Spirit Defense – Experienced Quality Inspector

Spirit AeroSystems (A Boeing Company); Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 34,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Spirit AeroSystems (A Boeing Company) – Spirit Defense in Wichita, KS seeks an experienced quality inspector to support defense programs. You will perform Level A inspections, certify for systems functions, and conduct audits across major assembly and composite fabrication. The role requires clearance, U.S.

citizenship, and flexibility to work any shift, including alternate work weeks. You will gain hands-on aerospace manufacturing experience while contributing to mission-critical programs and

Qualifications

• Active U.S. Secret Security Clearance; a clearance active within the past 24 months is considered active.
• U.S. citizenship, as required for the security clearance and program access
• Ability to secure Special Program Access approval
• Willingness and ability to work any shift, including alternative work weeks
• Skills or knowledge in at least one relevant mechanic classification, such as systems/payload structures, assembly, fuselage assembly, underwing composites, metals or process mechanics

Responsibilities

• Perform Level A quality-inspection responsibilities supporting Spirit Defense programs
• Certify for the Systems inspection function
• Perform process and hardware audits and surveillances
• Investigate and document root-cause analysis and corrective action
• Determine and submit test and investigation statements
• Support inspection work across major assembly and composite fabrication
• Apply knowledge from systems/payload structures, fuselage, underwing, composite, metals, process or assembly mechanic classifications
• Assist with training where applicable to assigned job roles
• Perform the functions associated with Level B requirements

Skills

Active clearance

U.S. citizenship

Special Program Access

Shift flexibility

Mechanic classifications

Tools

CATIA V5

Enovia

GD&T

SAP

mERP

Job description

At a glance

Company: Spirit AeroSystems (A Boeing Company) – Spirit Defense
Location: Wichita, KS 67235, USA
Pay: $24.81–$41.27 per hour
Job Type: Full-Time
Shift: Must be willing and able to work any shift, including alternative work weeks
Experience: Experienced quality, composite, assembly or fabrication inspection background preferred
Software: CATIA V5, Enovia, SAP / mERP

Why join Spirit Defense?

Spirit Defense supports the defense and space marketplace with advanced engineering, rapid prototyping, fabrication and major-assembly capabilities. In this role, your inspection work directly supports the quality, compliance and mission readiness of complex aerospace structures. You will work across major assembly and composite fabrication environments, help confirm that processes and hardware meet demanding requirements, and contribute to root-cause investigations and corrective actions.

Spirit AeroSystems is now wholly owned by The Boeing Company, connecting the Wichita operation with one of the world’s most established aerospace organizations. The position is union represented and offers a structured Total Rewards package that may include health insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, retirement savings, life and disability coverage, and paid and unpaid time-away programs, depending on eligibility. It is an opportunity for an experienced inspector or aerospace mechanic to apply hands‑on manufacturing knowledge in a high-accountability defense environment while developing broader inspection capabilities.

What you’ll be doing

• Perform Level A quality-inspection responsibilities supporting Spirit Defense programs
• Certify for the Systems inspection function
• Perform process and hardware audits and surveillances
• Investigate and document root-cause analysis and corrective action
• Determine and submit test and investigation statements
• Support inspection work across major assembly and composite fabrication
• Apply knowledge from systems/payload structures, fuselage, underwing, composite, metals, process or assembly mechanic classifications
• Assist with training where applicable to assigned job roles
• Perform the functions associated with Level B requirements

Inspection tools & software

• Model-based definition tools, primarily CATIA V5 and Enovia
• Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)
• SAP and Military Enterprise Resource Planner (mERP)
• Composite, assembly and fabrication inspection processes
• Process and hardware audit documentation

Workplace highlights

• Defense and space manufacturing environment
• Part of Spirit AeroSystems and The Boeing Company
• Work supporting complex aerospace structures and mission-critical programs
• Cross‑training across major assembly and composite fabrication
• Union‑represented position
• Hourly pay from $24.81 to $41.27 based on experience and the collective bargaining agreement
• Health, retirement, life and disability benefit programs for eligible employees
• Opportunities to build broader inspection and quality‑system experience

What we’re looking for

Required

• Active U.S. Secret Security Clearance; a clearance active within the past 24 months is considered active
• U.S. citizenship, as required for the security clearance and program access
• Ability to secure Special Program Access approval
• Willingness and ability to work any shift, including alternative work weeks
• Skills or knowledge in at least one relevant mechanic classification, such as systems/payload structures, assembly, fuselage assembly, underwing composites, metals or process mechanics

Preferred

• MVP certification
• Familiarity with model‑based definition, CATIA V5, Enovia and GD&T
• Familiarity with SAP or Military Enterprise Resource Planner (mERP)
• Composite, assembly or fabrication inspection experience
• Two or more years of composite‑mechanic experience
• Two or more years of assembly‑mechanic experience

Why you’ll like working here

• Work where quality decisions directly support defense and space missions
• Use hands‑on aerospace manufacturing knowledge in an inspection role
• Build experience across composites, fabrication and major assembly
• Contribute to audits, investigations and corrective actions—not just routine checks
• Work within a structured, union‑represented aerospace environment
• Access eligible Total Rewards programs supporting health, financial security and time away

Pay, benefits & schedule

Pay: $24.81 per hour, with potential to earn up to $41.27 per hour based on experience and in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Schedule: Applicants must be willing and able to work any shift, including alternative work weeks.

Benefits: Eligible employees may enroll in programs that generally include health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance, and paid and unpaid time away from work. Specific options vary by eligibility, location, hire date and collective bargaining agreement.

About Spirit Defense

Spirit AeroSystems is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of aerostructures for commercial airplanes, defense platforms, and business and regional jets. The company is headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, and its manufacturing capabilities span advanced fabrication, assembly, composites and aerospace‑quality systems.

This role supports Spirit’s Defense Business Unit, an independent supplier to the defense and space marketplace. Spirit Defense combines innovative engineering and rapid‑prototyping expertise with the manufacturing capabilities needed to deliver structures and technologies for demanding customer missions. As of December 2025, Spirit AeroSystems is wholly owned by The Boeing Company and part of the Boeing family. The Wichita site operates within certified aerospace quality and environmental‑management systems, including AS9100 and ISO 9001 certifications. Employees in quality roles help protect the integrity of these programs by verifying processes and hardware, documenting findings, supporting investigations and ensuring work meets applicable requirements.