Senior Manufacturing Engineer - CAM
Date: May 8, 2026
Location: East Cowes, 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 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn.in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.
Job Summary
Based in our thriving facilities in East Cowes, and reporting into the Functional Head of CAM, the Senior Manufacturing Engineer (CAM) will provide technical expertise at a local project level for operational and development Programs to enable and deliver zero defect projects utilising engineering and problem-solving skills. Accountable for delivering robust, capable manufacturing process technology as it applies to materials, tooling, part fabrication and assembly.
They will generate CAM programmes for most machines across both our sites, and take ownership for the CAM function at GKN Cowes.
*** Relocation assistance available for candidates intersted in relocating from the mainland ***
Job Responsibilities
- Provide local project technical oversight for the development of NC Programming solutions to complex problems
- Implement the global process to create NC Programs, from original concept through to production.
- Develop NC Programming solutions for high degree of process capability, utilising the GKN standard Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) tool suite to demonstrate as such.
- Own the CAM Cowes BMS system and ensure documents reflect process used. Periodic review of BMS and update if needed.
- Exemplify a safety-first mind-set and ensuring compliance with the GKN Aerospace Health, Safety and Environmental policies and standards.
- Technical expertise at a local project level in governance and deployment of manufacturing development and integration for production within GKN Aerospace.
- Provide technical expertise to rapidly solve issues pertaining to vendor schedule and/or quality.
- Support the implementation of breakthrough Technologies in line with the Cowes Strategy including large scale 5 Axis & NDT machines as well as Automated processes such as Automated Fibre Placement / Automated Tape Laying.
- Break down technical problems, risk, opportunities, in the correct order to create products and add value to GKN Aerospace through creating Zero Defects.
- Lead positive team relationships with internal and external customers, as well as co-workers.
- Continuous improvement of production processes by implementing Lean initiatives.
Job Qualifications
ESSENTIAL
- Technical expertise in Manufacturing Engineering, ideally with a professional qualification/background (HNC/HND) in Engineering (Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical).
- Fully competent in own field with specialist knowledge of CAM.
- Able to collaborate effectively with other departments.
- Solid, demonstrable experience in use of CAM programming software. (CATIA preferred, but cross-training can be provided for the right candidate)
- Advanced experience of continuous improvement and lean management.
- Good interpersonal team working skills with the ability to influence stakeholders and coach/mentor others.
DESIRABLE
- Knowledge and experience in Automated Composite Processes such as AFP/ ATL, Automated preforming, in-process inspection, tool handling etc.
- Experience in the use of robotic programming methods such as Online (teach pendant) and/ or Offline Programming (OLP)
- Knowledge of processing methods and products of GKN would be advantageous.
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.
