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
- Yesterday
The role in 30 seconds
A management production role at Spirit AeroSystems (aerospace & defense) in Wichita, KS.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Root cause, CATIA / NX, SAP
- Base pay
- $105k–$161k
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
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (5+ vs 7+)
Typical $93k–$154k, from 8 postings that list pay.
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.
Stands out: this posting asks for CATIA / NX, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
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
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
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
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
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
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.
- Engineering Manager · Manufacturing · Manager
- Industrial Engineer (Associate or Mid-Level) · Industrial
- Crane Maintenance Manager · Reliability · Manager
- Quality Engineer (Associate, Mid-Level, or Senior) · Quality · Senior
- Mid-Level Continuous Improvement Specialist · Lean / CI · Specialist
- Tooling Technician · Manufacturing · Technician
Full description from Spirit AeroSystemsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
Position
Responsibilities
Manage continuous improvement specialists who focus on best practices and processes for manufacturing operations, including process improvement, quality, safety, and compliance. Develop new manufacturing build plans, conduct root cause analysis and other needed activities, as a process specialist of the manufacturing area. Oversee and direct all new OSS employee training to align with and develop into seasoned, knowledgeable employees for the team. Use competency to complete tasks with little to no oversight, while communicating cross-functionally to ensure goals and outcomes are achieved. Enforce policies and procedures that may affect sections and subordinate work units. 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 multi-shift, Operation Support Specialists and professional union-represented employees. Interact across all levels of the organization, efficiently 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 best practices, improve quality, and ensure consistent application of safety and compliance practices. Experience utilizing production metrics to make informed decisions and drive results. Develop, control, and manage effective plans and communicate progress to senior leadership.
Qualifications
Basic
Qualifications
(Required Skills/Experience): 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 while interacting 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, build plans, CATIA, and IVT. Knowledge of SAP and 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 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 continuous improvement specialists who focus on best practices and processes for manufacturing operations, including process improvement, quality, safety, and compliance. Develop new manufacturing build plans, conduct root cause analysis and other needed activities, as a process specialist of the manufacturing area. Oversee and direct all new OSS employee training to align with and develop into seasoned, knowledgeable employees for the team. Use competency to complete tasks with little to no oversight, while communicating cross-functionally to ensure goals and outcomes are achieved. Enforce policies and procedures that may affect sections and subordinate work units. 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 multi-shift, Operation Support Specialists and professional union-represented employees. Interact across all levels of the organization, efficiently communicate and execute the manufacturing plan and schedule, imp
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Overview 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 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.
