Associate Manufacturing Engineer - Product & Planning

GKN; Bristol; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace manufacturer in Bristol seeks an Associate Manufacturing Engineer to drive operational excellence. This role involves developing technical solutions, implementing Lean practices, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. Ideal candidates hold an engineering degree and possess problem-solving skills. The position offers opportunities for career progression within a diverse and inclusive work environment, alongside a competitive salary and benefits package.

Benefits

Competitive salary dependent on experience

Industry-leading pension scheme

Life assurance 8 × salary

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Flexible working hours

Income protection

Shopping discounts

Cycle to work scheme

Employee assistance programme

Virtual GP clinic for family

Qualifications

• University degree in engineering or equivalent qualification.
• Ability to apply complex analytical skills.
• Experience with aerospace standards and engineering processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop technical solutions to complex manufacturing problems.
• Implement Lean initiatives to improve production processes.
• Provide manufacturing engineering capability to operational programmes.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering

Problem-solving

Technical expertise in engineering

Team collaboration

Lean initiatives

Root-cause analysis

Commercial awareness

Education

University degree in engineering

ONC qualification in engineering

Tools

ISO9000

AS9100

Job description

It’s great to know you’re making a difference to the future of aviation! Whatever part you play you’ll be helping us deliver operational excellence to our customers. At our GKN Filton site, we specialise in the design and manufacture of large complex structural wing assemblies, detailed metallic components and wing systems for a combination of both civil and military aircraft. As the new Associate Manufacturing Engineer within Product & Planning you will be providing manufacturing engineering capability to operational and development programmes to enable and deliver zero‑defect projects utilising engineering and problem‑solving skills. The successful candidate will be accountable for delivering robust, capable manufacturing processes technology as it applied to materials, tooling, part fabrication and assembly.

How You’ll Contribute

• Exemplify a safety‑first mind‑set and ensuring compliance with the GKN Aerospace Health, Safety and Environmental policies and standards.
• Responsible for the development of technical solutions to complex problems within GKN Aerospace, our customers and suppliers.
• Deliver technical support of manufacturing process development and integration for production.
• Utilise root‑cause analysis, preventative and corrective action to reduce/eliminate non‑conformances.
• Maintain positive, team relationships with internal and external customers, as well as co‑workers.
• Continuously improve production processes by implementing Lean initiatives.
• Responsible for the development of manufacturing process solutions to complex problems through:
• Accountable for the implementation of production planning, from original concept through to production. Design these processes to a high level of process capability through utilising the GKN standard Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) tool suite.
• Accountable for product development, first‑article development, configuration changes, build process definition and implementation.
• Technical expertise in Manufacturing Engineering, with a professional qualification (university degree) or an ONC and background in engineering (Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical).
• Increasingly able to provide technical input at all levels of work.
• Capable of being a technical representative, representing the business at a customer/supplier meeting.
• Drives to complete the job on time and continually searches for better ways of doing things.
• Understands situations by analysing them logically and uses information in a systematic way identifying appropriate course of action for resolution.
• Carries out continuing professional development (CPD) necessary to ensure competence in areas identified and at the future professional level intended.
• Working knowledge of quality system models such as ISO9000, AS9100, or D1‑9000.
• Prepared to work on the complete range of GKN Aerospace programmes, both civil and military.
• Understanding of APQP AS9145 principles.

Additional Qualifications

• Identify and anticipate technical problems and offer solutions.
• Ability to apply complex and non‑routine analysis.
• Act without supervision in own area whilst able to supervise others.
• Able to show commercial awareness at a local level.
• Able to explain concepts to a variety of audiences and ensure meaning is understood.
• Create and build formal networks with key decision makers internally and externally.

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 are 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.

Benefits

• Competitive salary dependent on experience.
• Industry‑leading pension scheme – we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1:1.5 basis.
• Life assurance 8 × salary.
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays.
• Flexible working hours.
• Income protection.
• Shopping discounts.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Virtual GP clinic for you and immediate family.
• 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 your career journey may take 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 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. 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.