Skip to main content
collage of photos featuring a rocket, a plane, and a submarine

Bring your ideas
to life

Search

Find U.S. Contract Jobs

Aircraft Painter

Wichita, Kansas Job ID 2026-16200 Category Manufacturing Role Type Onsite Post Date Feb. 10, 2026
Apply Now

At Boeing, we innovate and collaborate to make the world a better place. We’re committed to fostering an environment for every teammate that’s welcoming, respectful and inclusive, with great opportunity for professional growth. Find your future with us.


This role is at Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company, supporting Spirit’s Commercial Business Units (“Spirit Commercial”). Spirit Commercial designs and builds commercial aerostructures, including for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, one of Boeing’s three business units and the premier manufacturer of commercial jetliners for decades. Spirit Commercial’s core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components, with a focus on innovative composite and aluminum manufacturing solutions.

Summary:

Responsible for the spray application of multiple aerospace paints on a variety of substrates and on simple to complex product configurations,including the setup and application of primer andfinish coat. Supporting responsibilities include masking, racking, turning, and sanding operations as well as equipment maintenance and paint mixing operations.

Location: Wichita, KS

Position Responsobilities:

  • Mix paints to match color specifications or original colors, using spatulas or power mixing equipment to stir or thin paints.
  • Select and apply paint according to engineering planning documents.
  • Dispose of trash, scrap and hazardous waste in an appropriate manner.
  • Remove grease, dirt, paint, or rust from surfaces using abrasives, solvents, and brushes or washing tanks to prepare to apply paint.
  • Spray or brush prepared surfaces with specified amounts of alodine, primers or finish coatings per engineering-planning.
  • Mix ingredients to create specific finishes.
  • Trim excess material.
  • Use any equipment (e.g., computers or hand, power and air tools) needed to complete paint assignments.
  • Perform any pickup, rework and incorporation of changes to the product as required.
  • Work from prints, sketches, specifications and written/verbal instruction.
  • Maintain required certifications, qualifications, licenses or permits.
  • Utilize precision measuring equipment (e.g. isoscopes and scales) to perform self-inspection of in-process and finished work.
  • Perform routine minor maintenance onsprayers, paint guns, etc. as part of the daily work duties
  • Move product within the manufacturing work area of the shop, including across aisles, using assigned equipment and complete transactions necessary to move product to the next operation.
  • Support the continuous flow of product within the manufacturing process by training and assisting employees of the same or lower classification level.
  • Inspect equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Analyze information and evaluate results to choose the best solution and solve problems as pertains to the paint process.
  • Ensure daily logs are completed for air quality prior to paint operations.
  • Utilize required safety equipment and procedures such as respirators, air hoods/masks, Tyvek suits, gloves, donning/ doffing, foot wear and safety eye wear.
  • Compliance with governing regulations including but not limited to BAC, OSHA and customer specifications.

Level B

  • Perform process activities, such as painting, to support the production requirements per engineering planning.
  • Spray and brush priming per engineering planning.
  • Surface preparation (to include, but not limited to,masking, de-masking, plugging, etc.) for paint and subsequent inspection and processing.
  • Apply Sol-Gel and dry lube per engineering planning.
  • Operate automated and manual equipment for spray application of paint, primer and protective coatings per engineering planning.
  • Operate ovens to complete curing process per engineering planning.
  • Complete final steps in the paint process which may include part mark or part wrap.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):

  • Able to read engineering blueprints, schematics and drawings.
  • Can match or detect differences amongcolors, including shades of color and brightness.
  • Able to remain steady while moving an arm or while holdingarm and hand in position.
  • See details at close range.
  • Make precise movements of the fingers to grasp, manipulate or assemble small objects.
  • Able to quickly move hand, hand with armor two hands to grasp, manipulate or assemble objects.
  • HS diploma required. Associate’s degree in a technical field preferred.
  • Minimum of 1 year(s) of experience pertaining to the skills identified.
  • All applicants must be willing and able to work any shift, including alternative work weeks. Majority of new hires will be hired on 2nd shift.
  • All Candidates must pass the WorkKeys Assessment (workkeys.com) or provide verification that they have passed the WorkKeys Assessment. Delay in completing your WorkKeys Assessment will result in a delay in your start date. You may complete your assessment in advance of an interview.
    • IMPORTANT WorkKeys note: Any person scheduling their WorkKeys Assessment will be required to present two (2) forms of identification to be verified before their scheduled date for the WorkKeys assessment. Please click and review this provided link Acceptable Forms of ID and plan ahead by deciding which documents can be located or if need be, ordered.

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):

  • Understanding of conventional high volume/low pressure (HVLP)paint spray equipment in pressure, gravity and siphon-fed variants,as well as conventional and airless identificationpots, pumps and guns.
  • Aircraft or auto body painting experience.
  • Painting prepto includesanding and masking.
  • Two (2) years minimum related experience or equivalent technical certificate.

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. 

Pay:  $22.52/hour, with potential to earn up to $37.40/hour in accordance with the terms of the relevant collective bargaining agreement.

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.


Export Control Requirements:

Export Control Requirements: This position must meet export control compliance requirements. To meet export control compliance requirements, a “U.S. Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.15 is required. “U.S. Person” includes U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.


Equal Opportunity Employer

Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Shows the full job description for sighted users
Apply Now

Your Benefits

No matter where you are in life, our benefits help prepare you for the present and the future.

  • Generous company match to your 401(k).
  • Industry-leading tuition assistance program pays your institution directly.
  • Fertility, adoption, and surrogacy benefits.
  • Up to $10,000 gift match when you support your favorite nonprofit organizations.
Explore more benefits

These programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other conditions, which may differ for employees of certain subsidiaries or business units, or union-represented employees depending on bargaining agreement terms. If this information conflicts with the program documents, the latter shall control. This material is informational only.

  • Jacob M
    We never stop growing

    Whether you’re looking to expand your knowledge or grow as a leader, our development programs are designed to help you succeed.

    Learn more

Jobs for You:

No recently viewed jobs.

View all of our available opportunities

No saved jobs.

View all of our available opportunities

Connect with us

Sign up for Job Alerts

Be the first to know when new jobs are posted.

Sign up for Job Alerts

Join our Talent Community

Get updates about Boeing job opportunities, events and career information.

Sign up for our Talent Community

Veteran Talent Community

Transition to a career in engineering, product support, IT, manufacturing or other areas.

Sign up for our Veteran Talent Community