Scientist (Mid-level or Senior)

Spirit AeroSystems; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 87,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Kansas tax credit

Total Rewards package

Job summary

Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. is seeking an experienced chemist/engineer to support Spirit Commercial with analytical labs and manufacturing processes. The role focuses on reducing waste, improving first-time quality, and maintaining analytical instruments.

The candidate will develop test plans, interpret data, and train technicians while adhering to industry and company standards. A U.S. Secret Clearance and citizenship are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or similar; ABET-accredited program for engineering degrees.
• 5+ years of experience in aerospace industry.
• Conversant with analytical instrumentation including Ion Chromatography (IC) and ICP.
• Develop test plans and testing methodology to support program needs and document qualification activities.
• Ability to interpret laboratory data and present findings clearly to leadership.
• Ability to meet customer specifications and manufacturability requirements.
• Strong written and oral communication; capable of independent or team work.
• Must be able to obtain U.S. Secret Security Clearance and U.S. Citizenship.

Responsibilities

• Create and develop innovative solutions to manufacturing issues to reduce waste and improve efficiency and first-time quality.
• Maintain and expand knowledge of analytical instruments; manage preventative maintenance and uptime of lab equipment.
• Develop, update, and maintain test methods; train technicians and ensure compliance with standards.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records of procedures, observations, methods, and results.
• Serve as technical resource for MPE staff and production operations; lead audit preparations.

Skills

Strong communication

Team collaboration

Independent work

Lab instrumentation knowledge

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Tools

Ion Chromatography (IC)

Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP)

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 aluminium manufacturing solutions.

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 aluminium manufacturing solutions.

Responsibilities

Position Responsibilities:

• Create and develop innovative solutions to manufacturing issues and/or processes that reduce waste, reduce rework, and improve efficiency and first-time quality.


• Maintain and increase knowledge of analytical instruments and methods by researching new testing concepts and processes and determine instrument applicability to further improve Spirit production manufacturing processes. Also maintain lab instruments and establish schedules for preventative maintenance to ensure high instrument uptime.


• Develop, update and maintain test methods. Train technicians and ensure their compliance to the methods. Ensure lab is compliant to all applicable company, industry, and regulatory standards.


• Maintain accurate laboratory records for laboratory procedures, observations, methods and final results.


• Serve as a technical and problem-solving resource for M&PE staff and to production operations.


• Lead audit preparations.


• This is an intermediate or experienced position. Work under general supervision and/or independently with no instructions for routine work and under general supervision for special assignments.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or similar. Engineering degrees must be from an ABET accredited program


• 5+ years of experience in relevant aerospace industry


• Conversant with various analytical instrumentation including, but not limited to, Ion Chromatography (IC) and Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP)


• Develop test plans & testing methodology to support program needs, RCCAs, coordinate testing, author test reports for qualification activities, as well as material and process specifications for Spirit AeroSystems


• Ability to independently interpret laboratory data, and present findings to M&PE staff and leadership team in clear, concise fashion


• Ability to interpret & define requirements to meet customer specifications and manufacturability to ensure solutions meet all applicable requirements


• Excellent oral and written communication skills with ability to work independently or on a team


• 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)

• Senior (Level 4): 10+ years of related work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience


• Experience leading a team in a lab setting


• Experience with Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), Dynamic Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), and Glow Discharge Spectrometry (GDS)


• Experience with AS9100 and/or NADCAP

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 - Mid-level (Level 4): $87,250 - $133,750

Summary Pay Range - Senior (Level 4): $114,050 - $174,850

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.

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.