Senior Repair Development Engineer- Arkansas City, KS (On-site)

BARNES; Bristol (CT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Barnes Aerospace MRO in Arkansas City, KS seeks a Senior Repair Development Engineer with DER authority to lead repair development for aftermarket operations. You will drive complex projects, ensure regulatory compliance, and guide cross-functional teams toward on-time execution.

The role emphasizes cost reduction, process improvement, and mentoring junior engineers while collaborating with operations, quality, and supply chain to optimize aerospace repairs.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of aftermarket repair development experience in aerospace/aeroderivative markets.
• FAA DER accreditation or direct experience with FAA DER is highly desired.
• Strong leadership, communication, emotional intelligence and organizational awareness.
• Demonstrated experience with cost reduction and efficiency improvements in manufacturing.
• Experience supporting internal and external audits by regulatory authorities and customers.

Responsibilities

• Own complex repair development activities for new repair products and processes.
• Develops project plans and coordinates stages with customers/OEM.
• Supports quoting new repair and development projects.
• Leads projects to meet quality and on-time-delivery targets.
• Ensures smooth hand-off to operations during low-rate initial production with clear instructions.
• Fosters proactive risk reduction in safety, delivery, and productivity.

Skills

Aerospace repair development

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Cost reduction

Customer relationship mgmt

3D CAD Mastercam

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

Mastercam

ERP systems

Job description

Barnes Aerospace MRO in Arkansas City, KS has an exciting and challenging career opportunity for a Senior Repair Development Engineer ideally with DER authority -this position will provide critical production support and repair development support for the business. The candidate will play an integral role in supporting broader business goals including optimizing aerospace and aeroderivative product executions and profitability, and further developing repair processes for new product introduction. If you are a career-minded, proactive, and collaborative individual with a track-record of results and enjoy working in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Position Summary

The Senior Repair Development Engineer is responsible for the development, validation, and implementation of aerospace component repair solutions to support aftermarket operations. This role leads complex repair development projects, ensures compliance with regulatory and customer requirements, and provides technical leadership across engineering, operations, quality, and supply chain functions. The ideal candidate combines strong hands‑on engineering expertise with deep knowledge of aerospace materials, manufacturing processes, and repair approval pathways.

Core Responsibilities

• Product and process ownership for complex repair development activities on new repair product and processes.
• Develops project plans and coordinates development stages with customers and/or OEM.
• Supports quoting new repair and development projects.
• Leads development projects to achieve Quality and On-Time-Delivery requirements.
• Supports project hand-off to operations and Process Engineering team during low-rate initial production to ensure adequate work instructions.
• Drives a proactive culture that identifies and reduces operational and technical risks, including safety, delivery, and productivity.
• Work collaboratively with the repair team to develop build plans supporting delivery and inventory strategy.
• Create and support continuous improvement environment for repair processes to reduce cost, improve yield, and shorten turnaround time.
• Expertise in RCCA, Kaizen, 6-S activities while actively contributing and executing improvement suggestions.
• Develop and maintain customer relationships with Barnes Aerospace values.
• Serve as a technical authority for repair engineering within the organization.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers and cross‑functional teams.
• Review and approve engineering drawings, work instructions, process specifications, and technical reports.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of aftermarket repair development experience in aerospace and aeroderivative markets.
• Experienced in special processes as related to aerospace MRO: HT, Brazing, Machining, Welding, Coatings, NDT, EDM, etc.
• FAA DER accreditation or experience working directly with FAA DER highly desired.
• Strong competencies in leadership, communication, emotional intelligence, cultural awareness & organizational astuteness.
• Demonstrated experience with cost reduction and efficiency improvement strategies; ability to obtain, analyze and act on financial/costs initiatives.
• Act with integrity and the highest ethical behavior. Excellent interpersonal skills and team player approach.
• Experience supporting internal and external audits, including regulatory authority and customer audits.
• A customer advocate with the skills to develop and nurture long term relationships with senior leadership with key customers.
• Working experience with 3D CAD applications (Mastercam preferred), and business ERP systems.
• Attention to detail and analytical approach is necessary, as well as demonstrated oral ability to present information effectively in group and one-on-one settings.
• Manage multiple repair development projects simultaneously, meeting schedule, cost, and technical objectives.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree Engineering, Material Science, or related field required.

This position may include access to controlled information or technology covered under applicable U.S. export control laws. As such, employment for this job position may be contingent on either verification that an applicant falls under the definition of a "U.S. Person" (which includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and those granted U.S. asylum or refugee status) or Barnes timely obtaining any necessary export license required under federal laws. The employer evaluates such export license situations on a case-by-case basis and may decline to proceed with a job applicant in its sole discretion.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

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For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.