Engineering Team Lead

Date: 24 Jul 2025

Location: Papendrecht, NL

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

 

This role will focus on managing the engineering work packages and tasks in order to meet the overall program and business objectives for the NH90 program. It involves managing day-to-day activities of the several disciplines within the Design Built Support Team including Designers, Analysis Engineers, System Engineers, Qualification Engineers and others.
The team is responsible for the development, qualification and production of structure components for NH90 helicopter, in both Army (TTH, or Tactical Transport Helicopter) and Navy (NFH, or NATO Frigate Helicopter) versions, which are developed under GKN Fokker responsibility.


The Engineering Team Lead will support the Chief Engineer with operationally and technically managing the Functional Team Leads and, if the Functional Team Lead is not available, the allocated engineers of the Design Built Support Team. The ETL reports hierarchically to the FOKKER-NH90 Chief Engineer and operationally to the FOKKER-NH90 Chief Engineer and Program Manager. The team is located in Papendrecht offices.

Job Responsibilities

This role is responsible for:

  • Leading the delivery of Engineering Work Packages/ Tasks in the Non-Recurring Phase of the Program, agreed with the Chief Engineer/ Program Manager to meet the overall program and business objectives. Within the DBST each discipline is managed by a Functional Team Lead, who operationally reports to the ETL. 
  • Managing and aligning the multi-disciplinary activities within the team in order to assure that the engineering deliverables meet the applicable technical requirements (manufacturability, certification and qualification requirements) all within time frame and by following financial planning.
  • Delivering of Engineering Work Packages/ Tasks in the Non-Recurring Phase of the Program, agreed with the Chief Engineer/ Program Manager to meet the overall program and business objectives.
  • Executing engineering deliverables to meet the applicable technical requirements (including manufacturability, certification / qualification requirements) within agreed time and cost objectives.
  • Implementing and ensuring cost & schedule control: non-recurring cost planning, tracking / control and reporting through Earned Value Management.
  • Supporting Chief Engineer in the execution of Program Risk Management by identifying Technical Risks and determining associated Mitigation Actions.
  • Initiating corrective measures in the case of deviations from the time and financial objectives.
  • Managing change & scope control and providing input to the internal Change Control Process.
  • Issuing day-to-day operational management to the Engineering Project Team.
  • Coordinating the engineering resource and equipment requirements including timely indication of changes in the requirements affecting demand in resources and equipment.
  • Directing of overall resourcing conflicts between programs in conjunction with Functional Heads.
  • Acting as link to other Internal Departments as Operations and Procurement to provide general support and to achieve specific agreements on manufacturing philosophy, Design-to-Cost, Supplier Quotations, etc.
  • Identification of Work Packages suitable for off-load to external suppliers including drafting Statements of Work.

Job Qualifications

You have a keen eye for continuous improvement. You are able to deliver results. You are able to structure, show perseverance and make it all happen.

  • At least 10 years of relevant experience gained within a technical discipline – fast-paced environment, preferably in an aerospace environment and in multidisciplinary project teams,
  • Bachelor or Master Degree in Aerospace engineering or equivalent in working and thinking level,
  • Previous exposure on leading teams (delivery through people without direct hierarchical authority) or experience in managing (complex) engineering projects,
  • Previously held (internal) technical approval authority, i.e. the ideal candidate is recognized with appropriate technical seniority for design or analysis,
  • Project management, planning and organizing based on recognized project management methods,
  • A keen eye for continuous improvement and able to deliver results,
  • Results oriented,
  • Structured, showing perseverance and can get the work done mentality,
  • Team leadership skills, overseeing multiple disciplines,
  • Strong communication skills,
  • Excellent team player, you are able to work effectively with diverse teams & team members,
  • Strong mindset, committed, focused, able to work under pressure,
  • Proficient in managing escalation processes effectively,
  • Able to work on a military program, and comply with the necessary security and nationality requirements

What is in it for you?

Our organization demonstrates passion for innovation and our employees are rightly proud for what we engineer and build. This is truly a challenging work environment: a role where you contribute as an individual but also as a member of a diverse and international team of experts. At GKN Aerospace, we not only provide you with the tools to perform at the best of your capabilities, but we also support and promote your technical and personal development.Furthermore, we offer to you:

  • A gross monthly salary based on the CLA Metalektro Grade M and in line with your experience and qualifications,
  • 8% holiday allowance,
  • 42 paid holidays for full-time employment,
  • Working conditions according to the CLA Metalektro, including an excellent pension scheme (PME) and travel allowance,
  • A pleasant and informal working environment, in which we work together to achieve the best result for our customers in a pleasant atmosphere.


Next to a competitive package, we will offer you a world of opportunities: we want to see your career fly! We will 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 are on board, you never know where your career journey may take you! 

How to apply

Are you interested in the position and do you meet the requirements? Use the "apply now" now button, if you have any questions you can reach out to Ioanna Dimitriadi via ioanna.dimitriadi@fokker.com. We are committed to offer you a challenge but also a great opportunity to learn and grow. We want to offer you a career that can go to many directions thanks to our breadth of international opportunities. By being part of GKN Fokker Aerospace that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry, you will know that you will be working towards being the most trusted partner in the aerospace industry.

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. ​

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