Fitters & Fabricators
Date: Sep 21, 2026
Location: Bristol, GB
Company: GKN Aerospace Careers
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.
Job Summary
Put your skills into work you can be proud of!
At GKN Aerospace, what we make here goes much further.
At our Filton site, we manufacture complex structural wing assemblies, metallic components and wing systems for civil and military aircraft.
Here, you’ll put your skills into work you can be proud of, taking on big challenges alongside experienced people and seeing the impact of what you make travel around the world. It’s work that tests your skills, builds your experience and gives you a real sense of achievement.
How You'll Contribute
Fitters
You’ll use a range of hand and machine tools to carry out work including:
• Precision riveting
• Drilling, reaming and countersinking
• Setting structures in build jigs
• Deburring and fettling
• Treatment touch-ups on aluminium
• Using CNC pillar drills
• Part marking and identification
Fabricators
You’ll work with materials including titanium, aluminium and stainless steel, carrying out work including:
• Pipe bending
• Swaging
• Drilling, reaming and countersinking
• Operating relevant fabrication machinery
Whichever role you join us in, you’ll take pride in producing high-quality work right first time, while working safely and supporting your team.
What You'll Bring
You'll need a recognised Level 3 apprenticeship and NVQ, or equivalent, in a relevant fitting or fabrication field, along with:
• An understanding of Export Control and regulatory requirements
• The ability to work to standard operating procedures
• Good communication and teamwork skills
• A self-motivated approach
Previous aircraft manufacturing experience and knowledge of lean manufacturing would be an advantage. For Fabricators, experience operating CNC machinery is also desirable.
Worked with us before?
Coming back is easier than you might think. If you previously worked at GKN Aerospace as a Fitter or Fabricator, there’s no interview, just a check of your qualification stamps. You could even be back with the team as soon as next week.
With temporary, permanent, full-time and part-time opportunities available, there are plenty of ways to fit back in.
What We'll Offer
Starting salary is £36,717, rising to £38,220 once fully certified, typically after around three months. Depending on your working pattern, you could also receive up to 33% shift allowance and up to a 4% bonus.
You'll also benefit from:
• Pension contributions of up to 20% in total
• Life assurance at 8× salary
• 205.5 hours annual leave plus bank holidays
• Income protection
• Relocation support where applicable
• Shopping discounts and Cycle to Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Virtual GP for you and your immediate family
• Learning, development and global career opportunities
• New onsite gym
• New electric vehicle scheme
• New Save As You Earn share scheme
Ready for your next challenge?
Bring your skills to GKN Aerospace and see what you can achieve.
As well as a competitive package we’ll offer you a world of opportunity. We want to see your career fly! We’ll support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities. That’s the beauty of being part of a global business, once you’re on board you never know where you career journey may take you!
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.
