Manufacturing Engineering Manager - New Product Introduction - Repair Solutions

Date: May 27, 2025

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 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

Leading a multi-disciplined team focused on New Product/Process Implementation in Manufacturing, Materials & Process Engineering, the Manufacturing Engineering Manager oversees the deployment of the GKN Aerospace Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) tool suite to eliminate defects. They ensure compliance with established processes and deliver robust manufacturing process technology for materials, tooling and part fabrication in Production & Development Programs for MRO capabilities. 
Responsible for efficiency, improvements and adherence to quality standards in current production processes, the Manager deploys engineering resources and supports strategic growth by facilitating the transition of parts into production. Proactively seeking continuous improvements while adhering to FAA and quality regulations, they aim to deliver reliable manufacturing process technology.

Job Responsibilities

-    Manage NPI program’s process creation, development and implementation through standard work.   
-    Provide technical support manufacturing engineer team and assist with successful completion of NPI programs.  
-    Evaluate current manufacturing capacities and develop/improve operational procedures.
-    Engage with stakeholders to ensure timely execution of project needs as per business and customer requirements.  
-    Exemplifying a safety-first mind-set and ensuring compliance with the GKN Aerospace Health, Safety and Environmental policies and standards.
-    Develop technical solutions to complex problems. Delivery of a manufacturing system that fulfils all stakeholder requirements including; Safety, Quality, Productivity and Business Case
-    Lead engineering teams to deliver measurable, metrics driven results in line with Operational and Program goals. 
-    Build a culture of process control, Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) mind-set in the manufacturing engineering team. 
-    Responsible for the implementation of tooling and or production planning, from original concept through to production. Design these processes with a high degree of process capability utilizing the GKN standard ZDM tool suite to demonstrate as such.
-    Lead capability & career development of the engineering team.
-    Develop, deploy and maintain functional engineering & quality standards.
-    Support the Quality Assurance team.
-    Maintain positive, team relationships with internal and external customers, as well as co-workers
-    Continuously improve production processes by implementing Lean initiatives.
-    Actively support the flow of production across various areas

Job Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
-    Bachelor Degree in Engineering, or 10+ years of ME experience in lieu of a degree
-    8+ years of manufacturing engineering experience within an industrial manufacturing environment, preferably a manufacturing aerospace environment.
-    3+ years of experience of leadership experience in a Manufacturing Engineering team
-    Must be a US Citizen or Green Card Holder due to program security clearance requirements and/or SSA requirements.
-    Ability to follow, support, and improve our current systems, operating and standard process procedures.
-    Ability to influence people, lead, build trust and establish effective working relationships 
 
Preferred Qualifications:
-    GKN experience
-    Expected to be familiar with material processes and the use of tool design, fixtures and gauges. 
-    Six Sigma Green Belt or willingness to get certified in first year
-    Ability to actively support internal and external audits in accordance with the Quality Assurance Team
-    Working knowledge of LEAN processes and practices. 
-    Ability to lead Continuous Improvement projects across the entire facility.
-    Working knowledge of quality system models such as ISO9000, AS9100, or D1-9000
-    Project / Program Management
-    Familiarity with AS9145 APQP process or equivalent

Compensation Range

The compensation range is between $115,931 - $144,914.

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