Aircraft Fitter - Western Approach

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

Due to a continued growth in business, we are seekingAircraft Fitters to join the team in Western Approach. This site is an International Centre of Excellence in composite wing structure design and production, manufacturing composite wing spars and Fixed Trailing Edge assemblies for some of the world's most popular aircrafts.

The successful applicants will assemble and trim components using conventional and advanced methods. Reporting to the Team Leader at GKN Aerospace, you will be joining a team of 10 where you will work collectively to create a Great Place to Work environment through a culture of continuous improvement and a safe working ambience.

We have 2 shift patterns available:

• 7 day fortnight shift pattern (12 hour day shifts) which includes 28% shift allowance:
  Week 1: Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Week 2: Wednesday, Thursday
• Night shifts Monday to Friday with options for overtime which includes a 33% shift allowance.

If you have experience in a similar manufacturing role, we'd love to hear from you!

What You'll Be Doing

As part of our Fitting team, you will undertake the following work:

• Build-up of sub-assemblies and major assemblies involving metallic and composites, involving the following disciplines:
• Drilling/Reaming/Countersinking
• Installation of Fasteners
• Setting A/C components in calibrated build jigs
• Deburring and under head radius metallic and carbon structures
• Fettling using approved setting tools
• Shimming, Solid & Liquid
• Treatment touching-up in localized areas on aluminium / Carbon
• Using nut runners / wrenches and pre-set torque guns for bolting
• Work with aircraft drawings, limits and quality systems

You will also be able to:

• Help us maintain our 'Great Place To Work' culture by role-modelling a safety-first mind-set, and both receive and give support from/to your colleagues
• Undertake all tasks in compliance with the standard work and your training, and raise any problems immediately to your Team Leader
• Receive training to become certified at the Lean Foundation level and implement at least 1 Kaizen per month
• Support your team and Team Leader in problem solving, contributing ideas based upon own experience of your tasks
• Comply with all legal and regulatory requirements

What You'll Bring

To help us make a difference, you’ll bring your passion, expertise and enthusiasm for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:

Essential

• NVQ Level 2/City & Guilds in Fitting or a recognised fitting indentured apprenticeship OR sufficient relevant experience as an aircraft fitter
• Ability to work to standard operating procedures
• Ability to work as part of a small, close team
• Willingness to undertake a 12-week on the job training self-certification stamp course

Desirable

• Export control understanding and regulatory requirements
• Understanding of lean manufacturing principles and techniques

What We'll Offer

Once you're on board you'll get the following perks and benefits:

• Starting salary of £37,369 for the first 3 months whilst obtaining A stamp. Once certified you will be on a salary of £39,044, plus shift premium totalling £49,976 for day shift or £51,928 for night shift.
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme = well match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis (GKN Contribution up to 12%)
• Life Assurance 8 x salary
• 247.5 hours holiday for days or 187.5 hours holiday for nights + bank holidays
• Income protection
• Shopping discounts
• Cycle To Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment

As well as a competitive package well offer you a world of opportunity. We want to see your career fly! Well support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities. That's the beauty of being part of a global business, once you're on board you never know where you career journey may take you!

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.