Composite Tooling Operator (12 month fixed term contract)

GKN Aerospace; East Cowes; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a composites expert to join a dynamic team focused on innovative aerospace solutions. This role offers the chance to work with advanced composite materials, ensuring adherence to high-quality standards while contributing to exciting projects in air travel. With a commitment to sustainability and a culture that values diversity and collaboration, this position promises not only professional growth but also the opportunity to be part of a team that is shaping the future of aerospace technology. If you're passionate about innovation and excellence, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Qualifications

• Outstanding knowledge in composite materials and manufacturing processes.
• Effective communicator with a strong safety mindset and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Work with various composite materials and adhere to process/tool drawing requirements.
• Prepare, lay-up, cure, and finish tools as required while complying with safety standards.

Skills

Composite materials knowledge

Pre-preg & Wet layup

Drilling

Grinding

Fettling

Polishing

Mixing chemicals/resins

Effective communication

Attention to detail

Safety mindset

Education

NVQ3 Composite Engineering

Time-served apprenticeship in aircraft fitting/aeronautical/aerospace engineering

Tools

Composite tooling techniques

Assembly tools and fixtures

Job description

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 opportunity will be offered on an initial 12 month FTC, with a potential view to going permanent, depending upon business requirements.

Due to an exciting period of growth we are now seeking a true composites superstar to join a small, niche, highly skilled team of experts in their field, responsible for the manufacture and/or repair of composite tools on a variety of contracts to meet customer, quality and regulatory standards.

Job holders will be required to achieve a “certified” status where applicable and will receive relevant training to undertake their tasks safely, and to a high quality level, through a Job Instruction Process. Requirements will be set out in their role/department competence matrix.

Job holder will be supported by their Team Leader (TL), who will enable training or coaching required to support them in their role and will quickly respond to them if they find any off-standard/quality issues.

Job Responsibilities

• To work with various composite materials (Pre-preg & Wet layup)
• To adhere to the process/tool drawing requirements
• To prepare, lay-up, cure and finish tool as required
• When required, to lay-up composite materials as Composite Operator
• Undertake all tasks in compliance with standard work and the training provided.
• At all times comply with the Site’s Business Management System (BMS) / Quality Management System (QMS).
• Make any problems; safety, quality, or other immediately known to the Team Leader or Inspector.
• Be a Lean advocate implementing at least 1 Kaizen (problem identified and solved) per month.
• Support the Team, Team Leader & Inspectors with problem solving by contributing ideas and solutions based upon own experience of tasks.
• Understand the Team’s key performance indicators for People, Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cash and Cost and their personal contribution to improving them.
• Hold themselves, and fellow team members accountable to the 5 GKNA culture principles (Safe, Respect & Care, Open & Honest, Innovative, Ownership).
• Comply with all GKN Aerospace Health, Safety and Environmental policies and standards.
• Comply with all legal and regulatory requirements including export control regulations.
• Be an active Team member, contribute to team engagement activities and help create a ‘Great Place to Work’ through supporting a safe working environment, problem solving and supporting colleagues.

Job Qualifications

Suitable candidates will be able to demonstrate

• Outstanding knowledge/experience in composite materials, including pre-preg & wet layup, drilling, grinding, fettling, polishing, mixing of chemicals/resins etc;
• NVQ3 Composite Engineering or time-served apprenticeship in aircraft fitting/aeronautical/aerospace engineering or equivalent;
• The manufacturing of composite tooling from detail parts, using appropriate assembly and composite techniques, tools and fixtures;
• Good level of literacy and numeracy;
• Effective communicator;
• Ability to work effectively to deadlines and schedules;
• Ability to accurately follow verbal and written instructions;
• Ability to read drawings;
• Works effectively within, and can adhere to standardised processes and/or work instructions;
• Able to work both independently, or as part of a team;
• Demonstrates a high level of attention to detail;
• Safety mindset

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.