NPI Project Lead

GKN Aerospace; Papendrecht; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8% holiday allowance

42 paid holidays (29 + 13 ADV)

Pension PME

Travel allowance

Profit sharing

Pleasant and informal working env.

Job summary

GKN Aerospace zoekt een NPI Project Lead NH90 in Nederland om portfolio’s engineering- en change-initiatieven te leiden vanaf initiatie tot oplevering. Je werkt met NHIndustries, internationale partners en eindgebruikers en stemt eisen, planning en kosten af.

De rol vraagt ownership, proactieve aanpak en sterke communicatie om voorspelbare levering en klanttevredenheid te garanderen. Je werkt in een internationale omgeving bij een wereldwijde aerospace speler.

Qualifications

• Essentiële: HBO/WO graad in luchtvaart-, werktuigbouw-, industriële engineering of gerelateerd vakgebied.
• Project- of Program Management-kwalificatie of certificering.
• Ervaring met projecten in een technische omgeving.
• Ervaring met het ontwikkelen van projectplannen, schema's en budgetten.
• Goede stakeholdermanagement en communicatievaardigheden.
• Commerciële bewustzijn gecombineerd met technische inschatting.
• Proactieve werker met focus op levering en ownership.
• Ervaring in een complexe productie- of high-tech-omgeving.

Responsibilities

• Beheer NH90 engineering- en product-change programma’s van initiatie tot oplevering.
• Ontwikkel en onderhoud realistische projectplannen, schema's en budgets.
• Signaleren van risico’s en bijsturen waar nodig.
• Leid multidisciplinaire teams: Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain en Customer Support.
• Fungeer als primair aanspreekpunt tussen GKN Fokker Aerospace, NHIndustries en klanten.
• Zorg voor voorspelbare performance via planning, governance en afstemming.
• Ondersteun business-case en continuous improvement-initiatieven.
• Beheer risico’s, issues en kansen gedurende de lifecycle.
• Spreek namens de klant en lever excellente service.

Skills

Project/Program management

Stakeholder management

Communicatie

Delivery focus

Ownership

Education

HBO/WO degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Industrial/Business Engineering or related field

Job description

GKN Aerospace is ‘s werelds meest toonaangevende leverancier binnen de vliegtuigindustrie. Met 32 productielocaties in 12 landen bedienen we meer dan 90% van ‘s werelds vliegtuig- en motorfabrikanten en een omzet behaald van £3.6 miljard in 2025. Wij ontwerpen en produceren innovatieve slimme ruimtevaartsystemen en componenten. Elke keer dat je per vliegtuig reist, is het waarschijnlijk dat GKN je op weg helpt.
We zijn op zoek naar mensen die een verschil willen maken, getalenteerde medewerkers met de vaardigheden en passies om het beste te worden in wat ze doen.

Job Summary

As NPI Project Lead NH90, you will be responsible for managing a portfolio of engineering and product change initiatives throughout the entire project lifecycle. You will lead the execution of customer requirements while ensuring delivery against agreed scope, schedule, budget and quality targets.
What makes this role unique is that GKN Fokker Aerospace acts as an OEM partner. This means you will not only work closely with internal engineering, manufacturing and support teams, but also engage directly with international partners, military customers and end-users.
Success in this role is not about diving into every technical detail. Instead, it is about bringing people together, setting clear priorities, maintaining predictable program execution and delivering excellent service to the customer.

Job Responsibilities

• Manage NH90 engineering and product change programs from initiation through implementation and delivery.
• Develop and maintain realistic project plans, schedules and budgets.
• Monitor progress, identify risks early and proactively steer programs back on track when required.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Customer Support.
• Act as the primary interface between GKN Fokker Aerospace, NHIndustries partners and customers.
• Drive predictable program performance through strong planning, governance and stakeholder alignment.
• Support business case development and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure effective risk, issue and opportunity management throughout the project lifecycle.
• Represent the voice of the customer and continuously strive to deliver best-in‑class service.
• Responsible for updating Sales / Demand Plan and initiating demand management for serial purchase orders.
• Responsible for undertaking any other activity required to ensure successful delivery of the program.

Job Qualifications

We are looking for an ambitious and entrepreneurial NPI Lead with a proactive mindset and strong ownership. While the team contains many experienced professionals, this role also offers an excellent opportunity for someone earlier in their program management career who is ready to take the next step.

Essential

• HBO or WO degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Business Engineering or a related field.
• Project or Program Management qualification or certification.
• Experience managing projects in a technical environment.
• Experience developing project plans, schedules and budgets.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Commercial awareness combined with technical understanding.
• Ability to work proactively and maintain focus on delivery.Strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Experience within a complex manufacturing or high-tech environment.

Preferred

• Experience within aerospace, defence or other highly regulated industries.
• Knowledge of engineering change management processes.
• Experience working with international customers and partners.
• Understanding of product development and industrialisation processes.

Who You Are

You are someone who naturally takes ownership, builds relationships easily and enjoys working in a complex international environment. You are proactive, persistent and capable of balancing technical discussions with commercial considerations.
Most importantly, you know how to keep overview, create structure and ensure that commitments are delivered predictably and professionally.

What's in it for you?

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.

• The role is in Grade M according to the CLA Metalektro;
• 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;
• Profit sharing scheme;
• A pleasant and informal working environment, in which we work together to achieve the best result for our customers.

Next to the attractive package, we will offer you a world of opportunities: we want to see your career fly! We will support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities.

Diversity Inclusion and Belonging (DIB)

As a global engineering company, innovation is what differentiates us from our competitors and is central to our success.

A balance of cultures, ethnicities and genders help bring new ideas and creativity to GKN. We need people of different backgrounds, with different skills and perspectives to spark originality, imagination and creativeness in our teams around the world.

GKN is an equal opportunity employer.

We treat all our employees and applicants fairly and are committed to ensuring that there is no discrimination or harassment against any employee or qualified applicant on the grounds of age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.