Aircraft Tool Maker, Bell Wichita FLRAA

Find a- Textron

United States

On-site

USD 65,000 - 90,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

4×10 work week

80 hours PTO

120 hours vacation

Paid holidays

6 weeks parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Health insurance

Employee resource groups

And so much more

Job summary

Bell Textron Inc. in Wichita, KS is seeking an Aircraft Tool Maker to support tooling and fixture work for the FLRAA program. On-site in Wichita, you will ensure precise tooling and smooth production in a high-tech aerospace environment.

The role requires 5+ years of tool-making experience with tools, fixtures, and laser-tracking methods, plus strong attention to detail and collaboration with engineering teams. Excellent safety practices are essential.

Qualifications

High school diploma or GED required.
5+ years tool making experience with hand/power tools and measurement devices.
Experience operating a laser tracker and integrating 3D models.
Strong attention to detail to maintain tight tolerances and quality.
Troubleshoot tool-related production issues and communicate across shifts.

Responsibilities

Create, track and perform airframe fixture inspections.
Repair and upgrade fixtures using hand tools, power tools, NC machines.
Create work aids to assist manufacturing.
Verify tooling with laser-tracking standards.
Troubleshoot production issues via in-process verification of tooling.
Maintain crib inventory and manage tool distribution.
Monitor calibration logs and tool serviceability.
Collaborate with process engineering and tool design on tooling concepts.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Root cause analysis

Communication

Team collaboration

Time management

Computer literacy

Adaptability

Initiative

Safety minded

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Laser tracker

3D models

Job description

Aircraft Tool Maker, Bell Wichita FLRAA(

Job Number:

Description

We’re more than aviation experts, we’re pioneers. We challenge what’s possible. From breaking the sound barrier to advanced tiltrotor systems. Today, Bell is shaping the future of aviation through specialized engineering. And we want you.

We are developing the future of Army Aviation with the Bell Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) part of the US Army’s Future Vertical Lift (FVL) modernization effort.

This position is onsite in Wichita, Kansas.

Aircraft Tool Maker, Bell Wichita FLRAA

Bell Textron is seeking a dedicated Tool Maker to support operations at our cutting-edge Wichita facility, where we’re building the fuselage for the MV-75, the U.S. Army’s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA). This role is essential to ensuring precision tooling and smooth production flow in a high-tech aerospace environment.

What you’ll be doing as an Aircraft Tool Maker:

Create, track and perform airframe fixture period inspections.
Repair and upgrade assembly fixtures by use of power tools, NC (Numerical Controlled) and conventional mill and lathes.
Create work aids to assist manufacturing.
Verify all tooling by using laser tracking standard practices.
Help troubleshoot production issues by doing in process verification of tooling and provide feedback.
Maintain crib inventory and manage tool distribution
Monitor calibration logs and tool serviceability
Collaborate with Process engineering and tool design team for concept of tooling.

Qualifications

What you need to be successful:

High school diploma or GED required
Minimum 5 years’ experience of tool making by use of hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments such as laser trackers etc.
Experience operating a laser tracker and ability to integrate 3D models. Reliability in maintaining tool crib integrity and calibration schedules. Precision and strong attention to detail for maintaining tight tolerances and commitment to quality. Spatial reasoning to visualize tool setups and machine interactions.
Troubleshooting and root cause analysis for tool-related production issues.
Effective communication to relay tool setup details across shifts and departments. Team collaboration to support cross-functional production goals. Customer-focused mindset to support internal stakeholders like assemblers and engineers.
Time management to prioritize tool setups and maintenance under tight schedules.
Basic computer literacy for logging tool data and accessing digital work instructions.
Adaptability to work with evolving tooling technologies and production demands. Initiative and curiosity to learn new tooling techniques and suggest improvements.
Commitment to safety.
Welding certification is a plus.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to stand for extended periods during machining and tool setup activities
Capability to lift and carry tooling components weighing up to 50 lbs safely and repeatedly
Manual dexterity to handle precision instruments, small tools, and intricate setups
Strong visual acuity to read technical drawings and perform accurate inspections
Willingness to perform repetitive motions, including gripping, twisting, and reaching
Comfortable working in a machine shop environment, exposed to noise, lubricants, and metal particulates

NOTE: Bell/Textron Relocation Assistance is NOT available for this role.

What we offer you in return:

Monday-Thursday 4×10 work schedule
80 hours of Personal Time Off (PTO)
120 hours Vacation time
12-13 paid holidays per year
6 weeks parental leave
Tuition reimbursement
Competitive salary
Comprehensive health insurance
Access to more than 11 Employee Resource Groups
And so much more

NOTE: Bell/Textron Relocation Assistance is NOT available for this role.

It’s time to make your mark on the future of aviation. Join us on this mission, and let’s make history together.

We are on a journey to amplify innovation, cultivate purpose and bridge experiences by fostering a culture that is driven by unique perspectives, voices and values.

EEO Statement

Textron is committed to providing Equal Opportunity in Employment, to all applicants and employees regardless of race, color, religion, age, national origin, military status, veteran status, disability, sex (including pregnancy and sexual orientation), genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

ITAR and / or EAR Statement – SELECT ALL 3 values to add full statement to job posting: This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The ITAR/EAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. ‘Green Card Holder’), Political Asylee, or Refugee. Non-U.S. persons selected must meet eligibility requirements for access to export-restricted information.

Recruiting Company: Bell Textron Inc.

Primary Location

: US-Kansas-Wichita

Job Field

: Manufacturing

Schedule

: Full-time

Job Level

: Individual Contributor

Job Type

: Experienced

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