Engineering Functional Team Lead

Manager 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 The Functional Team Lead is responsible to lead a team (or teams) of an engineering function in order to deliver the assigned engineering project or functional objectives on schedule, within budget, and to the defined technical requirements. A Functional Team Lead may also be used in a project specific role to guide/direct programme functional team(s) where a programme has more than one team (typically working on separate work packages) of a specific function in order to ensure consistent approaches and methods for the function are used across the programme. A Functional Team Lead is a permanent role within the standard organisational structure and manages a team of engineers functionally and operationally. The role is accountable for the performance of the team(s) under their control and specifically to deliver all programme engineering design objectives on schedule, within budget, and to the defined technical requirements. They also oversee and monitor functional activities within the programme/team; Accountable for Monthly sprint deliverables. They are also expected to provide specialized technical knowledge and expertise in support of the programme. A Functional Team Lead reports hierarchically and functionally to the respective Head of Function (if leading guiding/directing multiple functional teams) or to the OE Engineering Team Leader. Job Responsibilities Lead functional team(s) to deliver the assigned tasks to achieve the programme/project objectives through planning, work tasking, and execution of required engineering activities. Provide technical functional oversight for engineering design solutions, ensuring compliance with all relevant customer, regulatory, and airworthiness requirements, within agreed program, schedule, and manufacturing constraints. Develop and implement methods plans, toolsets and solutions that are appropriate and compliant to achieve the design and programme/project objectives. Provide functional review of generated bids and proposals within assigned programmes/projects. Assess, manage, and mitigate overall technical risk within assigned programmes. Mentor KPI/TIP specific to site level targets Implement training and capability strategies to manage training, mentoring, and development of engineers within assigned programmes/projects including global roles Support technical and customer discussions and reviews, including formal gate reviews, the creation and preparation of technical data and presentations. Support OPP/TE planning and implementations Implement a lean continuous improvement culture and strategy within the programme/project team(s). Establish and implement knowledge management strategies for the programme/project team(s). Manage the overall performance, engagement, and capability development of the programme/project team through the management of performance development plans, training, mentoring, coaching and other initiatives. Provide key performance indicators for programme activities to drive continuous improvement and provide updates / reports, and standard measures to the senior management team, as required. Create a positive workplace environment within the Dept. through regular meetings, engagement & coaching. Achieve set targets for Engageme/Pulse Job Qualifications General: Must possess a high level of engineering functional knowledge and awareness of other disciplines in order to successfully manage/guide the project/programme technical team. Must possess an awareness of business expertise especially in the Aerospace/Aero-engine industry and in the product area the project/programme is responsible for (eg. Aero engines, Aero-structures etc.). Must possess a high level of leadership ability as the role is accountable for the competing parameters of technical quality (Safety/Airworthiness) as well as project schedule and cost adherence for the technical activities. Must possess a high level of problem solving skills to successfully manage the technical direction of the projects. The role requires a high level of interpersonal skills – see below for details of skills and personal attributes required. Essential: Bachelor or Master Degree in (Aerospace) Engineering or equivalent working and thinking Level gained through experience. At least 15+ years of relevant experience gained within an engineering discipline, ideally within an aerospace environment and in multi-disciplinary engineering project teams (Design, Aero, Thermal, Analysis, and Manufacturing). Have a strong technical background and knowledge within the functional discipline. Possess project management, planning and organising skills based on recognised project management methods. Able to define challenging objectives and achieve them. Relationship building at various engineering levels/ across other dept. Able to work with other functions as required to achieve engineering objectives. Has excellent judgement in considering when escalation is appropriate. Responsible for Quality, Delivery, Tools and Processes as per defined KPI’s. Responsible for the teams Health and Safety including Export Control and confidentiality. PDP and appraisals (As Direct manager). Direct point of Contact for Swedish managers and act as an extended arm in developing and implementing global strategies in the India operation. Build a high performing team by developing technical- and leadership skills as per the Technical Excellence Policy. Undertake strategic recruitment and secure a balanced mix between permanent employees and consultants. Member of the OE management team and contribute to the GAI strategy and budget. Part of the deployment loop (TM1) and act as point of escalation, prioritizing engineering requirements within the team (cross functional). Create robust succession plans that provide strength and depth in to the team Build one GAI and one Engine Systems based on the GKN Code and Values. Responsible to develop new cross functional offerings and ‘sell’ these to Sweden. Proficient with applying Lean or other continuous improvement including knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma and Kaizen methodologies. Demonstrable experience of managing a multi-functional engineering team including quality, engineering and CI. Responsible for Quality and effective implementation of QMS within the department 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. ​ ​ Experience Level Senior Level