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Defense - Engineering Manager

Wichita, Kansas Job ID 2026-16144 Category Engineering - Leadership Role Type Onsite Post Date Feb. 04, 2026 Security Clearance Required
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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, 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.

Spirit Defense has an exciting opportunity for a First Level Engineering Manager (Level K) located in Wichita, KS; leading the latest engineering team through emerging new programs in Hypersonic, Space, Unmanned aircraft, or Next Generation aircraft. In this role, you are responsible for leading the development and execution of engineering in support of the program. You will provide technical leadership ensuring high performance in the design and build of large structural assemblies. You should be well versed in a variety of composite and metal materials and processes, complex structures geometry, tooling requirements, stress and design processes. 

Position Responsibilities:

  • Provide technical leadership to your engineering leads
  • Collaborate with leadership on goals for performance based on contract requirements.
  • Measures requirements management performance and constantly looks for opportunities to improve performance.
  • Manage technical, cost, budget, and schedule (EVMS) of the team
  • Identify, assess, and drive to closure any technical risks or opportunities associated with your program
  • Mentor and collaborate with engineers within your team to enhance skills and assist in their desired career trajectory

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Deep knowledge of engineering for producibility, measurement, and inspection processes, experience in design or stress engineering through technical leadership, managing with influence, interpersonal relationships and communication, teambuilding, continuous improvement. Ability to be an authoritative speaker at customer reviews, and technical conferences.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):

  • Bachelor’s degree in science, technology, engineering, or other related course of study obtained from an ABET accredited engineering program or equivalent international accreditation
  • 10+ years of relevant engineering experience including at least 3 years in a significant leadership role.
  • Experience leading an engineering team
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills; strong presentation skills
  • Strong emotional intelligence skills and professional presence to be able to work with company executives and customers.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance.
  • Ability to travel (<10% expected)

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):

  • Experience with new programs
  • Active Secret DoD security clearance
  • Experience in collaborating with senior-level managers and managing complex engineering designs
  • Experience with Program Management Best Practices (Risk, Issue, and Opportunity Management, Enterprise Standard Gated Process, Baseline Management, etc.)

Drug Free Workplace:

Boeing is 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:

At Boeing, 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. 

The Boeing Company also provides 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: $130,600 - $200,200

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. An interim and/or final U.S. Secret Clearance Post-Start is required.

Visa Sponsorship

Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status. #LI-CG1


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.

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