Job Description

Manufacturing Engineer

Date: Oct 8, 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

We are seeking a Manufacturing Engineer with 3-5 years of experience to join the Sustainment Manufacturing Engineering Team. This role focuses on developing and optimizing manufacturing processes, with a strong emphasis on lamination, metal deposition, coatings of acrylic-based applications. The ideal candidate will be eager to grow in a fast-paced aerospace environment and demonstrate foundational proficiency across core manufacturing engineering competencies.

Job Responsibilities

Process Development & Optimization

• Support implementation of APQP and AS9145 methodologies.
• Assist in developing PFMEAs, control plans, process flow diagrams, and validation protocols.
• Contribute to first article inspection (FAIR) and ensure AS9102 compliance.
• Apply strict clean room protocols and SPC analysis (Cp/Cpk) to critical processes.
• Participate in process optimization for repeatability, efficiency, and defect reduction.

Specialized Process Experience

• Support development and troubleshooting of:

• • Acrylics (bonding, forming, or finishing)
  • Lamination (composite or adhesive-based)
  • Metal deposition (Vacuum Metalizing, thermal spray, plating, or additive processes)
  • Coatings (functional, protective, or aesthetic)

Technical & Quality Support

• Interpret engineering drawings and contribute to tooling design and CAD modeling (Siemens NX preferred).
• Assist in creating and maintaining work instructions and revision control.
• Support MRB/PRB activities and nonconformance disposition.
• Participate in internal/external audits and layered process audits.
• Ensure compliance with AS9100, ISO9001, and site corrective action processes.

Continuous Improvement & Collaboration

• Contribute to Lean projects and capital/tooling implementation.
• Apply root cause analysis tools (DMAIC, 8D, Fishbone, 5-Whys) to resolve issues.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to align stakeholders and support project execution.
• Present technical findings and support project tracking/reporting.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• 3 - 5 years of experience in Manufacturing Engineering, preferably in aerospace or regulated environments.
• Exposure to lamination, metal deposition, coatings, or acrylic-based manufacturing processes.
• Familiarity with APQP, AS9145, PFMEA, SPC, and FAIR documentation.
• Working knowledge of ISO9000, AS9100, or D1-9000 quality systems.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken).
• Must be a U.S. Person per ITAR regulations.
• Willingness to travel domestically and occasionally internationally (<5%).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Teamcenter PLM, ECNs, and CAD tools (Siemens NX preferred).
• Exposure to clean room protocols and MSA techniques.
• Understanding of Design for Manufacturability and Characteristics Matrix.
• Participation in Lean initiatives or Six Sigma training.
• Strong time and priority management skills.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts to diverse audiences.

Compensation Data

Compensation Range: $91,083.00 - $136,624.00

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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