Role Title

 

Lead Engineer

 

Reference

 

GKN000322

 

Location/Department

 

Weston-super-Mare: CPD

 

Number of Posts

 

1

 

Role Description

 

The Lead Engineer is tasked to manage the day-to-day Engineering activities associated with engineering a product to meet our customer requirements by managing the integrated product team.

Knowledge / Experience: The Lead Engineer should have experience of managing engineering projects as defined by the (Deputy) Chief Engineer. They should have demonstrated ability to coordinate and lead multiple disciplined Engineering programmes. Experience in one of the major aerospace engineering disciplines (design, stress, systems, etc) is essential and an awareness of others preferred. Some of this experience will have been gained at a senior level exercising a delegated signatory for check or approval of data prior to release for manufacture. The Lead Engineer should also possess experience of risk assessment, mitigation and reporting methods in order to appropriately mange their projects. Knowledge of the aerospace industry, including key customer operations will be essential and should be supplemented by core communication and customer interface skills. Relevant experience of aerospace computing applications such as Catia V4 & V5, Patran/Nastran and PC applications will be required, including experience of the Microsoft Office suite of software. Principal Accountabilities: Provision of leadership to the engineering teams and management of the technical programme tasks through the harmonisation of the available resource and skills. Ensure effective communication of task requirements within the GKNAES Engineering and Programme teams. Manage the team working in accordance with the GKNAES business process and demonstrate a proactive approach to the continuous improvement and LEAN. To develop and manage engineering to the requirements of the Customer Technical Specification and associated project schedules. The preparation of suitable structured solutions, applying Work Breakdown methodologies through the generation of Statements of Work, gaining appropriate customer approval for the activity where required. To co-ordinate delivery of an auditable compliant engineering product. To provide technical risk assessment and planning. Contribute to the development of the technical capability and capacity, including participation in the personal development planning activities of the team. Carry out technical review of work at key stages and ensure appropriate solutions are being proposed to satisfy customer expectations; these will include Preliminary Design Reviews, Critical Design Reviews, Design Visual Inspections and formal reviews with Customers and Certification Authorities such as EASA. Prepare/approve Engineering Change packages in accordance with Customer/Authority/Company approval requirements. Monitor and maintain personal and company performance objectives. Address performance issues in a timely manner and encourage excellent performance in all aspects of the job. Budget and schedule for their tasking in conjunction with the Chief Engineer and Team Leaders. Principal Interfaces: The Lead Engineer is required to maintain regular interfaces at all levels of Engineering and Operations to ensure technical programme requirements are achieved and approved in accordance with Customer/GKNAES team budget and schedule requirements. Typically these may include: Engineering Leadership and project teams. Operations Manager and Project Control staff. Procurement Manager as applicable. Finance/Commercial Manager and staff. Sales and Marketing organisation. Operation Manager and staff. Nominated customer representatives. Nominated partner and second tier supplier representatives. The interactions with these teams should portray a positive image of the GKNAES Engineering capability and the wider GKNAS organisation. Issues should be dealt with promptly but rationally and without the sacrifice of programme integrity for the sake of customer expediency. Qualifications: A technical degree, HNC or equivalent. Conditions and Characteristics: The programme requirements are frequently prepared against inflexible and tight schedules and will thus often require a personal level of flexibility to support the Company and Customer requirements. The ideal candidate will thus have: Enthusiasm. Strong technical knowledge and governance capability. Ability to recognise and capitalise on opportunities for organic growth. Good people management and leadership skills. Project and task management skills. Flexible approach to external commitments. Customer respect. Good organisational skills (personal and inter-personnel).