Sr. Manufacturing Engineer, Configuration Control

GKN Aerospace; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

GKN Aerospace is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to deliver zero-defect manufacturing solutions across materials, tooling, fabrication, and assembly. The role emphasizes robust process design and cross-functional collaboration to meet program goals.

Ideal candidates have 6+ years in aerospace manufacturing, experience with Lean/Six Sigma, and scheduling tools, and must be a U.S. Person under ITAR with potential for DoD clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• 6+ years manufacturing engineering experience in aerostructures (composites/metallics).
• Experience with Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing.
• Knowledge of scheduling and planning tools and methodologies.
• Proven success across diverse manufacturing environments.
• U.S. Person under ITAR with potential for DoD clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop technical solutions to complex engineering problems.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Quality, and Production to implement released engineering.
• Apply root cause analysis and corrective actions to prevent non-conformances.
• Lead tooling and production planning from concept through production with high process capability.
• Support product development activities including quotes, tooling estimates, first articles, configuration changes, scheduling, and process definition.
• Lead engineering teams to achieve measurable results aligned with programs and value-stream objectives.
• Maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean principles.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned.

Skills

Manufacturing exp

Six Sigma/Lean

Scheduling

Cross-functional work

US Person ITAR

Aerostructures experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Scheduling tools

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 Senior Manufacturing Engineer supports operational and development programs by delivering zero‑defect manufacturing solutions. The role focuses on robust process design across materials, tooling, fabrication, and assembly.
## Job Responsibilities

• Develop technical solutions to complex engineering problems.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Quality, and Production Operations to implement released engineering.
• Apply root cause analysis and corrective actions to eliminate non‑conformances.
• Lead tooling and production planning from concept through production, ensuring high process capability using GKN’s standard tool suite.
• Support product development activities including quotes, tooling estimates, first articles, configuration changes, scheduling, and process definition.
• Lead engineering teams to achieve measurable results aligned with program and value‑stream objectives.
• Maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean principles.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• 6+ years of manufacturing engineering experience, including work in aerostructures manufacturing with composites and/or metallics.
• Experience with Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing.
• Knowledge of scheduling and planning tools and methodologies.
• Demonstrated success working across diverse manufacturing environments.
• Must be a U.S. Person per ITAR regulations to comply with export compliance requirements, with ability to obtain a Department of Defense security clearance if needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aerostructures (metallics and/or composites).
• Strong continuous improvement mindset with consistent results.
• Proactive, energetic self‑starter who works effectively with minimal supervision.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills with the ability to adapt to different audiences.
• Team‑oriented with mentoring and coaching ability.
• Demonstrated leadership, sound judgment, and effective collaboration skills.

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.