Spirit Defense - Summer 2027 Internship Program (Paid) - Operations Engineering - Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering

Posted 13 Days Ago
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Wichita, KS, USA
In-Office
21-34 Hourly
Internship
Aerospace • Information Technology • Software • Cybersecurity • Design • Defense • Manufacturing
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The Role
Paid summer interns support manufacturing and industrial engineering activities for defense and space products. Responsibilities may include improving build plans, work instructions, production flow, capacity, staffing, tooling, equipment, process capability, and production readiness. Interns use data and structured problem-solving to improve safety, quality, cost, producibility, and operational efficiency while collaborating with production, quality, engineering, and supply chain teams. The role is fully onsite in Wichita, Kansas.
Summary Generated by Built In
At Boeing, we innovate and collaborate to make the world a better place. We're committed to fostering an environment for every teammate that's welcoming, respectful and inclusive, with great opportunity for professional growth. Find your future with us.
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.
Launch your career with Spirit Defense! We are seeking motivated, enthusiastic, and innovative students to join our 2027 intern program.
At Spirit Defense, our teams apply innovative engineering, advanced manufacturing, and rapid prototyping to solve complex challenges across the defense and space industries. Our engineers and business professionals work on products and technologies that support critical missions and help shape the future of aerospace.
As a Spirit Defense intern, you'll gain hands-on experience working alongside experienced professionals on real-world aerospace challenges. During your summer internship, you will have the opportunity to:
  • Work directly with a mentor in your field of study while contributing to real-world projects
  • Gain firsthand exposure to aerospace products, manufacturing operations, engineering processes, and business systems
  • Collaborate with engineering and business leaders supporting defense and space programs
  • Build a professional network through technical, professional development, and social activities
  • Develop the skills and experience to launch your career in the aerospace and defense industry

Visit our program website to learn more about the opportunities available: https://jobs.boeing.com/internships
Position Responsibilities:
Operations Engineering - Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering. Spirit Defense Operations Engineering interns support the systems, processes, tooling, and production methods used to manufacture defense and space products. Assignments may span manufacturing engineering, manufacturing analysis, and industrial engineering. Interns will work with production, quality, engineering, and supply chain teams to improve safety, quality, cost, flow, producibility, and execution readiness.
Potential internship assignments may include:
  • Develop and improve manufacturing build plans, methods, and work instructions
  • Analyze production flow, capacity, staffing, schedules, and process performance
  • Support tooling, equipment, process capability, and production-readiness activities
  • Use data and structured problem-solving to reduce waste, defects, and non-value-added work

These positions are expected to be 100% onsite. The selected candidate will be required to work onsite in Wichita, KS.
This position requires the ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance for which the U.S. Government requires U.S. Citizenship.
Employer will not sponsor applications for employment visa status.
Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):
  • Currently enrolled in a four-year undergraduate or graduate ABET-accredited engineering program
  • Ability to work full-time during Summer 2027

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):
  • Passion for the aerospace and defense industry with an interest in building a career with Spirit Defense
  • Academic excellence (GPA of 3.0 or higher)
  • Previous related internship or work experience and/or involvement with student or civic organizations
  • Majoring in one of the following: Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Engineering Technology, or other related fields
  • The ability to relocate and work onsite

Relocation:
This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility.
Union:
This is a union-represented position
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.
Shift:
These positions are for first shift.
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.
Please note that the information shown below is a general guideline only. Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
Summary pay range: Min: $20.55/hr - Max: $34.42/hr
Export Control Requirements:
Export Control Requirements: This position must meet export control compliance requirements. To meet export control compliance requirements, a "U.S. Person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.15 is required. "U.S. Person" includes U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee. : Export Control Details: US based job, US Person required
Equal Opportunity Employer
Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Skills Required

  • Currently enrolled in a four-year undergraduate or graduate ABET-accredited engineering program
  • Ability to work full-time during Summer 2027
  • Ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required by the U.S. Government
  • U.S. Person status required for export control compliance
  • GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Previous related internship or work experience and/or involvement with student or civic organizations
  • Major in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related field
  • Ability to relocate and work onsite

What the Team is Saying

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Boeing Compensation & Benefits Highlights

  • Retirement Support The 401(k) program is described as highly competitive, with immediate eligibility for many roles and a student‑loan match feature that counts qualified payments toward the company match. Plan documents and recent amendments signal active maintenance and reliability of the program.
  • Healthcare Strength Medical, dental, and vision options are complemented by specialty offerings like AccessHope cancer support, Hinge Health for musculoskeletal care, and on‑demand virtual primary care for those enrolled in Boeing plans. Mental health access via Spring Health includes no‑cost counseling and coaching sessions with first‑day eligibility for many benefits.
  • Parental & Family Support Paid parental leave of up to 12 weeks at full pay, adoption assistance, surrogacy support, and backup child and elder care underscore a robust family‑oriented design. Policies indicate many benefits start quickly after hire, improving practical access for new parents.

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The Company
HQ: Arlington, VA
170,000 Employees
Year Founded: 1916

What We Do

A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.

Why Work With Us

Aerospace protects and connects people, enables economic growth and trade, provides humanitarian relief and allows for human exploration of space. Boeing collaborates globally to support responsible growth for our industry, and we invest in innovation that improves the efficiency and sustainability of air travel and our operations.

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