Chief Manufacturing Engineer NL

Position: Chief Manufacturing Engineer NL)
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
Be part of our journey as we are seeking a  Chief Manufacturing Engineer to join our dynamic & international team !

Join our  NH90 and Landing Gear   Engineering team  based in Papendrecht, where you'll be responsible for leading the planning, development, commissioning and industrialisation of Manufacturing Systems within the business from LG3 to LG7. This applies to, but is not limited to;
New Product Introductions (NPI), Work Transfers, Technology development and Industrialisation, and addressing critical quality and delivery issues. The CME leads the deployed Manufacturing Engineering (ME) team to deliver manufacturing systems in compliance with identified requirements (Produceability, Productivity, Cost, Schedule, Regulatory/Customer/HSE requirements) and adherence to Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) standards.

Job Responsibilities
Your responsibilities

Bids – [LG0-LG3]  Working closely with the Programme team and Industrial Architects, be accountable for the definition of the Manufacturing System and its associated performance targets. This includes validating the NRC planning associated with the technical ME content of bid, any technology developments required and associated technical risks.

NPI – [LG3-LG7]  The CME is directly responsible for planning, development, and commissioning of the Manufacturing System for New Product Introductions. Working with the Design Chief Engineers (for Design and Build contracts), site teams and Industrial Architects, they are accountable for delivering a Manufacturing System that fulfils all stakeholder requirements (Safety, Logistics, Quality, Produceability & Business case metrics)

Sustaining  – the CME is responsible for the governance and oversight of the Non-Conformance dispositioning effort (MRB-E) through regular review of system KPIs and hands-on involvement. This is to ensure productivity & quality targets are continually met.

Leadership of Projects  - Directly responsible for the non-recurring ME activities within the programmes influence & provides the technical leadership through;
Program Management, Planning, Resource provisioning, Budgeting, & Project EV reporting to Functional and Enterprise standards.

Leadership of Teams  – Accountable to the Program Manager/Director for delivering ME content of tasks through direct Operational Management and Leadership of 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).

Relationships  - Maintain positive, team relationships with internal and external customers, key stakeholders within the business. Foster and champion 5 principles within sphere of influence.

Job Qualifications
What you'll bring

Essential:

Technical expertise in Manufacturing Engineering, with a relevant professional qualification / background (university degree) in engineering (eg. Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical).

Minimum of 8 years of experience in Manufacturing Engineering

Experience of developing Manufacturing Systems for New Product Introduction (NPI) with emphasis on industrialisation through a life cycle gate process (design, implement, start-up and rate production)

Demonstrates leadership skills in terms of awareness and maturity to drive to the right business goals in complex multisite…