Bombardier's $50 Million Wichita Investment: What It Means for Aircraft Technician Jobs

WICHITA, KS — Bombardier is putting about $50 million into its Wichita site, and the biggest piece of it is aimed squarely at people: a new North American Learning Center built to train the aircraft technicians and mechanics the company hires. For anyone in the Air Capital with a wrench, an A&P certificate or the itch to earn one, this is the aerospace hiring news worth paying attention to this fall.

A $50 million bet on Wichita's west-side aviation campus, a new in-house training center for technicians, and 500 open Bombardier roles nationwide. Here's what it means for local job seekers.

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💼 What Bombardier Announced for Wichita

The company laid out the investment on October 16 at an on-site ceremony attended by Governor Laura Kelly, Lieutenant Governor David Toland and Bombardier leadership. According to Bombardier's announcement, the money covers several projects across the site rather than one new building.

Two pieces stand out for workers. The first is the North American Learning Center, which Bombardier describes as its first dedicated in-house skills center. It will train newly hired aircraft technicians and mechanics from across the U.S. The second is an expanded Wheel and Tire Shop with new equipment and added employee training, part of the company's component repair and overhaul work.

The state puts Bombardier's Kansas workforce at about 1,500 people. Wichita is also home to the company's U.S. headquarters and Bombardier Defense, so the campus near Eisenhower National Airport is far more than a service hangar.

🔥 The Bigger Hiring Picture: 500 Openings Nationwide

A week later, on October 23, Bombardier announced a broader $270 million U.S. plan. The company said it is recruiting for about 500 open positions across the country and expects roughly 300 more jobs from expansion projects, with Texas taking an estimated 150 of those. Wichita holds more than 40% of the company's roughly 3,500 U.S. employees.

Here is the honest part: Bombardier has not published a Wichita-specific headcount for the new investment, and it did not set a hiring target for the Learning Center. Do not walk in expecting a mass hiring day. What you can count on is that Wichita is where the bulk of Bombardier's U.S. workforce sits, and that open technician postings are already live on the company's own careers site.

✅ What It Takes to Get Hired

Bombardier's current Wichita listing for an experienced Airframe and Powerplant technician at its service and completion center asks for an FAA Airframe license and either two years on Bombardier aircraft or four years of general aircraft maintenance experience. Pay is not posted on that listing, so we are not printing a figure.

If you are not certified yet, Wichita has a well-worn path. Bombardier and WSU Tech launched a two-year paid apprenticeship in 2024 that pairs classes at WSU Tech with hands-on work on the Bombardier site and leads to an A&P certification. Check the careers site for whether a new cohort is open before you plan around it.

Aviation work also runs deep beyond one employer. Textron Aviation and a long list of aerospace suppliers across the metro hire many of the same skills, so a strong resume for Bombardier usually works across town too.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much is Bombardier investing in Wichita?

About $50 million, announced October 16, 2026, spread across several site projects including a new Learning Center and an expanded Wheel and Tire Shop.

How many new jobs will the Wichita investment create?

Bombardier has not announced a Wichita-specific number. Nationally, the company says it is recruiting for about 500 open positions and expects about 300 more from expansion projects.

What is the North American Learning Center?

Bombardier's first dedicated in-house training center, located in Wichita, built to train newly hired aircraft technicians and mechanics from across the U.S.

Do I need an A&P license to work at Bombardier?

The experienced technician listing asks for an FAA Airframe license and prior maintenance experience. Entry routes such as the WSU Tech apprenticeship exist for people working toward certification.

Where do I apply?

On Bombardier's own careers site. Avoid third-party listings that ask for fees or personal financial details.

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