Chief Manufacturing Engineer

Job Summary

GKN Aerospace in Luton is a world leader in commercial and military ice protection systems and transparencies. Offering a full range of capabilities comprising design, analysis, testing, certification and manufacture of electro-thermal ice protection, military fast jet canopies and flight deck windows to over 20 programmes including: Boeing 787, Dreamliner, Airbus A320, AgustaWestland, AW101, Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed, Martin F-22 Raptor. Our customers include Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Bell Helicopters, Textron, BAE Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Leonardo. 

As Chief Manufacturing Engineer you will be responsible for leading the Planning, Development, Commissioning and Industrialisation of Manufacturing Systems within GKN’s Civil business. This applies to, but not limited to; New Product Introductions (NPI), Work Transfers, Technology Insertions and addressing Critical Quality issues. The CME directly manages and leads the deployed Manufacturing Engineering (ME) team, to deliver manufacturing systems in compliance with its identified requirements (Produceability, Productivity, Cost, Schedule, Regulatory/Customer/HSE requirements) and adherence to Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) standards.

This position will see your time split across both the Airbus A320 and Boeing 787 programmes, with the primary objective to drive down the cost of poor quality and reduction in overall waste. We are seeking someone self-motivated, with the ability to identify and apply lean method improvements to the ME process for transparencies and ice protection systems for these programmes. 

During the first 3-4 months you will be based fully on-site in Luton, after which you can take advantage of our hybrid working policy depending on business requirements. This role may have direct and indirect reports depending on the deployment and involves reasonable travel a couple times a year nationally, ad-hoc travel to Europe and United States of America.

Job Responsibilities

• New Product Introductions (NPI) - Responsible for Planning, Development, Commissioning of Manufacturing System for New Product Introductions [LG3->LG7]. Working with the Design Chief Engineers (for Design and Build contracts) and Industrial Architects they are accountable for delivering a manufacturing system that fulfils all stakeholder requirements (Safety, Logistics, Quality, Produceability & Business case metrics), including development and maturity of Manufacturing processes and documentation.
• Sustaining - Responsible for Oversight of the portfolio of Manufacturing Systems through regular review of system KPIs and Lifecycle (Industrial review) Gate assessments and their evolution (as required) to ensure productivity & quality targets are continually evolving. This includes Identification of new technologies and their development & exploitation, and benchmarking of processes across the GKN portfolio of products.
• Leadership of Projects- Responsible for technical leadership of ME activities including Program Management, Planning, Resource provisioning, budgeting, & Project EV reporting within functional and Enterprise standards.
• Leadership of Teams – Accountable to the Program Manager/Director for delivering ME content of tasks through direct Operational Management and Leadership of deployed manufacturing engineering team.
• Quality – Responsible for Product quality within the NPI ME function. Expected to drive a quality mind-set within the deployed engineering team and ensure compliance to agreed Customer, Regulatory, Business and functional standards including AS9145 (ZDM).
• Bids – Working closely with the Programme team and Industrial Architects, be responsible for the technical ME content of bid work including Technical risk management, ME work content and NRC budgeting.
• Relationships - Maintain positive, team relationships with internal and external customers, key stakeholders within the business. Foster and champion 5 principles within sphere of influence.

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How You'll Contribute

To help us make a difference, you’ll bring your passion and talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:

Essential:

• Degree qualified in technical subject
• Experience of managing Manufacturing Systems and their industrialisation (Principal, Manager, Lead positions)
• Experience in liaising & Reporting to customers and managing business relationships
• Fluent in English language, both written and spoken

Desirable:

• Experience working with transparencies
• Experience managing substantial projects improving productivity &/or  Industrialisation in an aerospace/automotive environment
• Project / Program Management Professional Qualification
• Familiarity with AS9145 APQP process or equivalent
• Familiarity with appropriate digital systems for manufacturing systems

We are looking for people who want to make a difference, talented members with the skills and passions to become the best of the future in what they do.

To be successful in this role you will demonstrate leadership skills in terms of awareness and maturity to drive to the right business goals in complex multisite environments. You will have the ability to lead and influence people, build trust and establish effective working relationships within a global organisation. The successful candidate will understands context of large organisations and is able to adapt between longer term strategic goals and short term tactical deployments.
 

What We'll Offer

Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:

• Competitive salary dependent on experience
• Opportunity to earn up to 15% bonus 
• Hybrid working – giving you the opportunity to balance home and office working
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis
• Life Assurance 8 x salary
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Income protection
• Shopping discounts
• Cycle To Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment 

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!