Plant Engineer - Product & Process

About Us 

GKN Automotive is the market leader in conventional, all-wheel and electrified drive systems 

and solutions. With a comprehensive global footprint, we design, develop, manufacture and 

integrate an extensive range of driveline technologies for over 90% of the world’s car 

manufacturers. 

Role purpose 

With the supervision or support of senior colleagues, design, integrate, or improve 

manufacturing systems or related processes including Floor to Floor (FTF) measurement 

and documentation related to Production Part Approval Process (PPAP). Manage 

implementation of new manufacturing systems in a project management mode. May work 

with commercial or industrial designers to refine product designs to increase producibility 

and decrease costs. 

Key responsibilities 

Process Design Engineering 

Contribute to the analysis of information and the specification of the methods and process 

steps, as well as the plant, machinery, and equipment, required to design and continuously 

improve manufacturing or materials processes and process systems to deliver the end 

product within specified cost and quality parameters. 

Engineering Solutions Design 

Contribute to the design of engineering solutions; design the feasibility testing approach and 

supervise its implementation to support the development and validation of engineering 

solutions. 

Engineering Standards Specification 

Carry out a range of activities under the guidance of more senior colleagues to support the 

drafting of engineering standards and specifications and the evaluation of the effectiveness 

of those standards.

Engineering Inspections 

Carry out inspections under the supervision of senior colleagues to evaluate the quality of 

engineering works and/or the integrity of existing installations or structures, and make 

recommendations to senior colleagues on the remedial works needed to ensure 

conformance with specifications and regulatory requirements. 

Data Collection and Analysis 

Collate and analyze data using preset tools, methods, and formats. Involves working 

independently. 

Improvement/Innovation 

Identify shortcomings in existing processes, systems, and procedures, and use established 

change management programs to address them. 

Project Management 

Work within an established project management plan to achieve specific goals. 

Personal Capability Building 

Develop own capabilities by participating in assessment and development planning activities as well as formal and informal training and coaching; gain or maintain external professional accreditation, where relevant, to improve performance and fulfill personal potential. Maintain an understanding of relevant technology, external regulation, and industry best practices 

through ongoing education, attending conferences, and reading specialist media. 

Contract Management 

Deliver required outcomes by coordinating activities of subcontractors and suppliers and 

acting as a primary point of contact for them while working within an established contract 

management plan. 

Knowledge Management System 

Help others get the most out of knowledge management systems by offering support and 

advice. 

Product and Solution Development 

Carry out a range of product development and engineering activities. Use established 

systems to analyze customer needs and define and deliver products. 

Solutions Analysis 

Interpret data and identify possible answers. Involves navigating a wide variety of processes, 

procedures, and precedents. 

Internal Client Relationship Management 

Build effective working relationships within the internal client organization, delivering high-

quality professional services with guidance from senior colleagues. 

Health, Safety, and Environment 

Follow the organization's health, safety, and environment (HSE) policies, procedures, and 

mandatory instructions to identify and mitigate environmental risks and risks to the well-

being of self and others in the workplace; instruct the team in safe working methods; identify 

instances of risky behaviors within the team and take appropriate action, escalating serious 

issues as appropriate. 

Manufacturing Methods/Processes Development 

Identify shortcomings in existing manufacturing processes, systems, and procedures; 

develop methods and processes to address them. 

Values & Behaviours 

Ingenious: Effective decision making 

Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward. For example, 

knows when to act independently and when to escalate issues. Integrates various inputs, 

decision criteria, and trade-offs to make effective decisions. Typically makes good 

independent decisions. 

Ingenious: Manages complexity 

Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to 

effectively solve problems. For example, looks at complex issues from multiple angles; 

explores issues to uncover underlying issues and root causes; sees the main consequences 

and implications of different options. 

Ingenious: Driving continuous improvement 

Knows the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on 

continuous improvement. For example, uses metrics and benchmarks to monitor accuracy 

and quality. Takes steps to make methods productive and efficient. Promptly and effectively 

addresses process breakdowns. 

Collaborative: Builds relationships 

Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. For 

example, readily involves others to accomplish goals; stays in touch and shares information; 

discourages "us versus them" thinking; shows appreciation for others' ideas and input. 

Principled: Accountability 

Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments. For example, tracks performance 

and strives to remain effective, learning from both successes and failures. Readily takes on 

challenges or difficult tasks and has reputation for delivering on commitments. 

Principled: Communicates effectively 

Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. For example, listens attentively and takes an interest. 

Keeps others well informed; conveys information clearly, concisely, and professionally when 

speaking or writing. 

Driven: Early technical adopter 

Anticipates and adopts innovations in business-building digital and technology applications. 

For example, investigates technologies to learn some cutting-edge best practices. Uses 

digital/social media to benefit the team and add value to the work being done; understands 

how to avoid misuse of these tools. 

Driven: Prioritisation 

Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals. For 

example, outlines clear plans that put actions in a logical sequence; conveys some time 

frames. Aligns own work with relevant workgroups. Takes some steps to reduce bottlenecks 

and speed up the work. 

Skills 

Engineering Technology 

Works with full competence to exploit new and advancing technology to create engineering 

outcomes. Typically works without supervision and may provide technical guidance. 

Engineering Design 

Works with full competence to apply appropriate method, tools, processes and software to 

execute engineering design activities. Typically works without supervision and may provide 

technical guidance. 

Engineering Development 

Works with full competence to apply appropriate method, tools, processes and software to 

achieve engineering development outcomes. Typically works without supervision and may 

provide technical guidance. 

Engineering Specification 

Works with full competence to produce technical engineering specifications and related 

materials. Typically works without supervision and may provide technical guidance. 

Engineering Testing 

Works with full competence to test, evaluate and replan engineering outcomes. Typically 

works without supervision and may provide technical guidance. 

Project Schedule Management 

Works with full competence to identify, sequence, and resource project schedules for timely 

completion. Typically works without supervision and may provide technical guidance. 

Engineering Build 

Works with full competence to build engineering solutions. Typically works without 

supervision and may provide technical guidance. 

Costing and Budgeting 

Works with full competence to systematically estimate, allocate, and control costs in order to manage financial resources effectively. Typically works without supervision and may provide technical guidance. 

Education 

Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Level 

Experience 

Experience enables job holder to deal with the majority of situations and to advise others 

(Over 3 years to 6 years)