Manufacturing Research and Development Manager

Spirit AeroSystems designs and builds aerostructures for both commercial and defense customers. With headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, Spirit operates sites in the U.S., U.K., France and Malaysia. The companys core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components for the worlds premier aircraft. Spirit AeroSystems focuses on affordable, innovative composite and aluminum manufacturing solutions to support customers around the globe.

Role Purpose

• In conjunction with the Head of R&T determine the strategy for MR&D, for the short, medium and long term for the Spirit Europe organisation in consultation with the CTO. To ensure that the strategy is in line with the opportunity to reduce the cost of current Manufacturing and Assembly industrialisation and ensuring enabling technologies are in place that will allow Spirit to win new work packages.
• Build strong collaborations with “like minded” partners to enable lower cost development programmes and quicker returns on investment. To build up Manufacturing and Assembly knowledge both within the site and the greater population within Spirit Europe, ensuring best practice is observed.
• Develop and manage relationships with academic institutions that will provide innovation through lower cost. To lead and manage a team of specialist professional engineers.

MR&D Manager

Prestwick, United Kingdom

Research and Technology Department

This opportunity, based at our Prestwick site offers:

• 37 hour working week (half day Friday)
• Shift premiums up to 33, where applicable
• Overtime at time and a half, where applicable
• 33 days holiday per year, rising with service
• Annual Bonus related to company performance
• Defined contribution pension scheme (default contributions; 4 employee and 8 employer)
• Virtual GP Service 365 days per year
• Employee Assistance Program
• A wide range of flexible benefits
• Death in service payment (default 4 times basic salary)
• Professional development and growth
• Free car parking
• And more!!

• Building the Manufacturing and Assembly industrialisation for Spirit Europe, in conjunction with the R&T Director, Head of R&T and consultation and approval of the Senior Leadership Team.
• In conjunction with the Head of R&T is responsible for the implementation of the agreed business strategy for Manufacturing and Assembly industrialisation. Develop a team of Manufacturing and Assembly specialists both within the discipline and the Quality, ME and Engineering Design and Stress functions.
• Manage the entire short, medium and long term MR&D programmes, ensuring they provide tangible deliverables to cost, quality and schedule.
• Develop and manage strong Industrial assembly bid proposals and lead the team responsible for delivering them both within Spirit Europe and the supply chain.
• Create and build relationships with the material and part supply chain ensuring that bothm perform to the highest standards.
• Managing all aspects of the final Industrialisation required to support full certification of the assembled components.
• To act as the business focal for MR&D both within the company and externally.
• Research all new and innovative industrialisation techniques and solutions to ensure that Spirit is always aware of and involved with the latest technologies where they add to Spirit’s business opportunities.
• Create prospects for new business opportunities by ensuring that cost analysis tools, mature analytical cost models and non-recurring and recurring costs can be easily and accurately determined.
• Managing the development of technical solutions on Manufacturing and Assembly processes enabling reduced cost, robust quality and industrial certainty.
• Managing a team of specialist engineers to complete projects to high quality, ensuring schedule adherence.
• Ensuring technical solution integration in line with product development timescales, technology and business strategy.
• Managing compliance of Spirit Proprietary technologies against Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) and/or Technology Readiness Level (TRL) approaches.
• Liaising with partners, technology providers and customers in the detailed development and collaboration of Manufacturing R&D programmes. ·
• Build and manage relationships within the Academic institutions to ensure that innovative thoughts and solutions enable cost effective means of delivering on future R&D programmes.
• Lead and manage a team of specialist engineers and responsible for all staff-related issues.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Desirable – MSc in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Technology/or relevant experience required
• Strong knowledge and experience in Industrial technologies, ideally in a research and development environment
• Applied know-how in all of the following Industrial disciplines: assembly techniques, best cost analysis, MES systems, human factors, quality inspection processes
• Solid understanding of Industrial requirements and design for manufacture and assembly
• Relevant experience in planning, developing and leading R&D projects/packages of work
• Proven experience in managing a team of engineers and/or technicians to complete project technical scope and schedule adherence
• Relevant background in complex technology integration R&D projects
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills
• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills are essential for this role
• Excellent organisational and planning skills
• Self-driven, professional approach with a “can do” attitude to innovation
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing skills and a team working “ethos”
• Experience in leading a team of professional engineers

Decision Making Authority

• The jobholder shall manage the plan, cost and schedule of the project with minimal input from the Head of R&T, coupled with authority to take it to completion.
• The jobholder shall have the authority for the decision making process surrounding the business case and will have the responsibility to justify it to senior management.
• The jobholder may order equipment, tooling etc to complete the project within the bounds of the agreed budget.
• The jobholder would primarily work independently and receive minimal technical direction from the Head of R&T prior to making final project decisions. It is anticipated however that the jobholder would have a completed a project technical plan that encompasses all the relevant information for the final decision to be given.
• The jobholder would be expected to take authority in ensuring that the relevant inputs to the project are maintained and realised.

Closing Date; Tuesday, 27th May at 12pm

Spirit AeroSystems is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law.