Senior Manufacturing Engineer

GKN; Leigh; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus up to 15%

Pension scheme matched 8% (1:1.5)

Life Assurance 8x salary

185 hours holiday + BH

Employee Assistance Programme

Free onsite parking

Job summary

GKN Aerospace in Luton is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to join the Manufacturing Engineering team, reporting to the Manufacturing Engineering Manager with day-to-day guidance from the ME Team Leader. Based at our Luton site supporting Defence lines, occasional travel to supplier locations may be required.

Core hours: 07:30–16:30 Mon-Thurs and 07:30–12:30 Fri, with early finish on Fridays. The role involves leading production planning from concept to production, designing

Qualifications

• Minimum HND qualification (or equivalent) in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering/Aerospace.
• Six Sigma Greenbelt qualification.
• Experience in APQP standards including Process Flow Diagram, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA and Process Capability.
• Experience of root cause analysis using Fishbone Diagrams and 5 Whys techniques.
• Demonstrable experience of practical problem-solving 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 ZDM tools and APQP Core Tools.
• Develop, document and optimise manufacturing processes (SOPs and Process Specifications).
• Create and update engineering documentation and manage introduction activities.
• Lead improvement activities to reduce scrap and rework.
• Provide MRB support to ensure process deviations are reviewed and answered.
• Make presentations at senior level internally and externally.

Skills

Six Sigma Green Belt

Manufacturing Engineering

APQP

Root cause analysis

A3/8D problem solving

Education

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

Job description

As part of the Manufacturing Engineering team, the Senior Manufacturing Engineer will report directly to the Manufacturing Engineering Manager, with day-to-day guidance and support provided by the ME Team Leader. Based at our Luton site and supporting Defence business lines, there may occasionally be a need to travel to equipment supplier locations. The Senior Manufacturing Engineer will join a team focused on either Jet Canopies or Helicopters, contributing to the development of manufacturing processes as well as supporting daily operational activities. Core operational hours at our Luton site are: 07:30 - 16:30 Monday to Thursday & 07:30 - 12:30 Friday, earlier finish on Friday to start the weekend.

Job 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.

What You'll Bring

• Minimum HND qualification (or equivalent) in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering/Aerospace
• Demonstrable Manufacturing Engineering experience gained from ideally the Aerospace, Automotive, Yellow Goods industry
• 6Sigma Greenbelt qualification
• Experience in APQP standards including Process Flow Diagram, Process Failure Mode Effect Analysis, Process Control Plans, Measurement System Analysis and Process Capability
• Experience of root cause analysis using Fishbone (Cause and Effect) Diagrams and 5 Whys (Five Whys) techniques
• Demonstrable experience of practical problem-solving techniques using A3 or 8D

Desirable

• Experience Leading Lean Manufacturing including process standardisation kaizen activities such as 5S
• Experience in lay-up processes for composite materials
• Specification interpretation experience

We are looking for people who want to make a difference, talented members with the skills and passions to become the best of the future in what they do. The Senior Manufacturing Engineer will have the ability to communicate effectively at all levels within an organisation and be flexible in their approach. The successful person will have a hands‑on, creative approach to collaborate with multiple departments to improve manufacturing processes.

The position requires UK National Security Vetting (UKNSV) Security clearance (SC) due to the nature and responsibilities of the work carried out. In order for us to obtain an SC you usually need to have been resident in the UK for a minimum of 5 years to current date (but we will assess each case individually).

What We'll Offer

• Competitive salary dependent on experience
• The opportunity to earn up to 15% bonus
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we'll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis
• Life Assurance 8 x salary
• 185 hours holiday + bank holidays
• Income protection
• Shopping discounts
• Cycle To Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family
• Electric Vehicle (EV) salary sacrifice scheme (Insurance, servicing, maintenance, roadside assistance and more included)
• Free onsite parking
• Local gym discount
• Free airport parking
• Discount with local nursery and preschool childcare setting
• Enhanced family friendly leave
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment

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. 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. Based at our Luton manufacturing plant you'll do just that.

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?

Established in 1993, GKN Aerospace in Luton is a world leader in commercial and military ice protection systems and transparencies. Offering a full range of capabilities; design, analysis, testing, certification and manufacture of electro-thermal ice protection, military fast jet canopies and flight deck windows to over 20 programmes including: Boeing 787, Dreamliner, AgustaWestland, AW101, Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. Our customers include Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Bell Helicopters, Textron, BAE Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Leonardo. Our Luton site is home to 370+ employees and onsite facilities including onsite parking, food hub and vending machines.

We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology. 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.