Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Date: Sep 3, 2025

Location:Tallassee, AL, 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.

Manufacturing Engineering Manager – Technical Leadership in Aerospace

📍 Tallassee, AL| 💼 Full-Time | 🛠️ Engineering Leadership | 🚚 Relocation Assistance Available

Are you a hands-on leader who thrives on solving complex problems and building high-performing teams? We’re looking for a Manufacturing Engineering Managerto lead our technical efforts in support of aerospace programs at our Tallassee, Alabamasite.

In this role, you’ll guide a team of talented engineers, drive process excellence, and ensure our manufacturing systems meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and performance. You’ll be the go-to technical voice for Manufacturing Engineering both internally and with customers and suppliers.

What You'll Do

• Lead and mentor a team of Manufacturing Engineers supporting key aerospace programs.
• Represent Manufacturing Engineering in program reviews, technical discussions, and customer meetings.
• Deliver manufacturing systems that meet stakeholder needs, balancing safety, quality, cost, and delivery.
• Develop solutions to complex technical challenges and drive continuous improvement across the value stream.
• Champion a Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM)mindset and build a culture of process control.
• Oversee tooling and production planning from concept through launch, ensuring high process capability.
• Support new product development, quoting, configuration changes, and first article builds.
• Collaborate across departments to align engineering efforts with program and operational goals.
• Drive Lean initiatives and help shape the future of our engineering standards and training.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Manufacturing Engineering (Master’s or MBA preferred).
• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing, ideally in aerospace and composites.
• Proven experience as a technical lead or authority in Manufacturing Engineering.
• Strong understanding of industry standards (AS9100, ISO9001, NADCAP, etc.).
• Familiarity with systems like SIOP, MES, MRB, QMS, and production planning tools.
• U.S. Person status per ITAR/EAR regulations.

What Helps You Stand Out

• Experience working with OEMs like Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, or Bell.
• Background in APQP, new product launches, and cost estimation.
• Experience managing direct reports and leading cross-functional teams.
• Lean or Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher preferred).
• Extensive hands-on experience in composite manufacturing.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to lead in a matrixed environment and influence without direct authority.

🏡 Relocating? We Can Help.

This role is based in Tallassee, AL, with relocation assistance available. Nearby communities like Redland, Wetumpka, Pike Road, and Blue Ridgeoffer a variety of living options—all within commuting distance.

Why Join Us?

• Lead a team shaping the future of aerospace manufacturing.
• Work on cutting-edge programs with global impact.
• Enjoy a collaborative, high-performance culture.
• Competitive salary, great benefits, and room to grow.

🔗 Apply now to lead the next generation of aerospace manufacturing excellence.

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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