Defence Aerospace Chief Engineer: Airworthiness & Delivery

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

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.