Spirit Defense - Mid-Level Research and Development Engineer

Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 98,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. in Wichita, KS is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer with aerospace manufacturing background to develop aerostructure processes and drive technology readiness from concept to prototype and validation. The role includes cross-functional leadership, project planning, and collaboration with suppliers to deliver high-quality structures.

Required qualifications include a U.S. security clearance eligibility, ABET-accredited engineering degree, and 5–10 years in aircraft

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance and Special Program Access (U.S. Citizenship required).
• B.S. Engineering from an ABET-accredited university in Mechanical, Materials, Aerospace or equivalent.
• 5–10 years of engineering work experience in the aircraft industry; SME in Manufacturing Engineering with ERP, CAD/CATIA, tooling and composites.

Responsibilities

• Develop manufacturing processes and advanced technologies for aerostructure development and assembly.
• Advance technology readiness levels and manage concepts through prototyping, risk reduction, verification, and validation.
• Provide technical leadership to engineers and technicians and plan cross-functional work.
• Lead projects with internal and external partners, manage milestones, and support bids and proposals.
• Contribute to industrialization, automation, and RCCA activities across programs.

Skills

Security clearance

ABET engineering degree

Aircraft engineering experience

Manufacturing engineering

ERP systems experience

CAD CATIA

Composite tooling methods

Tool design

Education

B.S. Engineering (Mechanical, Materials, Aerospace) from ABET program

Tools

CATIA V5

SAP

GPLM

Job description

Overview

This role is at Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company, at Spirit’s Defense Business Unit ("Spirit Defense"). Spirit Defense is an independent supplier to the defense and space marketplace. Through innovative engineering and rapid prototyping excellence, Spirit Defense provides the capabilities, technologies and support customers need to succeed in their missions.

Boeing Wichita designs and builds aerostructures for both commercial and defense customers. The Boeing Company operates in multiple different sites worldwide and Wichita KS is Boeing’s second largest site. The company's core products include Boeing 737, 787, 777X to name a few commercial aircraft and Boeing and Spirit Defense, A Boeing Company in Wichita supports many defense world's premier warfighters. Boeing Wichita focuses on affordable, innovative composite and metals manufacturing solutions to support customers around the globe.

Responsibilities

Position Responsibilities:

• Develop manufacturing processes and advanced technologies for aerostructure development and assembly
• Advance technology and manufacturing readiness levels; Develop concepts through initial configuration, prototyping, risk reduction, verification, and validation.
• Advice on new product configurations with design-for-manufacturing principles in mind
• Author and review assembly plans, test plans, test reports and lead Production 3P event s
• Build Plan Development, Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) Assessments, Tooling Methods and Assembly Processes on Composite and Metallic Structures
• Develop concepts for industrialization and automation
• Develop Basis of Estimates for engineering projects for both internal and customer driven programs
• Provide technical leadership to team of engineers and technicians
• Independent planning of work activities with intra- and inter-organization collaboration as needed
• Ability to lead an engineering project with cross-functional collaboration, technical presentations and
• Project management; plan and achieve key milestones; manage collaborative research with external suppliers
• Support documenting and communicating plans and evaluations for future work packages, i.e. bids and proposals
• Support cross-functional teams in trade studies, industrialization, automation and RCCA

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills and Experience):

• Ability to obtain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance and Special Program Access (for which the U.S. Government requires U.S. Citizenship)
• Must have B.S. Engineering (Mechanical, Materials, Aerospace or equivalent ) from an ABET accredited University
• 5-10 years of engineering work experience in aircraft industry
• Subject matter expert with minimum 5 years’ experience in Manufacturing Engineering including working on an ERP system, CAD systems with CATIA suite including tool design, composite part development and manufacturing processes

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):

• Manufacturing Engineer with Metals and Composites manufacturing knowledge and experience working in a manufacturing environment
• CATIA V5 experience with Part/Assembly/Wireframe Design, Drafting, Surface Design with an emphasis on composite tooling methods and design
• ERP system experience in SAP and GPLM
• Experience in engineering drawing interpretation with GD&T
• 10 years engineering work experience in aircraft industry

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: $98,400 - $150,800

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.

Visa Sponsorship

Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.