Manufacturing Planner (Apprentice program)

Spirit AeroSystems; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 51,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Health savings accounts

Retirement savings plans

Life and disability insurance

Job summary

Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. in Wichita, KS is seeking entry-level Manufacturing Planners for a 2-year structured development program that transitions into a permanent assignment.

You will rotate through planning groups, learn to interpret engineering requirements, prepare work instructions, and coordinate with production teams to support manufacturing readiness. Under guidance from experienced planners, you’ll build foundational skills in maintaining manufacturing plans, resolving planning

Qualifications

• Basic qualifications include interest in manufacturing, ability to learn planning tools, attention to detail, and good communication.
• Preferred qualifications include an associate degree or technical certificate and familiarity with planning systems.

Responsibilities

• Rotate through planning groups to learn products and responsibilities.
• Review drawings and specs to understand manufacturing requirements.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing plans and work instructions.
• Identify tools/materials and support production readiness.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve questions and issues.
• Update planning documents following procedures and training.
• Participate in training and continuous improvement efforts.

Skills

Interest in manufacturing

Attention to detail

Effective communication

Teamwork

Organizational skills

Education

Associate degree or technical certificate

Tools

Spreadsheet basics

Enterprise planning systems

Job description

Overview

This role is at Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company, supporting Spirit’s Commercial Business Units(“Spirit Commercial”). Spirit Commercial designs and builds commercial aerostructures, including for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, one of Boeing’s three business units and the premier manufacturer of commercial jetliners for decades. Spirit Commercial’s core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components, with a focus on innovative composite and aluminum manufacturing solutions.

Boeing-Wichita is seeking entry-level Manufacturing Planners to join a 2-year structured, hands-on development program that will transition into a permanent assignment. The selected candidate will rotate through planning groups to learn how manufacturing plans are developed, maintained, and used to support production. With guidance from experienced planners and other subject matter experts, you’ll build foundational skills in interpreting engineering requirements, preparing work instructions, coordinating with production teams, and resolving planning issues. This role is designed for someone who is curious, organized, and eager to grow into a manufacturing planning career.

Responsibilities

What You’ll Learn and Do:

• Rotate through assigned planning groups to learn different products, processes, and planning responsibilities.
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, and other technical information to understand manufacturing requirements.
• Help develop and maintain manufacturing plans, work instructions, and related documentation.
• Learn how to sequence work, identify required tools and materials, and support production readiness.
• Work with manufacturing, engineering, quality, supply chain, and other teams to address questions and production issues.
• Assist with researching and resolving plan discrepancies, incomplete information, and process concerns.
• Update planning documents and systems accurately, following applicable procedures and requirements.
• Participate in training, coaching, and development activities, and apply feedback to build planning skills.
• Support continuous improvement efforts focused on safety, quality, efficiency, and clear work instructions.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):

• Strong interest in manufacturing, engineering, production planning, or a related field.
• Basic computer skills and willingness to learn company systems and planning tools.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow written procedures.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to organize tasks, manage priorities, and ask questions when requirements are unclear.

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):

• Associate degree, technical certificate, vocational training, or college coursework in manufacturing, engineering technology, industrial technology, or a related area.
• Internship, co-op, military, or work experience in manufacturing, maintenance, production, or a technical environment.
• Experience reading technical documents, drawings, or work instructions.
• Familiarity with spreadsheets, databases, or enterprise planning systems.

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: $50,500 - $76,750

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.