Manufacturing Engineering Manager ToolingJob SummaryEstablished in 1993, GKN Aerospace in Luton is a world leader in commercial and military ice protection systems and transparencies. Offering a full range of capabilities including design, analysis, testing, certification and manufacture of electro‑thermal ice protection, military fast jet canopies and flight deck windows to over 20 programmes such as Boeing 787, Dreamliner, Airbus A320, AgustaWestland, AW101, Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed Martin, F‑22 Raptor. Our Luton site is home to 370+ employees and offers onsite parking, a food hub and vending machines.
Based at our Luton Manufacturing site as the Manufacturing Engineering Manager Tooling you’ll work across both our Defence and Civil business lines. You will provide and lead a team of Tooling and Cad Engineers in the design, manufacture, maintenance and control of all Site Tools.
This role involves the technical capability to create and design tools as solutions to support manufacturing operations. You will be accountable for delivering robust, capable manufacturing process technology as it applies to materials, tooling, part fabrication and assembly. The role involves the creation of significant tooling designs from initial concept through to production for aircraft transparencies and Ice Protection Tooling, jigs and fixtures.
Responsibilities include managing 4 large CNC machines on site, calibration of current tooling, development of new or existing tooling, and supporting Manufacturing Engineering teams as required. The successful candidate will have “hands‑on” experience, be able to prioritise jobs, liaise with suppliers and other departments.
Core operational hours at our Luton site are: 07:30 – 16:30 Monday to Thursday and 07:30 – 12:30 Friday. Flexibility for occasional travel in the UK is required.
Job Responsibilities
Exemplify a safety‑first mindset and ensure compliance with GKN Aerospace Health, Safety and Environmental policies and standards.
Develop and support technical solutions to complex problems within the GKN Aerospace environment, our customers and suppliers by utilizing root cause analysis, preventive and corrective action.
Maintain positive, team relationships with internal and external customers and co‑workers.
Responsible for tool fabrication quotes, tooling design and input for new product quotes, tooling configuration changes that involve cost estimation and schedule coordination, and New Projects Introduction support.
Act as key interface between external tooling suppliers and internal customers such as Program Managers and Engineering Managers.
Manage and maintain Tooling Engineers’ workload, skill and development, ensuring EHS and welfare, and provide appropriate metrics and KPIs.
Lead CNC Engineers and technicians to support production processes on large 5‑axis CNC machines.
Control manufacturing documentation, including costings, BOMs, routings and specifications.
Create, control and maintain master tooling registers for customer and domestically owned tooling suites.
What You’ll BringTo help us make a difference, you’ll bring your passion and talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:
Essential:
Technical expertise in tooling solutions (Engineering) with a professional qualification (BEng, BSc, HNC) or strong background in engineering (Aerospace, Mechanical, or Automotive).
Working knowledge of design‑for‑manufacture principles and tool/component manufacturing methods, able to provide technical input at all levels of work.
Ability to create engineering drawings with an understanding of geometric tolerances and datum features.
Organised and structured approach to tasks.
Experience in tooling for composites and/or transparencies.
Experience in CAD 3D modelling and drafting (Catia V5).
Understanding of inspection/calibration methods and interrogation of results.
Compliance with the Company’s Environmental, Health & Safety and Energy procedures.
Proficiency in English language, both written and spoken.
Additional:
Project Management experience.
Understanding of export control and compliance and security marking requirements.
Knowledge of quality system models such as ISO9000, AS9100, or D1‑9000.
Experience of New Product/Process Introduction (Industrialisation) and existing production process improvements.
What We’ll OfferOnce you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:
Competitive salary dependent on experience.
The opportunity to earn up to 15 % bonus.
Industry‑leading pension scheme – we’ll match your contributions up to 8 % on a 1 : 1.5 basis.
Life assurance 8 × salary.
185 hours holiday plus bank holidays.
Income protection.
Shopping discounts.
Cycle‑to‑work scheme.
Employee assistance programme.
Virtual GP clinic for you and immediate family.
Free onsite parking.
Local gym discount.
Free airport parking.
Discount with local nursery and preschool childcare setting.
Enhanced family‑friendly leave.
A collaborative, dynamic working environment.
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