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.
As part of GKN Aerospace Airframes E&T, Chief Manufacturing Engineers (CME) lead the development, industrialisation and improvement of Manufacturing Systems whilst serving as the customer-facing representatives of the ME function.
Day-to-day, a CME is focused on delivery of non-recurring engineering projects including New Product Introductions (NPI), Transfers of Work (ToW), Major Modifications (Mods), Technology Insertions and resolving manufacturing process related quality and delivery challenges together with production engineering teams.
When necessary, a CME may lead deployed ME resources to deliver these projects, ensuring compliance with identified requirements (e.g. Produceability, Productivity, Cost, Schedule, Regulatory) and adherence to Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) standards.
Remote Role
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
This is a remote working position that requires frequent routine and occasional non-routine travel (up to 25-50%) to be on-site at GKN facilities and suppliers, including but not limited to; Phoenix (AZ), Wichita (KS), Sumner (WA), Chihuahua (Mexico), Tallassee (AL).
Candidates must live in a location with strong transport links. This could be 1-2 hours drive (approx.) from a major international hub airport (e.g. Dallas, Atlanta, Houston) or locally to a regional airport with multiple flights per day to major hub airports.
ROLE ACCOUNTABILITIES
- 01Bids– Accountable to validate and approve the proposed definition of the Manufacturing System and its associated performance targets which are submitted at LG3 (Programme Launch). Working closely with the Industrial Architect, the CME reviews output for technical risks and communicates these to the Programme. This may include process flow, bill of materials, proposed industrial setting, product cost estimates, requirements compliance or technology developments needed. The CME owns the Non-Recurring Engineering cost estimate for the ME technical content delivery.
- 02NPI– Accountable for delivering a Manufacturing System that fulfils all agreed stakeholder requirements (technical, quality, regulatory), business case metrics and system performance targets between LG3 (Programme Launch) and LG7 (Steady State Production) whilst ensuring that planning, development and commissioning is completed on-schedule and on-cost.
- 03Sustaining – Accountable for the governance and oversight of a portfolio of Manufacturing Systems, delivered through regular review of system KPIs and Industrial Review assessments. Takes corrective action to ensure Manufacturing Systems continue to perform in-line with the productivity & quality targets set.
- 04Leadership of Projects- Accountable for delivery of the non-recurring ME activities within a given programme or project. Responsible to provide
technical leadership and direction using project management fundamentals
planning & estimating, resourcing & budgeting and reporting on project performance (earned value) to internal business standards.
- 05Leadership of Teams – Accountable to the Programme and Site for effective utilisation of deployed manufacturing engineering resource while delivering ME content of projects by providing day-to-day coordination, recognition and accountability and implementing ME best practice with the deployed team.
- 06Quality – Accountable for delivery of manufacturing systems that are Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) capable through a relentless focus on delivering APQP to the AS9145 standard during the NPI phase. Must exhibit and drive a product quality mind-set within ME and ensure compliance to agreed Customer, Regulatory, Business and functional standards.
- 07Relationships – Accountable to maintain positive and functional working relationships with internal and external customers, to communicate and inform clearly and frequently with key stakeholders within the business, and to foster and champion GKN’s 5 principles within sphere of influence.
ROLE QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- 08Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional qualification in Engineering (Aerospace, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Materials, Electrical, Chemical, or related discipline).
- 09Minimum of 8 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing or similar, highly regulated environments operating under AS9100 Quality Management Systems.
- 10Recent experience developing a manufacturing system for a New Product Introduction (NPI) with a comprehensive understanding of product lifecycle gate processes.
- 11Broad, hands-on experience with common manufacturing processes (e.g. machining, forming, welding, composites, assembly, metrology).
- 12Knowledgeable of structured problem solving and RCCA methodologies (e.g. 8D) and how to apply these to complex problems.
- 13Demonstrated capability to organise and drive technical projects to achieve business goals, preferably in complex multi-site environments.
- 14Ability to lead and influence people, build trust and establish effective working relationships within a global organisation and with external customer stakeholders.
- 15Fluent in English language, both written and spoken.
- 16US Person for Export Control purposes
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Preferred
- 17Demonstrated deployment of AS9145 APQP process.
- 18Working knowledge of digital systems for manufacturing (PLM, MES, ERP).
- 19Deep, expert knowledge in one or more manufacturing process areas (e.g. machining, forming, welding, composites, assembly, metrology).
- 20Experience working with or for major aerospace OEMs and their systems.
- 21Proven ability to lead change in a Manufacturing System with evidence of delivering significant improvements in terms of cost, quality or throughput.
- 22Proven ability to identify and deliver industrial productivity improvements and monitor their efficacy by setting appropriate metrics.
- 23Project / Programme Management Professional Qualification.
- 24Six Sigma Certification.
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SALARY RANGE
$120-160k
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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United States
