Spirit Defense - Engineering Manager
Spirit AeroSystems · Wichita, KS
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $131k–$200k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 8+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management manufacturing role at Spirit AeroSystems (aerospace & defense) in Wichita, KS. An interim and/or final U.S.
- They ask for
- 8+ years · degree required
- Base pay
- $131k–$200k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Kansas: typical posted base $86k–$131k. This one lists $131k–$200k.
Median of the low and high ends of 11 live postings that list pay, out of 29 manufacturing 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 28 other live manufacturing postings in Kansas.
- Base pay
- About 53% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- More than usual (8+ vs 5+)
Typical $86k–$131k, from 10 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Tooling 59%
- Root cause 38%
- Lean 38%
- Team leadership 34%
- Six Sigma 31%
- Union environment 31%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention 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 Manufacturing team at Spirit AeroSystems
We found 13 people at this company and state: 9 in this kind of role, 4 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 Dustin → (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?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- 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 · 13 people we found in manufacturing roles at Spirit AeroSystems.
- Operations Engineering Manager · Production · Manager
- 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
Full description from Spirit AeroSystemsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
Position
Responsibilities
Lead engineering organization and provide technical leadership to team Possess understanding of full life cycle
requirements
for aerospace product development Establish, oversee, and administer technical processes, policies, and practices Manage cost, schedule, technical performance, and staffing forecast of the engineering team Collaborate closely with engineering managers and program managers to identify staffing gaps and execute hiring strategies Define resource requirements, acquisition, and redeployment plans Provide development, mentoring, and growth opportunities for employees within the organization Motivate and manage the team to ensure high performance Partner with subordinates to establish and evaluate employee performance plans Interface with other organizations, internal/external customers, and suppliers to define and evaluate accomplishment of project, program priorities and approvals, and assist in roadblock elimination Identify, assess, and drive to closure any technical risks or opportunities associated with program This position is expected to be 100% onsite. The selected candidate will be required to work onsite at the Wichita, KS location
Qualifications
Basic
Qualifications
(Required Skills/Experience): Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from an ABET-accredited engineering program 8+ years of related engineering experience 2+ years of related technical management and/or technical leadership experience Ability to obtain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance and Special Program Access (for which the U.S. Government requires U.S. Citizenship)
Preferred Qualifications
(Desired Skills/Experience): Focus in Mechanical, Civil, Aerospace, Aeronautical, or Material Sciences Engineering Stress, Design, and/or SEIT (Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test) engineering experience Strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate and hold people accountable Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work cross functionally Analytical with demonstrated ability to deconstruct
requirements
and prioritize accordingly Keen eye for details and a focus on continuous process improvement Exceptional time management skills Excellent written and oral communication skills Strong presentation skills 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.
Position
Responsibilities
Lead engineering organization and provide technical leadership to team Possess understanding of full life cycle
requirements
for aerospace product development Establish, oversee, and administer technical processes, policies, and practices Manage cost, schedule, technical performance, and staffing forecast of the engineering team Collaborate closely with engineering managers and program managers to identify staffing gaps and execute hiring strategies Define resource requirements, acquisition, and redeployment plans Provide development, mentoring, and growth opportunities for employees within the organization Motivate and manage the team to ensure high performance Partner with subordinates to establish and evaluate employee performance plans Interface with other organizations, internal/external customers, and suppliers to define and evaluate accomplishment of project, program priorities and approvals, and assist in roadblock elimination Identify, assess, and drive to closure any technical risks or opportunities associated with program This position is expected to be 100% onsite. The selected candidate will be required to work onsite at the Wichita, KS location
Basic
Qualifications
(Required Skills/Experience): Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from an ABET-accredited engineering program 8+ years of related engineering experience 2+ years of related technical management and/or technical leadership experience Ability to obtain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance and Special Program Access (for which the U.S. Government requires U.S. Citizenship)
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
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.
