Senior Aerospace Manufacturing Engineer — Process Improvement Lead

GKN Aerospace; Watford; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Up to 15% bonus

Industry Leading Pension Scheme

Life Assurance 8 x salary

185 hours holiday + bank holidays

Cycle To Work Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Free onsite parking

EV salary sacrifice scheme

Job summary

GKN Aerospace in the UK is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer based at the Luton site to drive production planning and develop high‑capability manufacturing processes.

You will lead APQP activities, use ZDM tools, and collaborate across departments to improve efficiency and comply with EH&S requirements. Some travel to supplier locations may be required.

The role offers a competitive package with a broad benefits program and potential for career progression.

Qualifications

• Minimum HND qualification (or equivalent) in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering/Aerospace.
• Manufacturing Engineering experience in Aerospace, Automotive or Yellow Goods industries.
• Six Sigma Greenbelt qualification.
• Experience in APQP standards including Process Flow Diagram, PFMEA, Process Control Plans, MSA and Process Capability.
• Experience with Fishbone diagrams and 5 Whys for root cause analysis.
• Experience with practical problem-solving techniques using A3 or 8D.

Responsibilities

• Local project technical lead for the implementation of production planning, from original concept through to production.
• Design high capability manufacturing processes using GKN's Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) tool suite, APQP Core Tools.
• Develop, document and optimise manufacturing processes such as creation/amendment SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) and Process Specifications.
• Create and update engineering documentation, manage point of introduction activities.
• Lead structured improvement activities to reduce process driven scrap and rework.
• Provide MRB (Material Review Board) support to existing programmes to ensure any process deviation or product faults are reviewed and answered.
• Make presentations at senior level internally and externally demonstrating ability to clearly communicate to the audience.
• Identify, anticipate and offer solutions to technical problems.
• Establish & improve production process controls.
• Comply with company Environmental, Health, Safety and Energy procedures.

Skills

6Sigma Greenbelt

Root Cause Analysis

Problem Solving (A3/8D)

Communication at senior level

Lean Manufacturing (5S)

Education

HND in Mechanical/Electrical/Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering/Aerospace

Tools

APQP Core Tools

ZDM tool suite

Process Flow Diagram

PFMEA

Measurement System Analysis

Process Capability

Fishbone / 5 Whys

A3 / 8D problem solving

Lean Manufacturing (5S)

Job description

GKN Aerospace in the UK is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer based at the Luton site to drive production planning and develop high‑capability manufacturing processes.

You will lead APQP activities, use ZDM tools, and collaborate across departments to improve efficiency and comply with EH&S requirements. Some travel to supplier locations may be required.

The role offers a competitive package with a broad benefits program and potential for career progression.