Spirit AeroSystems Is Hiring Across Wichita in 2026

Published May 4, 2026 | LocalJobPage Team

Spirit AeroSystems is on a sustained hiring push in Wichita, and the pace of new job postings in 2026 signals this is one of the strongest runs of aerospace recruiting the city has seen in years. Since completing its acquisition by Boeing in December 2025, Spirit now operates as a wholly owned Boeing subsidiary, and the combined organization is staffing up across both its commercial and defense divisions at the Wichita campus. If you work in manufacturing, engineering, quality assurance, supply chain, or skilled trades, the opportunity in front of you right now is real. Browse Spirit AeroSystems jobs in Wichita now.

About Spirit AeroSystems

Spirit AeroSystems has been a cornerstone of Wichita's aerospace economy for decades. The company designs and builds large structural aerostructures including fuselages, pylons, nacelles, and wing components, with a focus on composite and aluminum manufacturing solutions for Boeing's commercial jetliner programs. Its defense division, Spirit Defense, operates as an independent supplier to defense customers and requires security-cleared personnel for certain roles. As of December 8, 2025, Spirit AeroSystems became a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company, folding one of Wichita's largest private employers directly into Boeing's global manufacturing network. That integration has translated into consistent, broad-based hiring across the Wichita facility through the first half of 2026.

Job Opportunities at Spirit AeroSystems

Spirit and its Boeing parent are posting new Wichita roles on a rolling basis, with over 100 openings listed across job platforms at any given time this spring. Roles span entry level to mid-level career tracks, with pay that reflects the region's aerospace wage premium. Hiring is onsite at the Wichita campus across all positions. Applicants for manufacturing roles must pass the WorkKeys Assessment before a start date is confirmed, so candidates are encouraged to schedule that assessment early in the process.

Current and recent role categories actively recruiting in Wichita include:

• Manufacturing and Production — Entry-level and journeyman positions working with hand tools, power tools, sheet metal, sealants, and fuel cell assemblies. Pay starts at approximately $21.39 per hour with the potential to reach $35.50 per hour under collective bargaining agreement terms.
• Production and Operations Engineering — Entry-level operations support specialists with a salary range of $47,600 to $72,950 annually. Roles posted as recently as April 2026.
• Quality Audit and Compliance — Mid-level quality professionals conducting audits against AS/EN 9100 and ISO 9001 standards. Pay range for mid-level roles runs $73,650 to $112,950. Some positions require a U.S. Secret Clearance.
• Project Management — Mid-level project managers supporting commercial aerostructure programs, with compensation ranging from $76,150 to $116,800.
• Supply Chain and Procurement — Procurement specialists and supply chain analysts supporting the Spirit Commercial business unit, posted continuously since January 2026.
• Facilities Maintenance and Trades — HVAC technicians and facilities maintenance workers. Pay ranges from approximately $25.09 to $43.13 per hour. Preferred candidates bring at least two years of commercial HVAC experience.

Kansas Aviation Tax Credit: Qualifying new hires at Spirit AeroSystems' Kansas operations may be eligible for a $5,000 state of Kansas Aviation Tax Credit for up to five years. That's a potential $25,000 in tax credits over five years, stacked on top of competitive aerospace wages. This benefit applies across manufacturing, engineering, and support roles and is one of the strongest financial incentives tied to any Wichita employer right now.

How to Apply

All Spirit AeroSystems positions are posted through Boeing's careers portal, reflecting the December 2025 acquisition. Job seekers should search under Boeing, filtering for Wichita, Kansas locations, and look for postings that identify Spirit AeroSystems as the operating unit. Manufacturing candidates must complete the WorkKeys Assessment, which can be scheduled before an interview to avoid delays at the offer stage. Applicants will need two forms of identification at the assessment. All positions require U.S. Person status for export control compliance purposes.

Where to start: Search Spirit AeroSystems jobs in Wichita or go directly to Boeing's careers site and filter by Wichita, KS.

Other Aerospace and Manufacturing Employers Hiring in Wichita Right Now

Spirit's hiring run is the most visible aerospace story in Wichita this spring, but it's not the only one. The broader aerospace and advanced manufacturing sector across the metro is active, and job seekers who don't land at Spirit have strong alternatives close by.

Textron Aviation regularly recruits aircraft assembly and avionics technicians at its Wichita campus, covering Cessna and Beechcraft production lines. Pay and benefits are competitive with Spirit, and Textron offers its own aerospace career ladders for skilled tradespeople.

Bombardier Learjet maintains a Wichita operation focused on business jet production and service technician roles, including avionics, airframe, and interior finishing. Learjet positions often appeal to candidates with FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificates.

McConnell Air Force Base supports a civilian workforce of logistics, aviation support, and administrative professionals. Federal positions carry strong benefits, retirement, and Thrift Savings Plan access, making McConnell a compelling alternative for candidates who want long-term stability alongside an aerospace career.

Koch Industries, headquartered in Wichita, recruits engineering, operations, and manufacturing engineering talent across multiple subsidiaries. While Koch spans industries beyond aerospace, its Wichita engineering roles frequently draw from the same candidate pool as the aviation sector.

Cargill operates major production and operations facilities in the Wichita area and hires for operations technician and maintenance specialist roles that translate well for candidates with aerospace manufacturing backgrounds who want to pivot into food and agriculture processing.

If your background is in aerospace manufacturing and you're ready to apply, the Wichita market hasn't been this active in years. Search open roles across the full metro below and get your application in today.