Manufacturing Engineer - Materials & Process
Date: Aug 14, 2026
Location: El Cajon, CA, US
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
The Manufacturing Engineer I responsible for ensuring that development efforts are carried out in a timely manner and escalating any roadblocks as soon as they may arise to keep projects on track as much as possible. This individual will be responsible for the tracking and initiating engineering tasks associated with qualification testing and substantiation. This individual will play a critical role in initiating, following and reporting the results of such tasks.
Job Responsibilities
- Initiate, organize, and track substantiation test blades for EB weld, TIG weld, Cleanline, and Thermal Spray processes
- Own thermal spray powder development efforts to find and industrialize new and legacy powder spray parameters in both ARBU buildings
- Collate and report powder development progress and setbacks.
- Collate laboratory test results for timely assessment and repeat attempts based on feedback from the thermal spray engineers.
- Keep and maintain well organized notes and tracking documents for consistent and up to date review by the leadership team.
- Keep up with daily management of tasks for immediate reporting of help needed and developing risks
- Aid the process engineers in creating and submitting qualification packets using the results from development efforts
- Assist other members of the engineering team to write and review operation sheets and data cards.
- In some cases, as needed, assist with and oversee development tests, ensuring accuracy and compliance with OEM publications.
- Develop and grow knowledge and expertise in the areas of plasma spray and HVOF processes
- Work closely with existing thermal spray engineering and shop floor personnel to support production and development needs
- Perform other tasks and duties as assigned by engineering management
Job Qualifications
Experience & Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field (required)
- 2-5+ experience within aerospace or highly regulated industries
- Experience with industry and OEM documentation and test plans
- A well-organized individual with a high sense of ownership and urgency
- A strong commitment and detailed eye for quality and accuracy
Preferred Qualifications:
- Strong analytical and root cause problem-solving skills
- Excellent technical reporting and documentation abilities
- Leadership skills in a cross functional environment
- Strong communication skills with cross-functional teams and external representatives
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.
Nearest Major Market: San Diego