Spirit Defense - Summer 2027 Internship Program (Paid) - Operations Engineering - Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering (Aerospace)

Location: 100% onsite in Wichita, Kansas, United States; first shift. The selected candidate must work onsite in Wichita. The position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility.

Salary: $20.55–$34.42 per hour.

Company

Spirit Defense is hirify.global’ defense business unit and an independent supplier of engineering, advanced manufacturing, rapid prototyping, and support for the defense and space marketplace.

What you will do

• Support the systems, processes, tooling, and production methods used to manufacture defense and space products.
• Develop and improve manufacturing build plans, manufacturing methods, and work instructions.
• Analyze production flow, capacity, staffing, schedules, and process performance.
• Support tooling, equipment, process capability, and production-readiness activities.
• Use data and structured problem-solving to reduce waste, defects, and non-value-added work.
• Collaborate with production, quality, engineering, and supply chain teams to improve safety, quality, cost, flow, producibility, and execution readiness.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a four-year undergraduate or graduate ABET-accredited engineering program.
• Ability to work full-time during Summer 2027.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance; U.S. Citizenship is required by the U.S. Government.

Nice to have

• Passion for the aerospace and defense industry and interest in building a career with Spirit Defense.
• GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Previous related internship or work experience and/or involvement with student or civic organizations.
• Major in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related field.
• Ability to relocate and work onsite.

Culture & Benefits

• Hands-on experience with real-world aerospace challenges under the guidance of a mentor.
• Collaboration with engineering and business leaders supporting defense and space programs.
• Technical, professional development, and social activities with opportunities to build a professional network.
• Union-represented position and drug-free workplace.
• Eligible employees may receive health insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance, and paid and unpaid time away from work.