Spirit Defense - Associate Manufacturing Engineer
Spirit AeroSystems · Wichita, KS
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $72k–$110k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- Yesterday
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at Spirit AeroSystems (aerospace & defense) in Wichita, KS.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Machining, Tooling, CATIA / NX, SAP
- Base pay
- $72k–$110k
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 $72k–$110k.
Median of the low and high ends of 10 live postings that list pay, out of 28 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 27 other live manufacturing postings in Kansas.
- Base pay
- About 16% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- Typical (5+ years)
Typical $86k–$131k, from 9 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Tooling 61%
- Root cause 39%
- Lean 39%
- Team leadership 36%
- Six Sigma 36%
- ✓ Machining 29%
✓ = 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
33 other open roles at this site · 13 people we found in manufacturing roles at Spirit AeroSystems.
- Engineering Manager · Manufacturing · Manager
- Operations Engineering Manager · Production · 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
Implements fabrication, assembly, or installation manufacturing plans by coordinating with suppliers, engineering, and manufacturing teams Knowledge to develop tooling, interchangeability, replacement, and functional test plans Using the established manufacturing process flow, defines sequences of events, develops text and graphics work instructions, manufacturing datasets, tooling requirements, and manufacturing bills of material Communicates with engineering teams to influence and clarify design concepts Coordinates change incorporation, optimizes processes, addresses producibility issues, production &postproduction problems Has the ability to demonstrate configuration control of the hardware, within the manufacturing build plan
Qualifications
Basic
Qualifications
(Required Skills/Experience): Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering from an ABET-accredited engineering program 2-5+ years of related experience with a Bachelor's Degree or 1-4+ years of related experience with a Master's Degree 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): Clarification, enhancement of existing build plans to promote standardization, and ease of understanding Frequent interaction with internal personnel in the manufacturing environment and occasionally with inter-organizational personnel and external customers Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and 3D models Creation and publication of manufacturing graphics Strong skills in Microsoft Office, especially with Excel Strong knowledge of SAP CATIA / ENOVIA 3DX Understanding of the master scheduling
requirements
Ability to take a project from start to finish Willingness to work cross-functionally Ability to apply process knowledge in one or more of the following areas: Composite non-metallic, Electrical/Electronics, Machining, Sheet metal, Systems and Structures Union: This is a union-represented position. 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: $71,650 - $109,800 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. Visa Sponsorship Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.
Position
Responsibilities
Implements fabrication, assembly, or installation manufacturing plans by coordinating with suppliers, engineering, and manufacturing teams Knowledge to develop tooling, interchangeability, replacement, and functional test plans Using the established manufacturing process flow, defines sequences of events, develops text and graphics work instructions, manufacturing datasets, tooling requirements, and manufacturing bills of material Communicates with engineering teams to influence and clarify design concepts Coordinates change incorporation, optimizes processes, addresses producibility issues, production &postproduction problems Has the ability to demonstrate configuration control of the hardware, within the manufacturing build plan
Basic
Qualifications
(Required Skills/Experience): Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering from an ABET-accredited engineering program 2-5+ years of related experience with a Bachelor's Degree or 1-4+ years of related experience with a Master's Degree 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): Clarification, enhancement of existing build plans to promote standardization, and ease of understanding Frequent interaction with internal personnel in the manufacturing environment and occasionally with inter-organizational personnel and external customers Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and 3D models Creation and publication of manufacturing graphics Strong skills in Microsoft Office, especially with Excel Strong knowledge of SAP CATIA / ENOVIA 3DX Understanding of the master scheduling
requirements
Ability to take a project from start to finish Willingness to work cross-functionally Ability to apply process knowledge in one or more of the following areas: Composite non-metallic, Electrical/Electro
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.
