Design for Manufacturing (DfM) Engineer

GKN Aerospace; Trollhättans kommun; On-site; SEK 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

GKN Aerospace is seeking a senior DfM Engineer to enhance their Manufacturing Engineering Design capability. The role involves leading manufacturing engineering activities in demonstrator projects and early product development, focusing on Design for Manufacturing (DfM) and Zero Defect principles.

Candidates should have a degree in Manufacturing or Mechanical Engineering and extensive experience in manufacturing engineering. This is a permanent position based in Sweden, Västra Götalands län, Trollhättans kommun.

Apply before September 1, 2026, to join a diverse and inclusive company.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in Manufacturing Engineering within product development environments.
• Strong knowledge of DfM, DFMEA/PFMEA, and Zero Defect principles.
• Experience working in cross‑functional and global engineering organizations.

Responsibilities

• Lead Manufacturing Engineering activities in demonstrator and product development projects.
• Drive Design for Manufacturing (DfM) and Zero Defect implementation.
• Ensure design robustness against manufacturing and assembly variation.

Skills

Design for Manufacturing (DfM)

DFMEA/PFMEA

Manufacturing Engineering

Strong communication skills

Understanding of production processes

Education

University degree in Manufacturing Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Job Summary

We are looking for a senior DfM Engineer to strengthen our Manufacturing Engineering Design capability and lead Manufacturing Engineering activities in demonstrator projects, early product development, and future product programs. The role is part of ME Design within the Engineering organization, operating at the interface between product design and industrialization. You will drive Design for Manufacturing (DfM) and Zero Defect principles from the earliest design phases, ensuring robust, manufacturable, and industrialisation‑ready product solutions. You will work closely with Design, Technology, and Product Areas (Operations) and be accountable for design requirements across the product lifecycle, focusing on early phases.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate Manufacturing Engineering activities in demonstrator and product development projects.
• Drive Design for Manufacturing (DfM) and Zero Defect implementation within the Design System.
• Ensure the design is robust against manufacturing and assembly variation (Design for Robustness – DfR) as part of the manufacturability property.
• Work closely with Product Areas to integrate manufacturing aspects into product architecture, requirements, tolerances, and material selection.
• Lead early manufacturability and robustness assessments (DfM reviews, DFMEA/PFMEA, tolerance and variation analysis).
• Define and secure production prerequisites, process concepts, and manufacturing assumptions prior to design freeze points.
• Ensure alignment with Product Area industrial structures, process capabilities, and industrial strategy.
• Act as the primary ME interface towards Design, Technology, Quality, and Product Areas during LCG 1-4.
• Ensure a complete and robust handover to industrialisation / NPI programs at LCG 4.
• Maintain ownership of manufacturing requirements and design intent across the full product lifecycle (LCG 1-9).
• Contribute to continuous improvement of DfM standards, methods, and best practices.

Scope of Work Across Life Cycle Gates

• LCG 1-2: Influence product concepts through early DfM principles, process capability understanding, and risk identification.
• LCG 3: Secure robust design maturity, validated manufacturability, and defined process concepts prior to design freeze.
• LCG 4: Ensure a complete and Zero Defect aligned handover to industrialisation (NPI).
• LCG 5-9: Retain responsibility for manufacturing requirements, design intent, and Zero Defect alignment throughout the product lifecycle.

Job Qualifications & Personal Skills

• University degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent.
• Extensive experience in Manufacturing Engineering within product development environments.
• Strong knowledge of DfM, DFMEA/PFMEA, and Zero Defect principles.
• Experience from early product development, demonstrator programs, and NPI / industrialisation.
• Solid understanding of production processes, process capability, and tolerance management.
• Experience working in cross‑functional and global engineering organisations.
• Ability to lead without formal line authority and influence design decisions.
• Strong communication skills in English; Swedish is beneficial.

Personal Attributes

• Structured, analytical, and proactive mindset.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills.
• Ability to balance technical depth with system‑level thinking.
• Comfortable challenging assumptions and driving fact‑based decisions.
• Passion for quality, robustness, and continuous improvement.

Application

Form of employment: Permanent

Last date for application: 2026-09-01.

Contact: Head of ME, Per-Anders Atterklev, [e-mail].

Everyone is welcome to apply. We are committed to diversity, inclusion and accessibility.