Manufacturing Engineer - Product

Manufacturing Engineer - Product

Date: Aug 6, 2026

Location:Papendrecht, NL

Company: GKN Aerospace Careers

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

We are looking for a skilled Manufacturing Engineer to join our team and support both operational and development programs. You will apply your engineering expertise to develop robust manufacturing processes, drive zero-defect execution, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

Job Responsibilities

General

• Demonstrate a safety-first mindset and ensure compliance with GKN Aerospace Health, Safety, and Environmental standards.
• Develop technical solutions to complex problems for GKN Aerospace, customers, and suppliers.
• Provide technical support for manufacturing process development and production integration.
• Apply root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions to eliminate non-conformances.
• Maintain strong, collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement through Lean manufacturing initiatives.

Manufacturing Engineering

• Develop manufacturing process solutions for complex products.
• Lead production planning from concept through full-rate production using GKN Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) tools to achieve high process capability.
• Support product development, first article builds, configuration changes, and define and implement build processes.
• Own end-to-end process responsibility for the assigned manufacturing area.
• Maintain and update all process documentation.
• Oversee tooling, machinery, and material flow within the area.
• Manage gauges and measurement controls to ensure product quality.
• Lead Lean initiatives to improve efficiency and reduce waste.
• Identify and resolve day-to-day process issues.
• Drive improvement actions focused on labor & overhead, scrap reduction, quality, and productivity.
• Support innovation and advanced projects led by the Advanced Manufacturing Engineering team.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical) with at least 3 years of experience in Manufacturing Engineering.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, able to identify technical issues, propose solutions, and apply non-routine analysis.
• Competent in your field, with growing skills across related areas; able to provide technical input and represent the business with customers and suppliers.
• Results-driven, meeting deadlines while continuously seeking process improvements.
• Working knowledge of quality system models such as ISO9000, AS9100, or D1-9000.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.
• Collaboration & Influence
• Familiarity with AS9145 APQP process or equivalent.

Collaboration & Influence

• Active participant in the global technical community, with understanding of interactions across business functions and organizational culture.
• Works independently, supervises others, and applies technical knowledge across multiple disciplines.
• Demonstrates commercial awareness and supports the broader technical community.     
  Teamwork & Leadership

• Builds strong working relationships through teamwork, influence, coaching, and leadership.
• Leads by example and contributes to project planning and knowledge sharing.

Desirable

• Experience in Project or Program Management.
• Familiarity with AS9145 APQP process or equivalent.

What's in it for you?

We are committed to offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities, a career that can go in many directions thanks to our breadth of international opportunities. By being part of GKN Fokker Aerospace that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry, you will know that you will be working towards being the most trusted partner in the aerospace industry. 

Furthermore, we will offer you:

• A gross monthly salary up to € 5.561 - depending on your work experience,
• 8% holiday allowance,
• 40 holidays for full-time employment in line with the Collective Labor Agreement Metalektro,
• An excellent pension scheme (PME) and travel allowance,
• Onsite work environment with occasional hybrid model,
• A pleasant and informal working environment, in which we work together to achieve the best result for our customers.
• Next to a competitive package, we will offer you a world of opportunities: we want to see your career fly! We will support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities. That's the beauty of being part of a global business, once you're on board you never know where your career journey may take you!

How To Apply?

Apply online by sending us your CV. Due to data privacy reasons we do not handle any applications sent by email. For additional questions you can contact Koen van Stigt, Talent Acquisition Specialist, via View email address on careers.gknaerospace.com.

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.​
​