Global Graduate Program (Management)

Date: Dec 9, 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.

The Global Graduate Program - Management

Our Global Graduate Program gives an unique introduction to get to know GKN Aerospace. The 24-month graduate program includes rotations in different departments. You are exposed to various parts of the business, allowed to set your own goals, explore your own interests and develop yourself in your own direction.  

During your placements, you will be part of a global team, giving you the opportunity to experience different cultures and work with a diverse range of people. Whether you envisage a career as an engineer innovating to overcome technical challenges or as an executive helping to lead the business, choosing GKN Aerospace means choosing a global engineering network with wide-ranging opportunities.  

Throughout the program, we give you the opportunity to test and grow your (technical) knowledge and personal skills. You will have support and mentoring from experienced leaders and coaches as you work on real projects, solving real problems and delivering real change. We aim to match your capabilities and aspirations to our strategic and operational needs, ensuring a thriving business for us and fulfilling career for you. 

We are committed to your continuous development and success throughout the program as you will be involved in an on-boarding and structured development program, and part of a GKN Aerospace Global Group Graduate Community, to provide you with support and networking opportunities throughout your career at GKN. You will also have the opportunity to take part in additional activities outside of your role, whether it be supporting local community initiatives outside of your role, whether it be supporting local community initiatives, or our young people strategy, and you are given the encouragement and time to participate. 

Your assignments can be at different GKN Aerospace entities in the Netherlands, but also abroad, therefore, you are willing to work on a co-location basis at different sites. 

What You'll Bring

  • You bring the skills, enthusiasm and passion to become leaders of the future in what they do,
  • You have an ability for sound judgement and decision making, able to work with teams and across cultures,
  • Your educational background is a Master’s degree. We prefer a completed Master’s at a University of Technology, or a Master’s degree in a subject related to our business processes,
  • You have gained managerial and international experience during your studies and extracurricular activities,
  • It is important that you can convince us of your proven affinity with the Aerospace industry or your strong interest,
  • You have a maximum of one-year relevant working experience,
  • You have a passion to drive your career and your continuous personal development,
  • You are open to different cultures and you master the English and, preferably, Dutch language at a good level,
  • You have residence in the Netherlands.

What We'll Offer

  • 24 month program with a guaranteed permanent opportunity on Graduation,
  • Variety of rewarding and challenging placements across different programs and sites rotating every 6 months,
  • Working at the forefront of engineering, technology and innovations,
  • International exposure opportunities,
  • Structured development journey,
  • Home Managers, Placement Managers, Mentors, Buddy, Coach to support you throughout your program,
  • Opportunity to understand and therefore work to your personal strengths,
  • Competitive Salary,
  • High Level of Exposure to different parts of the business; sites, locations, customers, stakeholders,
  • An ambassador for the organisation at various events and functions as well as STEM and Future Careers events,
  • A member of the Global Graduate community.

The Selection Process

Excited to begin this journey? If so, apply by submitting your CV and motivation letter by the 28th of February 2026. If your application will be shortlisted, you will have a screening call with our Talent Acquisition team, an online assessment, a 1st (virtual) interview with the hiring managers and a final assessment on site (day event) in April 2026. During the assessment day, you will be asked to prepare & deliver an individual presentation, collaborate and present a group exercise and participate in an individual interview.

What else to keep in mind? The Global Onboarding for all Global Graduates of 2026 is set in September 2026, therefore, we expect that you will be ready to start your career at GKN Aerospace.

We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to connect with you!

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. ​