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ME Programme Leader

GKN Aerospace

Papendrecht
Full-time
10+ years experience
On-site

€6,350 per month

Key Skills

Aerospace manufacturing engineering
Project management
Technical risk management
Stakeholder management
Landing gear systems
Quality assurance
Manufacturing engineering
Problem solving
Technical leadership
Cross-functional collaboration
Data analysis
Reporting
Process improvement
Engineering design
Supply chain coordination

Job Description

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 an ME Programme Lead to join the Manufacturing Engineering department of Fokker Landing Gear in Papendrecht.
As an ME Programme Lead, you are a member of the wider Manufacturing Engineering team focusing on delivering products meeting our customer’s requirements and quality standards. Your main goal will be to ensure the delivery of MRB deliverables (MPS, FAI, L1 Requests for Assistance, L2 non-conformance disposition, non-conformance advanced information, etc.) relating to respective customer products within your scope. In this process, you are leading approvals and engineers assigned to the MRB tasks.

Fokker Landing Gear

Fokker Landing Gear, part of GKN Fokker, is a recognized specialist in landing gear and related systems. We focus on the design and development, production and assembly of complete landing gears, as well as the repair and reassembly of systems already in use. In doing so, we work on the most famous aircraft and helicopters; think of the Apache combat helicopter, the F-35 Lightning II (JSF), the Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 and the multipurpose NH90 maritime combat helicopter.

What you'll do

•    Deliver of the ME Programme Lead Deliverables (L1, L2, MPS, FAI, NCAI) relating to respective customer products that are within the scope of the candidate,
•    Ensure that the applicable Requirements (including technical quality) against agreed delivery schedules are met,
•    Ensure that the quality of ME Programme Deliverables and procedures are adhered to and, if needed, seek support from technical authorities for advice,
•    Support the Leader/Head of Manufacturing Engineering in the Execution of technical Risk Management by identifying Technical Risks and determining associated Mitigation Actions,
•    Directly prioritize the End-to-end Engineering of Manufacturing Engineering and Design Engineering scope of all ME Programme activities, including ME & DE assigned staff (e.g. approvers and engineers), after agreeing with their respective functional leads in case of conflicts,
•    Interface with customer technical teams where needed for reporting and support, and with customer design teams for BTP content of MRB activities,
•    Attend respective Product (IPT) team and operations meetings and agree on priorities,
•    Define what is to be done, set ME Programme priorities and targets supported by KPIs – priorities flow from IPT meetings,
•    Cooperate and seek support by Landing Gear technical experts,
•    Closely work with functional leaders who support, lead & resolve resource conflicts (point of escalation),
•    Communicate effectively with the (Programme) Team and with Stakeholders outside the Team,
•    Act as Link to other departments, such as Operations and Procurement to provide General Support and to achieve business’ objectives.

What you'll bring

•    BSc or higher in Aerospace Engineering or equivalent working and thinking level gained by experience,
•    10+ years’ experience in aerospace manufacturing engineering and in managing (complex) engineering situations under high delivery pressure,
•    Experience in working cross-functionally (Design Engineering, Quality, Operations/Production, Sales/Customer relationship management, Supplier Management and Development),
•    Proven record in managing complex projects & ability to rationalise, assess and evaluation immature information / ambiguity,
•    Good level of engineering functional knowledge (Technical Excellence Framework level 3 or higher),
•    Experience in the manufacturing of landing gear systems or high precision-high hardness metal processing in order to technically support the whole IPT in achieving the overall business objectives,
•    Project management expertise or experience as a technical project lead,
•    Problem solving skills in both technical and program management level,
•    Business savviness, honed interpersonal skills, stakeholder management (with technical community and associated interfaces),
•    Ability to judge when an escalation is appropriate,
•    Delivery focused, driven, persuasive and committed,
•    Ability to clearly present data, reports and presentations for facilitating decision making across different business levels,
•    Experience in working with multicultural, multidisciplinary teams,
•    Fluency in English,
•    Residence in the vicinity of Papendrecht or willing to relocate,
•    Willingness to work on-site on a full-time basis.

What we'll offer

A challenging position in an innovative and international environment with a rich history in aircraft manufacturing. Our organization breathes passion for engineering and all our teams are justifiably proud of what they develop and build.

As an MRB Lead, you will receive a fantastic range of benefits, including:
•    A gross salary up to 6.350,- per month, based on the CAO Metalektro (salary scale L1) and depending on your experience and qualifications. 
•    42 paid holidays for full-time employment.
•    Working conditions according to the CAO Metalektro, including an excellent pension scheme and  travel allowance.
•    A working environment, in which we work together to achieve the best result  for our customers.
•    Every opportunity to build on your career and personal development.

Extra Info

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 Glenn Duggert, Talent Acquisition, via [email protected].

Part of the selection procedure is carrying out the necessary checks and screenings in order to meet the requirements set by GKN Fokker's customers, partners and suppliers within the program. The checks and screenings will be assessed on the basis of frameworks set by our Export Compliance & Security department. Every employee within GKN Fokker must ultimately be authorized to give substance to his or her position. Assessment of checks and screenings can lead to the fact that no content can be given to the position and therefore no employment or deployment can follow. The onboarding at Fokker usually takes 3-4 weeks.

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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Core Responsibilities

The ME Programme Lead is responsible for delivering MRB deliverables and ensuring technical quality standards are met for customer products. They will prioritize engineering tasks, manage technical risks, and act as a primary interface between the manufacturing engineering team and other departments.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a BSc or higher in Aerospace Engineering and possess over 10 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing. Strong project management skills, technical expertise in landing gear systems, and the ability to work on-site in Papendrecht are required.

Benefits

  • 42 Paid holidays
  • Pension scheme
  • Travel allowance
  • Career development opportunities
  • Personal development training

About GKN Aerospace

Industry: Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing

Company size: 10,001+ employees

GKN Aerospace is the world’s leading multi-technology tier 1 aerospace supplier, with a mission to be the most trusted and sustainable partner in the sky. As a global company serving the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers, GKN Aerospace designs, manufactures and delivers an extensive range of advanced aerospace systems, components and technologies – for use in commercial and defense aircraft ranging from helicopters, business jets, passenger planes and advanced air mobility vehicles to the most advanced fighter aircraft. In line with its mission, GKN Aerospace is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Lightweight composites, additive manufacturing, electrical wiring interconnection systems and innovative engine systems help to reduce emissions and weight on today’s aircraft, while it collaborates with global partners to accelerate the development of zero-emission aircraft technologies, including hydrogen-powered propulsion and all-electric flight. GKN Aerospace is market leading in aerostructures and engine systems, with 16,000 employees across its 36 manufacturing locations in 12 countries.

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