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Spirit Defense - Operations Engineering Manager

Spirit AeroSystems · Wichita, KS

Level
Manager
Team
Production
Base pay
$105k–$161k
Degree
Preferred
Experience asked
5+ years
Industry
Aerospace & defense
Posted
30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A management production role at Spirit AeroSystems (aerospace & defense) in Wichita, KS. Manage a combination of Manufacturing/Industrial Engineers, Manufacturing Planners, Hardware Verification Control and NC teams, Operations Support Specialists, and Continuous Improvement Specialists who focus on best practices for manufacturing operations.

They ask for
5+ years · degree preferred
Tools it names
Lean, Six Sigma, Root cause, SAP
Base pay
$105k–$161k
Openings
2 with this title at this site

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026

Production Engineer roles in Kansas: typical posted base $105k–$161k. This one lists $105k–$161k.

Median of the low and high ends of 11 live postings that list pay, out of 30 production engineer openings in Kansas, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Kansas plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 29 other live production postings in Kansas.

Base pay
About 8% above similar roles

Typical $93k–$154k, from 8 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
Less than usual (5+ vs 7+)

Similar roles usually ask 7+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ Lean 67%
  • ✓ Team leadership 60%
  • EHS / safety 37%
  • ✓ Six Sigma 33%
  • ✓ SAP 27%
  • ✓ Root cause 23%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

It asks for 5+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

  1. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Production team at Spirit AeroSystems

    We found 5 people at this company and state: 3 in this kind of role, 2 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓

  2. 2

    Send a short, curious note

    One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.

    Write to John → (free)
  3. 3

    Turn a reply into a short call

    Questions worth asking about this team:

    • What does a normal week look like on your team?
    • How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 4

    Apply with someone vouching for you

    If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.

  5. 5

    Bring proof to the interview

    One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

This plant: Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita

34 other open roles at this site · 5 people we found in production roles at Spirit AeroSystems.

All 35 roles at Spirit AeroSystems →
Full description from Spirit AeroSystemsAs posted on their careers site.Show

Responsibilities

Position

Responsibilities

Manage a combination of Manufacturing/Industrial Engineers, Manufacturing Planners, Hardware Verification Control and NC teams, Operations Support Specialists, and Continuous Improvement Specialists who focus on best practices for manufacturing operations, including process improvement, quality, and safety. Develop new manufacturing build plans, conduct root cause analysis and other necessary activities, as an owner of the manufacturing process. Enforce policies and procedures that may affect sections and subordinate work units. Use competency to complete tasks with little to no oversight, while communicating cross-functionally to ensure goals and outcomes are achieved. Manage multiple tasks to successful closure in a fast-paced environment. Ensure that direct reports can meet critical schedule deadlines. Interact effectively across all levels of leadership and staff. Lead a team including CI Specialists and professional union-represented employees. Interact across all levels of the organization; efficiently and effectively communicate and execute the manufacturing plan and schedule, implement agreed-upon changes; navigate difficult situations and conversations to a productive outcome. Lead team in developing solutions to complex problems which require the consistent use of manufacturing best practices. Apply knowledge of tools used in the manufacturing process to ensure lean practices, improve quality, and ensure consistent application of safety practices. Experience utilizing production metrics to make informed decisions and drive results. Develop, control, and manage effective build plans and communicate progress to senior leadership.

Qualifications

Basic

Qualifications

(Required Skills/Experience): Ability to obtain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance and Special Program Access (for which the U.S. Government requires U.S. Citizenship) 5+ years of experience within a manufacturing production environment. Critical thinking skills and analytical abilities to develop effective solutions to assembly operations problems, including troubleshooting. Ability to manage projects and to lead and participate in cross-functional teams to accomplish engineering initiatives, in a team environment, interact with multiple disciplines and levels of management. Ability to communicate effectively, act decisively, and to demonstrate innovation and resourcefulness. Knowledge of business and production metrics, structures, and reporting. Knowledge of standard business software including Excel and PowerPoint. Ability to read and understand blueprints. Knowledge of SAP or other large-scale MRP systems.

Preferred Qualifications

(Desired Skills/Experience): Manufacturing, Technology or Engineering degrees preferred. Experience in Business Management functions. Experience with Demand Management. Experience with APICS Supply Chain principles. Experience with Lean principles, Six Sigma, and Theory of Constraints. Knowledge of Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning. 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. Summary Pay Range: $105,300 - $161,450 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. 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.#LI-CG1

Position

Responsibilities

Manage a combination of Manufacturing/Industrial Engineers, Manufacturing Planners, Hardware Verification Control and NC teams, Operations Support Specialists, and Continuous Improvement Specialists who focus on best practices for manufacturing operations, including process improvement, quality, and safety. Develop new manufacturing build plans, conduct root cause analysis and other necessary activities, as an owner of the manufacturing process. Enforce policies and procedures that may affect sections and subordinate work units. Use competency to complete tasks with little to no oversight, while communicating cross-functionally to ensure goals and outcomes are achieved. Manage multiple tasks to successful closure in a fast-paced environment. Ensure that direct reports can meet critical schedule deadlines. Interact effectively across all levels of leadership

Show full description ↓

Overview 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.

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