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.
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.
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.
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 environments.
- Ability to lead and influence people, build trust and establish effective working relationships within a global organisation.
- Working knowledge of Industrial productivity improvements and monitoring their efficacy.
- Working knowledge of quality system models such as ISO9000 or AS9100.
- Fluent in English language, both written and spoken.
- Desirable:
- Demonstrated ability to lead change in a Manufacturing System with evidence of delivering significant improvements in terms of cost, quality or throughput.
- Project / Program Management Professional Qualification
- Familiarity with AS9145 APQP process or equivalent
- Six Sigma Certification
- Working knowledge of digital systems for manufacturing (PLM, MES, ERP)
- Travel requirements
- Prepared to travel domestically and occasionally internationally dependent on program need. Opportunity for short - medium term deployments to GKN locations or key suppliers.
What we'll offer you
You will bring your passion and expertise, we will offer you a career journey where challenges will become opportunities and where possibilities expand on a global level. GKN Fokker is renowned for pushing the boundaries in our industry and you will contribute to our mission of becoming the aerospace industry's most trusted partner. As a Chief Manufacturing Engineer, you will join a dynamic, international team of experts, benefiting from the tools, the experience and the unwavering commitment to nurturing your technical and personal development.
Here's what awaits you:
- A gross monthly salary tailored to your experience, ranging from € 6933 to € 8914, depending on your experience,
- 8% holiday allowance,
- 42 paid holidays for full-time employment, aligned with the Collective Labor Agreement Metalektro,
- Excellent pension scheme (PME),
- Hybrid work policy,
- Profit sharing scheme,
- Informal & pleasant working environment.
Beyond the tangible perks, we offer a wealth of opportunities to support your career growth through ongoing learning and development initiatives. Join our global family at GKN Fokker, where your journey is bound to be as rewarding as it is meaningful!
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.
