Manufacturing Engineer - Materials & Process

GKN Aerospace; El Cajon (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

GKN Aerospace in California is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer I to ensure development efforts stay on track, initiate engineering tasks, and escalate roadblocks. You will track substantiation activities and report results for qualification testing and process substantiation.

The role focuses on leading thermal spray and related processes, coordinating with thermals spray engineers, and supporting production and development. Strong ownership and communication are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field (required).
• 2-5+ experience within aerospace or highly regulated industries.
• Experience with industry and OEM documentation and test plans.
• A well-organized individual with a high sense of ownership and urgency.
• A strong commitment and detailed eye for quality and accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Initiate, organize, and track substantiation test blades for EB weld, TIG weld, Cleanline, and Thermal Spray processes
• Own thermal spray powder development efforts to find and industrialize new and legacy powder spray parameters in ARBU buildings
• Collate and report powder development progress and setbacks.
• Collate laboratory test results for timely assessment and repeat attempts based on feedback from the thermal spray engineers.
• Keep and maintain well organized notes and tracking documents for consistent and up to date review by the leadership team.
• Keep up with daily management of tasks for immediate reporting of help needed and developing risks
• Aid the process engineers in creating and submitting qualification packets using the results from development efforts
• Assist other members of the engineering team to write and review operation sheets and data cards.
• In some cases, as needed, assist with and oversee development tests, ensuring accuracy and compliance with OEM publications.
• Develop and grow knowledge and expertise in the areas of plasma spray and HVOF processes
• Work closely with existing thermal spray engineering and shop floor personnel to support production and development needs
• Perform other tasks and duties as assigned by engineering management

Skills

Analytical skills

Root cause analysis

Leadership

Communication skills

Technical reporting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

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 Manufacturing Engineer I responsible for ensuring that development efforts are carried out in a timely manner and escalating any roadblocks as soon as they may arise to keep projects on track as much as possible. This individual will be responsible for the tracking and initiating engineering tasks associated with qualification testing and substantiation. This individual will play a critical role in initiating, following and reporting the results of such tasks.

Job Responsibilities

• Initiate, organize, and track substantiation test blades for EB weld, TIG weld, Cleanline, and Thermal Spray processes
• Own thermal spray powder development efforts to find and industrialize new and legacy powder spray parameters in both ARBU buildings
• Collate and report powder development progress and setbacks.
• Collate laboratory test results for timely assessment and repeat attempts based on feedback from the thermal spray engineers.
• Keep and maintain well organized notes and tracking documents for consistent and up to date review by the leadership team.
• Keep up with daily management of tasks for immediate reporting of help needed and developing risks
• Aid the process engineers in creating and submitting qualification packets using the results from development efforts
• Assist other members of the engineering team to write and review operation sheets and data cards.
• In some cases, as needed, assist with and oversee development tests, ensuring accuracy and compliance with OEM publications.
• Develop and grow knowledge and expertise in the areas of plasma spray and HVOF processes
• Work closely with existing thermal spray engineering and shop floor personnel to support production and development needs
• Perform other tasks and duties as assigned by engineering management

Job Qualifications

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field (required)
• 2-5+ experience within aerospace or highly regulated industries
• Experience with industry and OEM documentation and test plans
• A well-organized individual with a high sense of ownership and urgency
• A strong commitment and detailed eye for quality and accuracy

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong analytical and root cause problem-solving skills
• Excellent technical reporting and documentation abilities
• Leadership skills in a cross functional environment
• Strong communication skills with cross-functional teams and external representatives

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

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