company

  GKN Aerospace is a global engineering group that make essential components for industries that touch lives across the globe

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