Manufacturing Engineering Manager

GKN; Bradley Stoke; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus up to 15%

EV salary sacrifice

Pension matched 8%

Life assurance 8x

25 days holiday

Job summary

GKN Aerospace in Filton seeks a Manufacturing Engineering Manager to lead a multi-disciplined team delivering robust process technology for materials, tooling, fabrication and assembly. You will drive ZDM, lean initiatives and productivity improvements across production and development programs.

The role requires strong leadership, a safety-first mindset and a track record of delivering measurable results while developing engineering talent within a global organisation.

Qualifications

• Technical expertise in Manufacturing Engineering with a professional engineering qualification.
• Experience leading engineering teams on projects and production support.
• Experience with LEAN and quality systems such as ISO9000/AS9100.
• Industrialisation of processes and cost estimation.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering teams to deliver measurable, metrics-driven results aligned with operations and programs.
• Develop and deliver manufacturing engineering training and career development.
• Implement tooling and production planning from concept to production.
• Drive zero-defect manufacturing and process capability improvements.
• Maintain relationships with customers and internal stakeholders.
• Continuously improve production processes with Lean initiatives.

Skills

LEAN principles

Quality systems (ISO9000/AS9100)

Team leadership

Industrial/chemical engineering

Process control

ZDM understanding

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

APQP (AS9145)

NADCAP

Heat treatment knowledge

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. We have an new exciting and career defining opportunity for a Manufacturing Engineering Manager within our Chemical Processes & Surface Treatments team who will be Responsible for leading a multi-disciplined, process control focused engineering team that eliminate waste through deployment of a Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) methodology and productivity focused initiatives. The successful applicant will manage a team of around 8 engineers deploying engineering resources to Production & Development Programs and ensure compliance of these deployed teams to the established functional processes. You will deliver robust, capable manufacturing process technology as it applies to both materials, tooling, part fabrication and assembly.

How You'll Contribute

• Exemplifying a safety-first mind-set and ensuring compliance with the GKN Aerospace Health, Safety and Environmental policies and standards
• Maintain and develop internal, customer and regulatory compliant processes and standards
• Develop technical solutions to complex problems. Delivery of a manufacturing system that fulfils all stakeholder requirements including; Safety, Quality, Productivity & Business case
• Lead engineering teams to deliver measurable, metrics driven results in line with Operational and Program goals
• Develop and deliver manufacturing engineering training strategy for the business. Lead capability & career development of the engineering team
• Build a culture of process control and Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM), through designing systems with high process capability
• Responsible for the implementation of tooling and or production planning, from original concept through to production
• Accountable for product development, new product quotes, tool fabrication quotes, first article development, configuration changes that involve cost estimation, schedule coordination, build process definition, and implementation
• Maintain positive, team relationships with internal and external customers, as well as co-workers
• Continuously improve production processes by implementing Lean initiatives

What You'll Bring

To help us make a difference, you'll bring your passion and expertise/ talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes.

Technical expertise in Manufacturing Engineering, with a professional qualification / background in engineering, ideally a Chemical or Industrial Engineering Degree Experience leading a team of engineers in execution of projects & operational support Project / Program Management Experience of managing New Product / Process introduction (industrialisation) & existing production process improvements Ability to influence people, build trust and establish effective working relationships within a global organisation Working knowledge of LEAN processes and practices Working knowledge of quality system models such as ISO9000, AS9100, or D1-#####

Desirable

• Knowledge in Surface Treatments; for example Anodising, Conversion Coating, Passivation, Painting and Shot peening
• Familiarity with AS9145 APQP process or equivalent
• Auditor qualification
• NADCAP process and procedure experience
• Heat Treatment and Metallurgy
• Experience with REACH - Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals

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.

Perks & Benefits

• Competitive salary dependent on experience
• Up to 15% Bonus
• Access to a salary sacrifice EV scheme giving tax and national insurance savings
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis (Employer max contribution 12% - totalling up to 20% contribution)
• Life Assurance 8 x salary
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Flexible working hours including the ability to finish at 12noon on a Friday
• 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 our 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 you 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.

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 also facilitate 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.

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