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Defense - Product Development & Research Engineer

Wichita, Kansas Job ID 2025-15651 Category Manufacturing Role Type Onsite Post Date Dec. 10, 2025 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.

Location: Wichita, KS (On-Site)

Key Accountabilities:

  • High energy, self-starter, with applicable knowledge of composite development techniques and manufacturing processes
  • Conceives new product configurations, designs, manufacturing processes, and advanced technologies for new aerostructures
  • Develops concepts through the initial configuration, prototyping, risk reduction, verification, and validation and is able to progress a project thru to completion
  • Understands full life cycle requirements for product development
  • Develops future factory vision, concepts, and options
  • Defines engineering requirements and compliance approaches upfront
  • Authors test reports and certification plans
  • Assesses or evaluates product performance and manufacturing cost and viability
  • Performs trade studies for design alternatives
  • Capable of defining necessary resources and development plans both independently and collaboratively
  • Works in concert with other key departments to align and advance research plans, report on status, and deliver findings
  • Documents and communicates plans and evaluations for future work packages (i.e. bid and proposal)
  • Hands-on experience with a variety of carbon fiber reinforced thermoset matrix composite materials manufacturing processes, including hand layup, compression molding, and vacuum bagging

Required Qualifications:

  • Requires a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Aeronautical, or related engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited engineering program
  • Experience in an engineering classification / position
    • Level 1: 0-2+ years of experience
    • Level 2: 2-5+ years of experience
    • Level 3: 5-10+ years of experience
  • Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance
  • Successful candidates must be able to secure program access approval 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Active DoD Security Clearance
  • Composites with AFP knowledge and experience
  • Proficiency in CATIA or other 3D CAD modeling software
  • Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Project, and PowerPoint
  • Team player
  • Detail-oriented

Union:

This is a union-represented position.

Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.  

Summary Pay Range: Level 1: $62,250 - $95,450 | Level 2: $75,550 - $115,850 | Level 3: $93,850 - $143,850

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.

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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.
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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.

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