Chief Engineer - Defence Aerospace

GKN Aerospace; Hoogeveen; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8% holiday allowance

42 paid holidays (NL)

Pension PME

Travel allowance

Job summary

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

You will define the technical strategy, head multidisciplinary engineering teams, manage risks, and partner with Program Management, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Finance, and Commercial to deliver from concept through certification.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in aerospace or related engineering discipline.
• 10+ years engineering experience in aerospace/defense and regulated industries.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage certification, airworthiness, and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead Engineering Excellence across the full product development lifecycle from concept to certification.
• Drive program performance by defining and maintaining the Project Engineering Plan and WBS; manage scope, schedule and costs.
• Ensure airworthiness via certification plans and compliance documentation; lead investigations when needed.
• Lead and inspire engineers and team leads; foster collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Engage customers and stakeholders as the primary technical focal point and collaborate with operations, manufacturing, procurement, quality, and commercial teams.
• Drive continuous improvement through design reviews, lessons learned, and advancing engineering tools and standards.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Education

Aerospace Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Systems Engineering

Tools

Earned Value Management (EVM)

Job description

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 Engineering Excellence

• 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.

Drive Continuous Improvement

• 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.

Soft skills

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.

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

• 8% holiday allowance,
• 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.