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Spirit Defense - Mid-Level Research and Development Engineer

Wichita, Kansas Job ID 2026-18267 Category Engineering Role Type Onsite Post Date Nov. 03, 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.

Boeing Wichita designs and builds aerostructures for both commercial and defense customers. The Boeing Company operatesin multiple different sites worldwide and Wichita KS is Boeing’s secondlargest site. The company's core products include Boeing 737, 787, 777X to name a few commercial aircraftand Boeing and Spirit Defense, A Boeing Company in Wichita supports many defense world's premier warfighters. Boeing Wichita focuses on affordable, innovative composite and metals manufacturing solutions to support customers around the globe.

Position Responsibilities:

  • Develop manufacturing processes and advanced technologies for aerostructure development and assembly
  • Advance technology and manufacturing readiness levels; Develop concepts through initial configuration, prototyping, risk reduction, verification, and validation.
  • Advice on new product configurations with design-for-manufacturing principles in mind
  • Author and review assembly plans, test plans, test reports and lead Production 3P events
  • Build Plan Development, Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) Assessments, Tooling Methodsand Assembly Processes on Composite and Metallic Structures
  • Develop concepts for industrialization and automation
  • Develop Basis of Estimates for engineering projects for both internal and customer driven programs
  • Provide technical leadership to team of engineers and technicians
  • Independent planning of work activities with intra- and inter-organization collaboration as needed
  • Ability to lead an engineering project with cross-functional collaboration, technical presentations and 
  • Project management; plan and achieve key milestones; manage collaborative research with external suppliers
  • Support documenting and communicating plans and evaluations for future work packages, i.e. bids and proposals
  • Support cross-functional teams in trade studies, industrialization, automationand RCCA

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills and Experience):

  • Ability to obtain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance and Special Program Access (for which the U.S. Government requires U.S. Citizenship)
  • Must have B.S. Engineering (Mechanical, Materials, Aerospace or equivalent ) from an ABET accredited University
  • 5-10 years of engineering work experience in aircraft industry 
  • Subject matter expert with minimum 5 years’ experience in Manufacturing Engineering including working on an ERP system, CAD systems with CATIA suite including tool design, composite part development and manufacturing processes

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):

  • Manufacturing Engineer with Metals and Composites manufacturing knowledge and experience working in a manufacturing environment
  • CATIA V5 experience with Part/Assembly/Wireframe Design, Drafting, Surface Design with an emphasis on composite tooling methods and design 
  • ERP system experience in SAP and GPLM
  • Experience in engineering drawing interpretation with GD&T
  • 10 years engineering work experience in aircraft industry 

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: $98,400 - $150,800

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.

Security Clearance:

This position requires the ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance for which the U.S. Government requires U.S. Citizenship. 

Visa Sponsorship

Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.


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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No matter where you are in life, our benefits help prepare you for the present and the future.

  • Generous company match to your 401(k).
  • Industry-leading tuition assistance program pays your institution directly.
  • Fertility, adoption, and surrogacy benefits.
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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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