Chief Engineer - Defence Aerospace

GKN Aerospace; Hoogeveen; On-site; EUR 75,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Gross monthly salary (CAO, Grade N) €6

€6,755–€8,697 gross/month

42 paid holidays

Pension PME

Travel allowance

Dynamic working environment

Job summary

GKN Aerospace in the Netherlands is seeking a Chief Engineer to lead the technical execution of aerospace and defence programs, ensuring airworthiness, certification, and cost-effective solutions.

You will drive multidisciplinary engineering teams, set the technical strategy, manage risks, and guarantee performance, schedule, and quality while collaborating with Operations, Manufacturing, Procurement, Quality and Commercial teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of engineering experience, preferably in aerospace/defence or a regulated industry.
• Strong track record leading complex multidisciplinary engineering programs.
• Broad technical expertise across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Experience with certification, airworthiness, and product compliance processes.
• Proven ability to lead technical teams and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
• Strong understanding of project management, risk management, budgeting, and scheduling.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to make sound decisions in complex environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering activities across the full product development lifecycle from concept through certification and maturity.
• Deliver innovative technical solutions meeting customer expectations and business objectives.
• Ensure compliance with airworthiness, certification, regulatory, and customer requirements.
• Serve as the primary technical authority within the program.
• Establish and maintain project engineering plan and WBS.
• Manage engineering scope, schedule, cost, and resources.
• Lead design reviews (PDR/CDR) and coordinate with stakeholders.
• Promote best practices and continuous improvement across the org.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Project management

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in Aerospace/Mechanical/Systems Engineering

Job description

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Chief Engineer Aerospace & Defence | Lead Innovation & Program Excellence

Are you an accomplished engineering leader with a passion for aerospace innovation, technical excellence, and program delivery? Do you thrive in complex, multidisciplinary environments where technology, leadership, and business objectives come together?

We are looking for an experienced Chief Engineer to join our Defence Engineering & Technology organization in the Netherlands. In this highly visible leadership role, you will be responsible for the overall technical execution and engineering performance of complex aerospace and defence programs, ensuring the successful delivery of innovative, airworthy, and cost-effective solutions.

As a member of the Program Core Team, you will work closely with Program Management, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Finance, and Commercial teams to drive program success from concept development through certification and product realization.

Your impact

As Chief Engineer, you are the technical authority and engineering leader within the program. You will define the technical strategy, lead multidisciplinary engineering teams, manage technical risks, and ensure that program objectives are achieved in terms of performance, quality, schedule, cost, and certification.

You will play a pivotal role in turning complex customer requirements into world-class aerospace solutions while maintaining the highest standards of technical excellence, safety, and airworthiness.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all engineering activities across the full product development lifecycle, from concept and feasibility studies through development, certification, and product maturity.
• Deliver innovative and competitive technical solutions that meet customer expectations and business objectives.
• Ensure compliance with airworthiness, certification, regulatory, and customer requirements.
• Serve as the primary technical authority within the program.

Drive Program Performance

• Establish and maintain the Project Engineering Plan (PEP) and Engineering Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
• Manage engineering scope, schedule, cost, and resource requirements.
• Implement engineering planning, monitoring, and reporting mechanisms, including Earned Value Management (EVM).
• Identify technical risks and develop effective mitigation strategies.
• Lead corrective actions when deviations occur in performance, schedule, or budget.

Ensure Airworthiness & Certification

• Develop and maintain certification plans and compliance documentation.
• Support and execute delegated airworthiness responsibilities.
• Lead technical investigations and corrective actions resulting from in-service events, incidents, or technical findings.
• Ensure products meet all applicable certification and qualification requirements.

Lead and Inspire Teams

• Provide operational leadership to Engineering Team Leads, Technical Project Leads, and Engineers.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.
• Coach and mentor engineering professionals, supporting their growth and development.
• Ensure effective deployment of engineering resources across programs and priorities.

Engage Customers and Stakeholders

• Act as the primary technical focal point for customers and strategic partners.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Support business development activities by demonstrating engineering capability and identifying new opportunities.
• Collaborate closely with Operations, Manufacturing, Procurement, Quality, and Commercial teams to achieve optimal program outcomes.
• Lead major design reviews, including Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR) and Critical Design Reviews (CDR).
• Promote best practices, process improvements, lessons learned, and knowledge sharing across the organization.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of engineering tools, methodologies, and standards.

What you bring to be successful

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of engineering experience, preferably within aerospace, defence, or a highly regulated industry.
• Strong track record leading complex multidisciplinary engineering programs.
• Broad technical expertise across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Experience with certification, airworthiness, and product compliance processes.
• Proven ability to lead technical teams and influence stakeholders without direct hierarchical authority.
• Strong understanding of project management principles, risk management, budgeting, and schedule control.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to make sound decisions in complex and uncertain environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Formal project management training or certification.
• Experience working within international and multicultural organizations.
• Experience coaching, mentoring, and developing engineering talent.
• Knowledge of aerospace development lifecycle management and Earned Value Management methodologies.

You combine technical authority with inspirational leadership. You can balance strategic thinking with operational execution and are motivated by delivering results through people.

You are:

• A respected technical leader.
• Customer-focused and commercially aware.
• Decisive and resilient under pressure.
• Results-driven and accountable.
• An excellent communicator and relationship builder.
• Passionate about innovation, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Committed to developing both technology and people.

What we offer

We are committed to offer you a challenge but also a great opportunity to learn and grow. We want to offer you a career that can go to many directions thanks to our breadth of international opportunities. By being part of GKN Aerospace that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry, you will know that you will be working towards being the most trusted partner in the aerospace industry.

We will support and promote your professional and personal development. Furthermore, we will offer you:

• A gross monthly salary based on the Metalektro collective labor agreement (CAO), within Grade N, ranging from €6.755 to €8.697 gross a month, depending on knowledge and experience. If senior-level experience is applicable, O scale applies, with a maximum of € 9.440,-
• 42 paid holidays for full-time employment in line with the Collective Labor Agreement Metalektro (29 holidays and 13 ADV days),
• An excellent pension scheme (PME) and travel allowance,
• A pleasant and informal working environment, in which we work together to achieve the best result for our customers.

Interested?

In case of any questions you can contact Tamara via [e-mail]