Fabricator - Certified - 1st Shift - Repair Solutions

Lehigh Heavy Forge Corporation; El Cajon (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

GKN Aerospace seeks a Fabricator in the U.S. to perform standard manufacturing tasks in line with work instructions and safety requirements. You will operate hand tools and complete finishing processes while following procedures to meet quality standards.

You will work under a Team Leader, participate inKaizen initiatives, and maintain documentation. Requirements include a high school diploma or GED, 3+ years of manufacturing experience, ability to read blueprints, forklift certification, and US

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Minimum 3 years' manufacturing experience.
• Ability to read blueprints, schematics and diagrams.

Responsibilities

• Identify patterns and determine material removal methods per specs.
• Operate handheld air tools (grinders, sanders, deburring).
• Adhere to SOPs and achieve quality targets on time.
• Finish surfaces via blending and sanding, especially titanium parts.
• Complete and stamp process records; manage maintenance logs.
• Maintain a clean, safe workspace and support Kaizen culture.

Skills

Blueprint reading

English proficiency

Forklift operation

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Forklift certification

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

The Fabricator role is responsible for carrying out the required standard activities of their assigned tasks, in full compliance to the Work Instruction and/or Standard Operating Procedure, and without compromise to their own, and colleagues, safety.

Where required to achieve certified status, the team member will be taught how to undertake their tasks safely, and to a high quality level, through a rigorous Job Instruction process, and will be expected to attain the relevant certification, as measured by the competence matrix and specified in the site's BMS/QMS.

The team member will be fully supported by their Team Leader (TL), who will enable their training, coaching and quickly respond to them if they find any off-standard / quality issues.

They will be expected to actively identify safety concerns (Hazard identification), make problems immediately known to their TL (Pull the Andon), and raise improvement ideas to solve problems (Kaizen).

They will be part of a team that will collectively work on creating a Great Place To Work through a culture of continuous improvement, safe working and open dialogue.

This position is designated as safety-sensitive under Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations and is subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

Job Responsibilities

• Identifies and evaluates patterns. Prior to removal of material determines method to remove material to meet customer specification.
• Knows how to use handheld air powered tools such as grinders, sanders, and deburring tools.
• Demonstrates understanding of following standard operating procedures to acquire desired results in a timely manner while meeting all quality aspects
• Knowledge of surface finishing processes including blending and sanding parts (Experience working with Titanium parts are a plus)
• Responsible for filling out or stamping approval of process related documentation.
• Maintains records associated with periodic maintenance and orders spare/replacement parts as required.
• Maintains a clean work environment (including assigned storage and cleaning duties in full compliance with company standards, customer and government regulations.
• Assists in the development and maintenance of a business culture, which supports the Company's overall business objectives and goals, to include issues that involve "cost, quality, process, schedule and people".
• Ensures the company's commitment to maintain a safe workplace and to protect the environment through the establishment and support of Company policy and adherence to various government regulations.
• Fully complies with the "GKN Aerospace, Inc. Policy Statement on Contracting with the United States Government" in all areas of responsibility involving direct and indirect contracting with the United States Government.
• Performs other duties, tasks and responsibilities as assigned.

Job Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing.
• Must be able to read blue prints, schematics and diagrams.
• Must have the ability to be certified to operate forklift.
• Must be a US Citizen or Green Card Holder due to program security clearance requirements and/or SSA requirements.
• This job role requires proficiency in English, both verbal and written, that is sufficient to understand and effectively follow written safety procedures, company policies, work instructions, operations manuals, and more in a manufacturing environment.
• Reliable and satisfactory attendance is an essential job function of this role and is critical in meeting operations and business needs".

Preferred Qualifications:

• GKN Experience
• Experience working with hazardous materials and/or chemicals.
• The ability to work as a team player as well as independently is required.
• Knowledge and experience in trouble shooting or safety, quality and technical issues with co-workers, quality and engineering functions.
• Must be willing to work in repetitive production environment with concern for meeting cost, quality and schedule requirements.

Compensation Range

The compensation range for this position is between $20.00 - $25.00.

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.