Chemical Processing Lab Technician (Mid-Level or Senior)

About the Role

This role is at Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company, supporting Spirit’s Commercial Business Units. Spirit Commercial designs and builds commercial aerostructures, including for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles, and wing components, with a focus on innovative composite and aluminum manufacturing solutions.

Responsibilities

• Conducts basic and complex chemical analyses of production samples using approved analytical methods and techniques to ensure control of solution composition and chemical processing performance.
• Prepares accurate and complete records of work performed.
• Applies knowledge of chemical and physical sciences to perform tests on finished/processed materials to validate chemical processing and metal finishing performance in accordance with customer specifications.
• Sets up and operates laboratory equipment and chemical instrumentation, such as sample collection and preparation tools, titration equipment, spectrometers (e.g., ICP-OES), chromatographic instruments (e.g., ion chromatograph), and standard QA/QC measurement and test equipment (e.g., micrometers). Uses computer software/applications for equipment operation and result analysis.
• Researches and analyzes material, test, and process specification requirements and definitions.
• Manages and maintains a test schedule to ensure process compliance and reliability.
• Monitors laboratory results for out-of-specification and out-of-trend conditions, documenting them clearly and concisely.
• Supports the implementation of corrective actions to reduce or eliminate nonconformance to material, test, and process specification requirements.
• Critically reviews own work for accuracy and completeness.
• Performs routine housekeeping and safety activities in the laboratory, including tracking chemical usage to support timely ordering/re-ordering of reagents, standards, and chemicals.

Requirements

• 6+ years of relevant chemical lab experience, or 2 years with a BA or BS in chemistry or a related field.
• Experience with wet chemistry methods, ICP, and IC.
• Ability to work evenings or weekends as required.
• Strong time management, communication, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and solve problems effectively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with aerospace quality management systems (AS9100 and/or Nadcap AQS).
• Familiarity with Lean, Theory of Constraints, or Six Sigma.

Union

This is a union-represented position.

Pay

• Mid-Level (Level 3): $54,200–$83,100
• Senior (Level 4): $63,650–$97,600

Pay is based on candidate experience, qualifications, market, and business considerations.

Kansas Tax Credit: Eligible employees may receive a $5,000 state of Kansas Aviation tax credit for up to five years.

Benefits

We provide eligible employees with a Total Rewards package that includes:

• Competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.
• Health insurance, flexible spending accounts, and health savings accounts.
• Retirement savings plans.
• Life and disability insurance programs.
• Paid and unpaid time away from work.

Specific programs and options may vary based on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and collective bargaining agreements.