Job Description

Manufacturing Engineer

Date: Sep 24, 2025

Location:Garden Grove, CA, US

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 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn.in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

Provide Manufacturing Engineering capability to operational and development Programs to enable and deliver zero defect projects utilizing engineering and problem solving skills. Accountable for delivering robust, capable manufacturing process technology as it applies to materials, tooling, part fabrication and assembly. This scope is specific to a work transfer scope within a new facility in Garden Grove, CA.

Job Responsibilities

Product ME functions: 

• Responsible for the development of manufacturing process solutions to complex problems through:
• Accountable for the implementation of production planning, from original concept through to production. Design these processes to a high level of process capability through utilizing the GKN standard Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) tool suite.
• Accountable for product development, first article development, configuration changes, build process definition and implementation.
• Must have experience utilizing AS9102 in manufacturing environment.

Quality Engineering functions:

• Responsible for the creation, maintenance and continuous improvement of Program Quality Plans through:
• Performing root cause analysis, preventative and corrective action to eliminate non-conformances utilizing the GKN standard Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) tool suite.
• Delivering product development, customer quality requirements management and first article development. 
• Performing supplier audits & assessments.
• Must have experience utilizing AS9102 in manufacturing environment.

General functions: 

• Exemplifying a safety-first mind-set and ensuring compliance with the GKN Aerospace Health, Safety and Environmental policies and standards.
• Responsible for the development of technical solutions to complex problems within GKN Aerospace, our customers and suppliers.
• Deliver technical support of manufacturing process development and integration for production.  
• Utilize root cause analysis, preventative and corrective action to reduce/eliminate non-conformances.
• Maintain positive, team relationships with internal and external customers, as well as co-workers
• Continuously improve production processes by implementing Lean initiatives.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in engineering in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or related field of study.    
• 5 (five) years of experience in Manufacturing Engineering, which includes experience with NPI (New Product Introduction), a start-up facility, and/or a work transfer in a manufacturing environment, preferably in Manufacturing Engineering in aerospace.
• Working knowledge of quality system models such as ISO9000, AS9100, or D1-9000.
• Fluent in English language, both written and spoken.
• US Person per US DOD & ITAR regulations to comply with export compliance / site SSA requirements.
• Travel requirements: Able to travel domestically and occasionally internationally; Approximately <5% of year.

Preferred Qualifications

• Project / Program Management
• Familiarity with AS9145 APQP process or equivalent
• Has experience with NPI (New Product Introduction), a start-up facility, and/or a work transfer in a manufacturing environment, preferably in Manufacturing Engineering in aerospace.
• Increasingly able to provide Technical input at all levels of work
• Capable of being a technical representative, representing the business at a customer / supplier meeting
• Identifies and anticipates technical problems and offers solutions
• Drives to complete the job on time and continually searches for better ways of doing things
• Understands situations by analyzing them logically and uses information in a systematic way identifying appropriate course of action for resolution. 
• Ability to apply complex and non-routine analysis
• Participates in activities within a global technical community and understanding of the interface with broader business functions
• Competent member of the technical community with a good understanding of other disciplines
• Acts without supervision in own area whilst able to supervise others. 
• Applies knowledge and skills to a range of activities
• Understands the formal and informal structure of the business
• Provides support to the technical community and show commercial awareness at local level
• Recognizes the culture and climate within the organization
• Sets example through own behavior and attitude. Able to contribute to effective project plans
• Proactive approach demonstrated in team environment to achieve knowledge management
• Explains concepts to a variety of audiences and ensures meaning is understood
• Creates formal networks with key-decision makers internally and externally
• Coaches others to do their jobs better, take on new jobs and sustain their ability to meet the business need
• Carries out Continuing Professional Development (CPD) necessary to ensure competence in areas identified and at the future professional level intended
• Develops new ideas
• For internal candidates, the foundation of the ME Academy must be completed and training initiated to become a Zero Defect Practitioner and 6σ Green Belt. External candidates to demonstrate equivalent capability in problem solving and process control

Compensation Data

Compensation Range: $91,083.00 - $113,853.00

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.​
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Nearest Major Market: Orange County
Nearest Secondary Market: Los Angeles

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