Defense - Product Development & Research Engineer

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.

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.

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.

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.