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Spirit Defense - Associate Research NDI Engineer

Wichita, Kansas Job ID 2026-17610 Category Engineering Role Type Onsite Post Date Oct. 02, 2026 Security Clearance Required
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At Boeing, we innovate and collaborate to make the world a better place. We’re committed to fostering an environment for every teammate that’s welcoming, respectful and inclusive, with great opportunity for professional growth. Find your future with us.


This role is at Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company, at Spirit’s Defense Business Unit (“Spirit Defense”). Spirit Defense is an independent supplier to the defense and space marketplace. Through innovative engineering and rapid prototyping excellence, Spirit Defense provides the capabilities, technologies and support customers need to succeed in their missions.

We are seeking a Non-Destructive Inspection Engineer to support commercial and defense research, development, and production applications. In this role, you will work with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and program teams to develop and implement advanced NDI solutions for aerospace structures and components. The ideal candidate will possess broad technical knowledge of NDI methods, with specific expertise in NDI application and theory, and experience applying automation and/or robotics to enable inspection processes.

Position Responsibilities:

  • Apply broad technical knowledge of Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) methods, applications, and underlying theory to aerospace materials, components, and structures.
  • Develop, evaluate, and implement NDI techniques and inspection solutions for  composite,metallic,  and other aerospace materials.
  • Apply knowledge of NDI methods including ultrasonic testing (UT), eddy current testing (ET), radiographic testing (RT), penetrant testing (PT), magnetic particle testing (MT), and other advanced inspection technologies, as applicable.
  • Develop and integrate automated and/or robotic NDI inspection solutions, including multi-axis inspection systems, motion control, sensors, tooling, and data-acquisition systems.
  • Support the programming, integration, testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting of automated NDI equipment and robotic inspection systems.
  • Analyze inspection requirements and determine appropriate NDI methods, equipment, techniques, and automation approaches.
  • Develop and document engineering requirements, inspection concepts, processes, test plans, and technical solutions for NDI applications.
  • Evaluate inspection data and support the development of methods for data acquisition, processing, analysis, and interpretation.
  • Conduct research and trade studies involving emerging NDI technologies, automation, robotics, sensors, inspection methods, and process improvements.
  • Collaborate with Design Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, NDI personnel, suppliers, and other technical organizations to transition NDI technologies from development into production.
  • Support equipment qualification, calibration, verification, and validation activities to ensure inspection systems meet engineering, customer, and regulatory requirements.
  • Review engineering drawings, specifications, material requirements, and manufacturing processes to determine NDI requirements and inspection approaches.
  • Support root-cause investigations and corrective actions involving inspection processes, equipment, materials, and manufacturing conditions.
  • Ensure NDI engineering solutions comply with applicable company procedures, customer requirements, industry standards, and governmental regulations.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited program in Engineering
  • 2+ years of experience applying Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI/NDT) principles, methods, and technologies in an engineering, manufacturing, research, or production environment.
  • Broad technical knowledge of NDI application and theory, including an understanding of inspection physics, capabilities, limitations, defect detection, and data interpretation.
  • Experience with one or more NDI methods such as ultrasonic, eddy current, radiographic, penetrant, magnetic particle, thermography, or other advanced inspection technologies.
  • Experience with automation and/or robotics used to enable NDI inspection, including automated inspection equipment, multi-axis systems, robotic systems, motion control, or integrated inspection platforms.
  • Experience with engineering problem solving, system integration, testing, troubleshooting, and technical documentation.
  • Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, technical requirements, and manufacturing processes.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and technical organizations.
  • Experience utilizing various Microsoft Office Suite applications, such as Office 365 and Microsoft Project, Power Point, Excel, Word, Teams and Visio
  • Ability to obtain a US Security Clearance

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):

  • Experience developing or integrating automated or robotic NDI systems for aerospace manufacturing applications.
  • Experience with automated ultrasonic scanning systems, phased-array ultrasonics, eddy current, or other advanced NDI technologies.
  • Experience with robotic programming, industrial automation, motion-control systems, machine vision, sensors, or automated data-acquisition systems.
  • Experience with Catia V5 
  • Experience developing NDI techniques, procedures, inspection plans, or engineering requirements.
  • Knowledge of NAS 410 and applicable aerospace NDI standards and specifications.
  • NDI Level II or Level III certification, or previous certification, in one or more NDI methods.
  • Experience inspecting or developing inspection processes for aerospace metallic and/or composite structures.
  • Experience transitioning new inspection technologies from research and development into a manufacturing or production environment.
  • Experience with statistical analysis, inspection data analysis, or software used for NDI data acquisition and evaluation.

Union:

This is a union-represented position.

Drug Free Workplace:

We are a Drug Free Workplace where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.

Pay & Benefits:

We strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent.  Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. 

We also provide eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. 

The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. 

Summary Pay Range: $75,550 - $115,850  

Kansas Tax Credit: Join Spirit AeroSystems’ Kansas team and you may be eligible for a $5,000 state of Kansas Aviation tax credit for up to five years. Click here for more information on the tax credit.


Export Control Requirements:

Export Control Requirements: This position must meet export control compliance requirements. To meet export control compliance requirements, a “U.S. Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.15 is required. “U.S. Person” includes U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.


Equal Opportunity Employer

Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

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These programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other conditions, which may differ for employees of certain subsidiaries or business units, or union-represented employees depending on bargaining agreement terms. If this information conflicts with the program documents, the latter shall control. This material is informational only.

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