Manufacturing Engineer - Surface Treatment

GKN Aerospace; Papendrecht; On-site; EUR 38,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

40 paid holidays

Pension scheme

Travel allowance

Job summary

GKN Aerospace in Papendrecht is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer for Materials & Processes in Surface Treatment. You will drive the development and implementation of honing, grinding, polishing and benchwork processes, ensuring production readiness and high quality.

You’ll apply Lean methods, support manufacturing development, and act as a SME to improve efficiency and surface integrity on critical landing gear components.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in Manufacturing Engineering, aerospace preferred.
• Degree in Mechanical or Materials engineering.
• Fluency in English, written and spoken.
• Experience with surface finishing processes (honing, grinding, polishing, benchwork).

Responsibilities

• Implement materials and process methods from concept to production readiness.
• Maintain process capability using ZDM tools.
• Provide technical support for manufacturing development and production integration.
• Act as SME in precision finishing and bench operations.
• Use root cause analysis to reduce non-conformances.
• Deliver measurable results aligned with goals.

Skills

Surface finishing

Honing

Grinding

Polishing

Benchwork

LEAN processes

Quality systems

English fluency

Education

Mechanical Engineering degree

Materials Engineering degree

Tools

Quality management systems

Job description

Manufacturing Engineer - Surface Treatment

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 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.

The vacancy: Manufacturing Engineer - Materials & Processes

We are looking to strengthen the Manufacturing Engineering team at Fokker Landing Gear, located in Papendrecht, and for this reason, we are looking for a Manufacturing Engineer – Materials & Processes for the Surface Treatment team.

As a Manufacturing Engineer at our multi-technology manufacturing campus in Papendrecht, you will play a critical role in ensuring the efficient and seamless production of landing gear components by focusing on the processes of honing, grinding, polishing and benchwork operations. 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, 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

• Be responsible for the implementation of materials and process methods and solutions, from original concept through to full production readiness, including manual and precision finishing operations such as honing, grinding, polishing, and benchwork.
• Deploy and sustain these processes with a high degree of process capability, utilizing the GKN standard Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) tool suite to demonstrate robust and repeatable performance.
• Provide technical support for manufacturing development and production integration, including hands‑on process definition, optimization, and troubleshooting of honing, grinding, polishing, and benchwork operations. Resolve issues pertaining to internal and vendor quality.
• Act as a subject matter expert in precision finishing and bench operations, supporting production activities with the goal of improving efficiency, product quality, surface integrity, and reducing non‑conforming parts.
• Develop technical solutions to complex problems by exemplifying a safety‑first mind‑set and ensuring compliance with the GKN Aerospace Health, Safety and Environmental policies and standards.
• Hold responsibility for the technical support of manufacturing development and integration for production.
• Utilize root cause analysis, preventative and corrective action to reduce/eliminate non-conformances.
• Deliver measurable, metrics driven results in line with Operational & Program goals.
• 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

• Knowledge and/or practical experience in surface finishing techniques, including honing, grinding, polishing, and benchwork, within a safety‑critical or tightly regulated manufacturing environment (preferably in aerospace); experience in closely related precision material removal or finishing processes is also acceptable.
• 5+ years' experience in Manufacturing Engineering, preferably with some experience in an aerospace manufacturing environment,
• Degree in a related Engineering discipline, such as Mechanical, Material Science.
• Ability to influence people, build trust and establish effective working relationship within a global organization.
• Proactive, flexible and process oriented.
• Working knowledge of LEAN processes and practices.
• Working knowledge of quality system models such as ISO9000, AS9100, or D1-9000.
• Quality driven and strong documentation / reporting skills.
• 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 Senior Manufacturing Engineer, you will receive a fantastic range of benefits, including:

• A gross salary up to 5.715,- per month, based on the CAO Metalektro (salary scale K) and depending on your experience and qualifications.
• 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.

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 Fokker Aerospace.

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN.

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