Non-Conformance Engineer-Design (NCE-D)

Job Summary

The Non-Conformance Engineer – Design (NCE-D) provides technical leadership in the evaluation, disposition, and approval of non-conformances arising from manufacturing processes, supplier activities, and in-service (field) operations for aero engine components. 
This role is accountable for ensuring airworthiness, product integrity, and full compliance with regulatory standards and customer requirements. It requires the application of sound engineering judgment, adherence to design intent, and active engagement with design authorities. 
The NCE-D collaborates across cross-functional teams—including design, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and field service—to drive timely and technically robust resolutions to non conformance issues.

Job Responsibilities

• Technical Evaluation of Non-Conformances 
  • Lead evaluation of complex non-conformances in cold and hot section aero engine 
  components where GKN has design responsibilities   
  • Perform deep technical assessments: 
  o GD&T interpretation (ASME Y14.5) 
  o Tolerance stack-up analysis interpretation 
  o Stress and aero-thermal analysis interpretation  
  o Functional fit, form, and clearance assessment 
  • Evaluate impact against: 
  o Design intent and margins 
  o Material allowable 
  o Certification limits 
  • Conduct risk and safety assessments to determine airworthiness impact 
   
  Design Disposition & Approval Ownership 
  • Define and approve disposition types: 
  o Use-as-is, repair, rework, scrap 
  • Provide technical rationale, safety justification, and compliance evidence 
  • Make decisions under uncertainty while ensuring safety and compliance 
   
  MRB (Material Review Board) Leadership 
  • Act as senior technical representative in MRB forums 
  • Present engineering assessments and negotiate dispositions 
  • Ensure consistent, robust, and timely decision-making 
  • Drive closure of high-impact non-conformances (such as build stop and AOG’s) 
   
  Repair & Rework Strategy Development  
• Develop and approve:  
  o Repair schemes 
  o Manufacturing deviations and concessions 
  o Rework processes 
  • Ensure alignment with:  
  o Design intent 
  o Structural integrity and durability 
  o Certification constraints 
  • Validate via analysis, testing, or field data correlation 
   
  Supplier & Manufacturing Support 
  • Serve as technical escalation point for supplier non-conformances 
  • Lead on-site/remote supplier reviews 
  • Evaluate: 
  o Process capability (Cp/Cpk) 
  o Manufacturing variation impact 
  • Drive supplier quality improvement and process maturity 
  Compliance & Certification Accountability 
  • Ensure compliance with: 
  o FAA / EASA regulations  
  o AS9100 and OEM standards 
  • Maintain configuration control and traceability 
  • Support audits, certification reviews, and customer interactions 
   
  Data-Driven Improvement & RCA 
  • Perform trend analysis of recurring non-conformances 
  • Lead Root Cause & Corrective Action (RCCA) using: 
  o 8D, DMAIC, A3, FMEA 
  • Identify and eliminate systemic issues 
  • Drive predictive quality and escape prevention 
   
  Field & Lifecycle Integration 
  • Incorporate field return and service data into decisions 
  • Align dispositions with: 
  o Fleet performance 
  o Durability expectations 
  • Support continuous airworthiness and fleet issue resolution such as AoG (Aircraft on 
  Ground) 
   
  Cross-Functional Collaboration 
  • Work closely with: 
  o Design Engineers  
  o Definition Engineers 
  o Stress / Solid Mechanics  

o Aero & Thermal teams 
o Materials Engineering 
o Manufacturing & Quality 
o Suppliers & Repair Engineering 
• Drive aligned, technically sound solutions 
Mentorship & Capability Development 
• Mentor junior engineers in: 
o GD&T and tolerance analysis 
o Structural and thermal evaluations 
o Engineering judgment 
• Conduct technical reviews from non-conformances perspective 
• Promote engineering rigor and quality culture

Job Qualifications

General: 
 Must possess a high level of engineering functional knowledge and experience across 
multiple disciplines to successfully manage/guide the project/programme technical team. 
 Must possess the highest level of technical project leadership as the role is accountable for 
the competing parameters of technical quality (Safety/Airworthiness) as well as project 
schedule. 
 Must possess the highest level of problem-solving skills in both technical and programme 
management disciplines to successfully manage the technical direction of the project and 
support the overall business objectives of the programme. 
 The role requires the highest level of interpersonal skills – see below for details of skills and 
personal attributes required. 
Essential: 
 Bachelor or Master Degree in (Aerospace) Engineering or equivalent working and thinking 
Level gained through experience. 
 At least 15+ years of relevant experience gained within an engineering discipline, ideally 
within an aerospace environment and in multi-disciplinary engineering project teams (Design, 
Aerodynamics, Aerothermal, Solid mechanics, all type of Analysis, Manufacturing & 
Industrialization). 
 At least 5+ years of stand-alone experience in handling non-conformances ranging from 
recurrent to field issues of aero engine static structures 
 Experience with managing (complex) engineering projects or led teams (delivery through 
people without direct hierarchical authority).  
 Previously held (internal) technical approval authority (i.e. is recognized as having appropriate 
technical seniority for Design or Analysis). 
 Experience in dealing with related functions (Operations/Production, Sales/Customer 
Relationship Management, Supplier Management and Development). 
 Project management, planning and organising skills based on recognised project management 
methods. 
 Solid approach/understanding to the delivery and tracking of engineering tasks. 
 Able to define challenging objectives and achieve them. 
 Relationship building at Levels up to and including senior management level.  Able to work with cross-functional Teams that will typically include (in addition to the Design 
Engineering Team) Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Commercial. Procurement, 
Quality and Suppliers. 
 Has excellent judgement in considering when escalation is appropriate. 
 Strong minded, convincing and committed, focussed on delivery, must be able to work under 
pressure and to tight deadlines. 
 Ability to clearly present data, reports and presentations to facilitate the decision-making 
process at all levels of the business.  
Desirable: 
 Having worked in multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary teams in an international setting. 
 System level knowledge  
 Experience with developing and coaching people. 
 Ability to mentor and coach Engineers in the Delivery of their specific Task and supporting 
their professional Growth.