Mid-Level Research and Development Engineer (Aerospace)

Location: Wichita, Kansas, United States

Salary: $98,400–$150,800 per year

Company

Spirit Defense, a hirify.global subsidiary of The Boeing Company, develops aerostructures, defense systems, composite and metallic manufacturing solutions, and rapid-prototyping capabilities for commercial and defense customers.

What you will do

• Develop manufacturing processes, advanced technologies, and assembly methods for composite and metallic aerostructures.
• Advance manufacturing readiness through configuration, prototyping, risk reduction, verification, and validation.
• Develop industrialization and automation concepts, build plans, tooling methods, assembly processes, and project estimates.
• Author and review assembly plans, test plans, and test reports; lead Production 3P events and support RCCA activities.
• Provide technical leadership, lead cross-functional engineering projects, deliver technical presentations, and manage key milestones.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external suppliers on trade studies, research, bids, proposals, and future work packages.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required because the position requires the ability to obtain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance and Special Program Access.
• B.S. degree in Mechanical, Materials, Aerospace Engineering, or an equivalent field from an ABET-accredited university.
• 5–10 years of engineering experience in the aircraft industry.
• At least 5 years of Manufacturing Engineering experience, including work with an ERP system, CAD systems, CATIA, tool design, composite part development, and composite manufacturing processes.
• The position is union-represented.
• Applicants and employees may be subject to post-offer drug and alcohol testing under workplace policy.

Nice to have

• Manufacturing engineering experience with metals and composites in a manufacturing environment.
• CATIA V5 experience in part, assembly, wireframe, drafting, and surface design, particularly composite tooling methods and design.
• Experience with SAP and GPLM ERP systems.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings and applying GD&T.
• 10 years of engineering experience in the aircraft industry.

Culture & Benefits

• Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, retirement savings, life and disability insurance, and paid or unpaid time away from work.
• Benefits and program availability vary by geographic location, hire date, eligibility, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Compensation is based on experience, qualifications, market conditions, and business considerations.
• Eligible Kansas employees may receive a $5,000 state aviation tax credit for up to five years.
• The workplace is drug-free and the role is subject to applicable union conditions.

Hiring process

• The employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.
• Employment requires the ability to obtain the specified U.S. security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is required.