Manufacturing Engineer - Industrial (Papendrecht, NL)

Qabird; Papendrecht; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

40 paid holidays

Travel allowance

Pension scheme

Excellent training

Career development

Job summary

GKN Aerospace is expanding its Manufacturing Engineering team at Fokker Landing Gear in Papendrecht and seeks an Industrial Engineer to lead the industrialization of aerospace manufacturing processes, from machining to final assembly. You will drive manufacturability, quality, and efficiency for critical landing gear programs.

You will apply APQP, manage risk in product introductions, and collaborate with engineering, quality, operations, and supply chain to ensure robust production systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering (or equivalent).
• 5–7+ years of experience in machining process industrialization, preferably within aerospace or other high-precision manufacturing environments.
• Proven experience applying APQP methodologies in new product introduction (NPI) and industrialization projects.
• Strong expertise in machining complex aerospace materials, including aluminum, Inconel, and steels.
• Solid knowledge of APQP tools such as PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, and SPC.
• Proficient in GD&T, CNC machining/programming, tooling selection, and process optimization.
• Familiarity with aerospace quality standards, including AS9100 and NADCAP.
• Strong problem-solving and continuous improvement mindset, with experience using 8D, Lean, and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Experience contributing to Quality Management Systems (QMS), including procedures, work instructions, and standard templates.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and project management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Fluency in English, both in writing & speaking.

Responsibilities

• Lead the industrialization of complex precision-machined aerospace components, driving the transition from design to serial production while ensuring manufacturability, quality, and operational excellence for advanced aircraft programs.
• Develop, validate, and continuously optimize machining processes to achieve demanding quality, cost, and delivery objectives, leveraging data-driven decision-making and best practices in manufacturing engineering.
• Apply APQP methodologies to establish robust and reliable production processes, manage risk throughout product introduction, and ensure successful launches that meet customer and regulatory requirements.
• Drive production readiness and operational performance by supporting continuous improvement initiatives, root cause investigations, and problem-solving activities that enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and improve overall process capability.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, quality, operations, and supply chain teams to ensure seamless implementation of manufacturing solutions and successful execution of aerospace manufacturing programs.
• Ensure full compliance with aerospace industry standards, technical specifications, and customer requirements, maintaining the highest levels of product integrity, traceability, and regulatory adherence throughout the manufacturing lifecycle.
• Provide technical leadership and subject matter expertise in machining technologies, identifying innovative manufacturing solutions and implementing process improvements that strengthen competitiveness and operational performance.
• Monitor and improve process capability and product quality, utilizing structured problem-solving tools and statistical methods to deliver consistent, repeatable, and high-performance manufacturing outcomes.
• Exemplifying a safety-first mind-set and ensuring compliance with the GKN Aerospace Health, Safety and Environmental policies and standards.
• Responsible for the development of technical solutions to complex problems within GKN Aerospace, our customers and suppliers.
• Deliver technical support of manufacturing process development and integration for production.
• Utilize root cause analysis, preventative and corrective action to reduce/eliminate non-conformances.
• Maintain positive, team relationships with internal and external customers, as well as co-workers
• Continuously improve production processes by implementing Lean initiatives.

Skills

APQP

GD&T

CNC machining

Process optimization

Problem solving

Data-driven decisions

Quality standards

Cross-functional collaboration

Lean manufacturing

Project management

Communication

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering

Tools

PFMEA

Control Plans

MSA

SPC

Job description

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

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 32 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.6bn in 2025. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

We are looking to expand the Manufacturing Engineering team at Fokker Landing Gear, located in Papendrecht, and for this reason, we are looking for an Industrial Engineer to join the Industrialization team.
As an Industrial Engineer at our multi-technology manufacturing campus in Papendrecht, you will play a critical role in leading the industrialization of our manufacturing process starting from machining to special processes and final assembly ensuring efficiency and seamless production of landing gear components. Your contributions will directly support the delivery of unique projects that prioritize the safety of everyone who relies on our products in flight.

Fokker Landing Gear

Fokker Landing Gear, part of GKN Fokker, is a recognized specialist in landing gear and related systems. We focus on the design and development, production and assembly of complete landing gears, as well as the repair and reassembly of systems already in use. In doing so, we work on the most famous aircraft and helicopters; think of the Apache combat helicopter, the F-35 Lightning II (JSF), the Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 and the multipurpose NH90 maritime combat helicopter.

What you'll do

• Lead the industrialization of complex precision-machined aerospace components, driving the transition from design to serial production while ensuring manufacturability, quality, and operational excellence for advanced aircraft programs.
• Develop, validate, and continuously optimize machining processes to achieve demanding quality, cost, and delivery objectives, leveraging data-driven decision-making and best practices in manufacturing engineering.
• Apply Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) methodologies to establish robust and reliable production processes, manage risk throughout product introduction, and ensure successful launches that meet customer and regulatory requirements.
• Drive production readiness and operational performance by supporting continuous improvement initiatives, root cause investigations, and problem-solving activities that enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and improve overall process capability.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, quality, operations, and supply chain teams to ensure seamless implementation of manufacturing solutions and successful execution of aerospace manufacturing programs.
• Ensure full compliance with aerospace industry standards, technical specifications, and customer requirements, maintaining the highest levels of product integrity, traceability, and regulatory adherence throughout the manufacturing lifecycle.
• Provide technical leadership and subject matter expertise in machining technologies, identifying innovative manufacturing solutions and implementing process improvements that strengthen competitiveness and operational performance.
• Monitor and improve process capability and product quality, utilizing structured problem-solving tools and statistical methods to deliver consistent, repeatable, and high-performance manufacturing outcomes.
• Exemplifying a safety-first mind-set and ensuring compliance with the GKN Aerospace Health, Safety and Environmental policies and standards.
• Responsible for the development of technical solutions to complex problems within GKN Aerospace, our customers and suppliers.
• Deliver technical support of manufacturing process development and integration for production.
• Utilize root cause analysis, preventative and corrective action to reduce/eliminate non-conformances.
• Maintain positive, team relationships with internal and external customers, as well as co-workers
• Continuously improve production processes by implementing Lean initiatives.

What you'll bring

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering (or equivalent).
• 5-7+ years of experience in machining process industrialization, preferably within aerospace or other high-precision manufacturing environments.
• Proven experience applying APQP methodologies in new product introduction (NPI) and industrialization projects.
• Strong expertise in machining complex aerospace materials, including aluminum, Inconel, and steels.
• Solid knowledge of APQP tools such as PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, and SPC.
• Proficient in GD&T, CNC machining/programming, tooling selection, and process optimization.
• Familiarity with aerospace quality standards, including AS9100 and NADCAP.
• Strong problem-solving and continuous improvement mindset, with experience using 8D, Lean, and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Experience contributing to Quality Management Systems (QMS), including procedures, work instructions, and standard templates.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and project management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Fluency in English, both in writing & speaking.

What we’ll offer

A challenging position in an innovative and international environment with a rich history in aircraft manufacturing. Our organization breathes passion for engineering and all our teams are justifiably proud of what they develop and build. As a Manufacturing Engineer, you will receive a fantastic range of benefits, including:

• A competitive compensation package, with salary determined based on experience, qualifications, and overall fit for the role.
• 40 paid holidays for full-time employment.
• Working conditions according to the CAO Metalektro, including an excellent pension scheme and travel allowance.
• A working environment, in which we work together to achieve the best result for our customers.
• Every opportunity to build on your career and personal development.

Extra Info

Part of the selection procedure is carrying out the necessary checks and screenings in order to meet the requirements set by GKN Fokker's customers, partners and suppliers within the program. The checks and screenings will be assessed on the basis of frameworks set by our Export Compliance & Security department. Every employee within GKN Fokker must ultimately be authorized to give substance to his or her position. Assessment of checks and screenings can lead to the fact that no content can be given to the position and therefore no employment or deployment can follow. The onboarding usually takes 3 weeks.

We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. 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?

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. 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.