Lead, Composites & Bonding - Onsite Aerospace

Spirit Defense, A Boeing Company; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 71,150 - 109,100; Full time

Job summary

Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. in Wichita, KS, is seeking a senior composite and bonding lead within Spirit Defense to mentor technicians, ensure adherence to aerospace standards, and drive quality improvements. This onsite role requires 5+ years manufacturing and leadership, ability to obtain US security clearance, and experience with aerospace processes. Shifts: 1st or 2nd shift.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of manufacturing or related experience.
• 2+ years of related experience in a leadership and/or management role.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance and Special Program Access (for which the U.S. Government requires U.S. Citizenship)

Responsibilities

• Leads, mentors, and develops composite and bonding technicians, ensuring adherence to company standards, quality requirements, and continuous skills development.
• Oversees compliance with aerospace manufacturing specifications, FAA regulations, customer requirements, and internal quality management systems.
• Reviews and approves manufacturing processes, work instructions, tooling, and production plans to ensure efficient, repeatable, and high-quality composite fabrication and bonding operations.
• Investigates manufacturing defects, nonconformances, and root causes, implementing corrective and preventive actions to improve product quality and reduce rework.
• Drives continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, cost reduction, production efficiency, process optimization, and on-time delivery through Lean manufacturing and best practices.
• Interfaces with engineering, management, suppliers, and customers to meet product requirements and customer acceptance.
• Fabricates detail parts and subassemblies from composite and bonded materials using conventional, numerical control, and special composite/bonding fabrication equipment.
• Performs related functions to provide complete composite/bonding fabrication details and subassemblies

Skills

Leadership

Manufacturing experience

Security clearance eligibility

Education

Associate or Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

SAP

Job description

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.

• Positions available for the 1st or 2nd Shift***
  
  
  

Position Responsibilities:

• Leads, mentors, and develops composite and bonding technicians, ensuring adherence to company standards, quality requirements, and continuous skills development
• Oversees compliance with aerospace manufacturing specifications, FAA regulations, customer requirements, and internal quality management systems
• Reviews and approves manufacturing processes, work instructions, tooling, and production plans to ensure efficient, repeatable, and high-quality composite fabrication and bonding operations
• Investigates manufacturing defects, nonconformances, and root causes, implementing corrective and preventive actions to improve product quality and reduce rework
• Drives continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, cost reduction, production efficiency, process optimization, and on-time delivery through Lean manufacturing and best practices
• Interfaces with engineering, management, suppliers, and customers to meet product requirements and customer acceptance
• Fabricates detail parts and subassemblies from composite and bonded materials using conventional, numerical control, and special composite/bonding fabrication equipment
• Performs related functions to provide complete composite/bonding fabrication details and subassemblies
  
  
  

This position is expected to be 100% onsite. The selected candidate will be required to work onsite at the Wichita, KS location

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):

• 5+ years of manufacturing or related experience
• 2+ years of related experience in a leadership and/or management role
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance and Special Program Access (for which the U.S. Government requires U.S. Citizenship)
  
  
  

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):

• Active U.S. Secret Security Clearance
• 3+ years of related experience in a leadership and/or management role
• Bonding and composites experience
• Aerospace and/or Military background
• Associate or Bachelor’s Degree
• Experience working with multiple cross functional groups (Quality, Assembly, Procurement, Supply Chain, Machining, etc.)
• Experience developing and managing a statement of work on time and within budget
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience using SAP
• Experience working in a union environment with collective bargaining agreements
• Experience monitoring cost
• Experience managing projects
• Experience with strategic planning
• Experience working with New Product Introduction (NPI)
  
  
  

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: $71,150- $109,100

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. An interim and/or final U.S. Secret Clearance Post-Start is required.

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.