Chief Manufacturing Engineer-Remote

GKN Aerospace•Westlake, TX

4d•$120,000 - $160,000•Remote

About The Position

As part of GKN Aerospace Airframes E&T, the Chief Manufacturing Engineer (CME) leads the development, industrialisation and improvement of Manufacturing Systems and serves as a customer-facing representative of the Manufacturing Engineering function. The role focuses on non-recurring engineering projects, including New Product Introductions (NPI), Transfers of Work, major modifications, technology insertions, and resolution of manufacturing-process quality and delivery challenges with production engineering teams. The CME may lead deployed Manufacturing Engineering resources and ensures projects meet requirements for producibility, productivity, cost, schedule and regulatory compliance, while adhering to Zero Defect Manufacturing standards. This is a remote position with frequent routine and occasional non-routine travel, up to 25–50%, to GKN facilities and suppliers. Locations may include Phoenix, Wichita, Sumner, Chihuahua and Tallassee. Candidates must live within approximately one to two hours of a major international hub airport or near a regional airport with multiple daily flights to major hubs. The CME validates and approves manufacturing-system definitions and performance targets for programme bids, owns the non-recurring engineering cost estimate for Manufacturing Engineering technical content, and delivers manufacturing systems for NPI from programme launch through steady-state production. The role also oversees portfolios of existing manufacturing systems, leads project and team delivery, ensures quality and APQP compliance, and maintains effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional qualification in Engineering, such as Aerospace, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Materials, Electrical, Chemical or a related discipline.
At least 8 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing or a similar highly regulated environment operating under AS9100 Quality Management Systems.
Recent experience developing a manufacturing system for a New Product Introduction, with comprehensive understanding of product lifecycle gate processes.
Broad, hands-on experience with common manufacturing processes, such as machining, forming, welding, composites, assembly and metrology.
Knowledge of structured problem-solving and RCCA methodologies, such as 8D, and how to apply them to complex problems.
Demonstrated ability to organise and drive technical projects to achieve business goals, preferably in complex multi-site environments.
Ability to lead and influence people, build trust, and establish effective working relationships in a global organisation and with external customer stakeholders.
Fluency in written and spoken English.
Must be a US Person for Export Control purposes.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated deployment of the AS9145 APQP process.
Working knowledge of digital manufacturing systems, such as PLM, MES and ERP.
Deep expert knowledge in one or more manufacturing process areas, such as machining, forming, welding, composites, assembly or metrology.
Experience working with or for major aerospace OEMs and their systems.
Proven ability to lead change in a Manufacturing System and deliver significant improvements in cost, quality or throughput.
Proven ability to identify and deliver industrial productivity improvements and monitor their effectiveness using appropriate metrics.
Project or Programme Management Professional Qualification.
Six Sigma Certification.

Responsibilities

Validate and approve proposed manufacturing-system definitions and associated performance targets submitted at LG3 (Programme Launch).
Review bid outputs with the Industrial Architect for technical risks, including process flow, bill of materials, industrial setting, product cost estimates, requirements compliance and technology development needs.
Own the Non-Recurring Engineering cost estimate for Manufacturing Engineering technical content delivery.
Deliver manufacturing systems that meet stakeholder requirements, business-case metrics and performance targets from LG3 through LG7, completing planning, development and commissioning on schedule and on cost.
Govern and oversee a portfolio of manufacturing systems through KPI reviews and Industrial Review assessments, taking corrective action to maintain productivity and quality targets.
Lead delivery of non-recurring Manufacturing Engineering activities within programmes and projects, including planning, estimating, resourcing, budgeting and reporting project performance against internal business standards.
Coordinate and lead deployed Manufacturing Engineering resources, ensuring effective utilisation, day-to-day coordination, recognition, accountability and application of Manufacturing Engineering best practice.
Deliver Zero Defect Manufacturing-capable systems through APQP to AS9145 during NPI and drive compliance with customer, regulatory, business and functional standards.
Maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers and communicate clearly and frequently with business stakeholders.
Foster and champion GKN’s five principles within the role’s sphere of influence.