Senior Defense Ops Engineering Manager – Onsite in Wichita

Spirit AeroSystems; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 144,000 - 221,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Kansas tax credit program eligibility

Total Rewards package

Job summary

Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita, KS, is seeking a senior manufacturing operations leader to manage and optimize production and engineering functions within Spirit Defense. The role emphasizes strategic factory leadership, resource planning, and cross-functional collaboration with customers and suppliers.

The candidate will drive performance, ensure on-time delivery of quality products, and lead high-level process improvements across multiple teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related 4-year technical degree.
• 10+ years of experience in Manufacturing Operations functions (e.g., Shop Floor Manufacturing Operations, Production/Manufacturing Engineering, Integration & Test Engineering, or Industrial Engineering).
• 10+ years leading various problem-solving methods (Root Cause Analysis, 5 Whys, or other models).
• 5+ years of related management, supervisory, and/or leadership experience.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance and Citizenship.
• Master’s degree in engineering or a related field (preferred).
• Active U.S. Secret Security Clearance and Special Program Access (preferred).
• Experience in aerospace/defense programs (preferred).
• Strong knowledge of mechanical assemblies, manufacturing processes, or standards (preferred).
• Root cause analysis methods (preferred).
• Six Sigma / Lean+ / Manufacturing and/or Process Improvement (preferred).
• Leadership in major business transformation initiatives (preferred).
• Progressive leadership experience with increasing scope (preferred).
• Strategic leadership mindset (preferred).
• Excellent communication skills (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Manage, develop, and motivate employees to achieve high performance.
• Oversee and approve technical approaches, products, and processes.
• Establish, administer processes, policies, and resource plans.
• Oversee and manage budgets of the organization and development projects.
• Understand full life cycle requirements for product development.
• Define factory vision and strategy.
• Work with subordinates to evaluate employee performance plans.
• Interface with customers, suppliers and other organizations to define priorities and resolve roadblocks.
• Apply industrial and manufacturing engineering techniques to optimize production systems.
• Develop and execute departmental plans, policies and procedures, and contribute to strategy.
• Maintain relationships with customers, stakeholders, peers, partners, and direct reports.
• Provide oversight and approval of technical approaches, products and processes.
• Coordinate long-range asset and headcount planning and resource planning.
• Act as subject matter experts for factory/operations metrics and improvements.
• Set operational goals and secure resources for projects.
• Provide technical management of suppliers and drive process improvement.
• Engage with customers, suppliers, stakeholders, and team members.
• Provide inputs for derivatives and future RFPs.
• Interface with leadership and program stakeholders to provide status and resolve issues.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related 4-year technical degree

Master’s degree in engineering (preferred)

Tools

Lean / Six Sigma

Root cause analysis tools

Job description

Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita, KS, is seeking a senior manufacturing operations leader to manage and optimize production and engineering functions within Spirit Defense. The role emphasizes strategic factory leadership, resource planning, and cross-functional collaboration with customers and suppliers.

The candidate will drive performance, ensure on-time delivery of quality products, and lead high-level process improvements across multiple teams.