Manufacturing Engineer II - Materials & Processes - Repair Solutions

Manufacturing Engineer II - Materials & Processes - Repair Solutions

Date: Aug 18, 2026

Location: El Cajon, 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 new production 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. Participate in the development of new production methodologies for Thermal Spraying procedures and operations for NPI projects. 

Job Responsibilities

• Provide guidance and deliver solutions for thermal spray process.
• Develop and test parameters for production capability/scalability for NPI projects.
• Utilize in-depth technical knowledge of coating applications to improve and develop production processes. 
• Responsible for the implementation of materials & process methods and solutions, from original concept through to production. 
• Analyse KPI metrics derived from production output from the department
• Deploy these processes with a high degree of process capability utilizing the GKN standard Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) tool suite to demonstrate as such. 
• Responsible for technical support of manufacturing development and integration for production. Resolve issues pertaining to vendor quality.
• Provide specialist knowledge to production activities with the ultimate goal of improving efficiency, product quality and the reduction of non-conforming parts.
• 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

Job Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace, or applicable field) 
- 2+ years of experience in manufacturing environment, preferably aerospace industry.
- 2+ years of experience of thermal spray/coating experience in a manufacturing environment
- Must be a US Citizen or Green Card Holder due to program security clearance requirements and/or SSA requirements.
- This job role requires proficiency in English, both verbal and written, that is sufficient to understand and effectively follow written safety procedures, company policies, work instructions, operations manuals, and more in a manufacturing environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- GKN Experience 
- Aerospace industry experience 
- Aerospace R&D experience 
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

Compensation Range

The compensation range for this position is between $90,000 - $100,000.

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: San Diego