Chief Manufacturing Engineer – NPI

GKN Aerospace

Chief Manufacturing Engineer at GKN Aerospace responsible for leading NPI and manufacturing systems. Overseeing technical accountability and team leadership for operational excellence in aviation.

Posted 4/24/2026full-timeLuton • 🇬🇧 United KingdomLeadWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

NPI - the CME is responsible for Planning, Development, Commissioning of the Manufacturing System and Processes for New Product Introductions [LG0->LG7]. Working with the Design Chief Engineers (for Design and Build contracts) and Programme management, they are accountable for delivering a manufacturing system that fulfils all stakeholder requirements (Safety, Logistics, Quality, Produceability & Business case metrics), including development and maturity of Manufacturing processes and documentation.
Sustaining - the CME may lead or support site improvement projects, including shopfloor layout improvements, Value Stream optimisation and process re-engineering efforts. This includes Identification of new technologies and their development & exploitation, and benchmarking of processes across the GKN portfolio of products.
Leadership of Projects- Responsible for technical leadership of industrialisation projects including manufacturing system design, process requirements defintion, implementation and deliver of APQP activities to ensure robust process capability and ongoing performance. This includes Program Management, Planning, Resource provisioning, budgeting, & Project EV reporting within functional and Enterprise standards.
Leadership of Teams – Accountable to the site E&T manager for the delivery for all ME and Industrialisation content through the leadership of the core industrialisation team and the deployed manufacturing engineering team.
Quality – Responsible for Product quality within the NPI ME function. Expected to drive a quality mind-set within the deployed engineering team and ensure compliance to agreed Customer, Regulatory, Business and functional standards including AS9145 (ZDM).
Bids – Working closely with the Programme and Business Development team, be responsible for the industrialisation content of bid work including Technical risk management, cost estimation and implementation planning.
Relationships - Maintain positive, team relationships with internal and external customers, key stakeholders within the business. Foster and champion 5 principles within sphere of influence.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Technical expertise in Manufacturing Engineering, with a relevant professional qualification / background (university degree) in engineering (eg. Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical)
Experience of managing New Product / Process introduction (industrialisation) & existing production process improvements
Ability to influence people, build trust and establish effective working relationships within a global organisation
Familiarity with AS9145 APQP process or equivalent
Working knowledge of LEAN processes and practices
Demonstrable experience in Manufacturing Engineering and/or Demonstrated ability in leadership position with evidence of delivering significant improvements in terms of cost/quality of a manufacturing system.
Working knowledge of quality system models such as ISO9000 or AS9100
Experience of being a primary contributor to Engineering Design Reviews (e.g. PDR, CDR) and Life cycle reviews.
Experience of contributing to technical proposals and manufacturing cost assessment to support new business opportunities

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive salary dependent on experience
The opportunity to earn up to 22.5% bonus and car allowance
Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis
Life Assurance 8 x salary
185 hours holiday + bank holidays
Income protection
Shopping discounts
Cycle To Work Scheme
Employee Assistance Programme
Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family
Free onsite parking
Local gym discount
Free airport parking
Discount with local nursery and preschool childcare setting
Enhanced family friendly leave
A collaborative, dynamic working environment

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Manufacturing EngineeringNew Product IntroductionProcess ImprovementLEAN processesAS9145 APQPISO9000AS9100Engineering Design ReviewsTechnical ProposalsCost Assessment

Soft Skills

LeadershipInfluencingBuilding TrustEstablishing RelationshipsTeam CollaborationCommunicationStakeholder ManagementProblem SolvingProject ManagementResource Provisioning

Certifications

University Degree in Engineering