Material Review Board Engineer, Bell Wichita FLRAA

We’re more than aviation experts—we’re pioneers. We challenge what’s possible, from breaking the sound barrier to advanced tiltrotor systems. Today, Bell is shaping the future of aviation through specialized engineering. We are developing the Bell Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) as part of the US Army’s Future Vertical Lift (FVL) modernization effort, the Bell 525 Relentless, and Bell's High-Speed Vertical Take-Off and Landing (HSVTOL) program. This position is onsite at Bell's Wichita, Kansas facility.

About the role

Bell is seeking a self-motivated Material Review Board Engineer (MRB) to join Bell’s Operations Support Organization. The role involves working closely with engineering support groups—including airframe design, airframe stress, material & processes, and fatigue—as well as production area supervisors and managers to evaluate nonconforming product and execute repairs per MRB policies and procedures. The candidate will ensure compliance with design requirements, including customer specifications, military standards, and Bell policies, and participate in root cause corrective action teams in the factory and with suppliers to reduce recurring defects.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a certified Bell MRB board member, dispositioning non-conforming airframe parts (composite, metallic, bonded panels, welded, castings, forgings, gears, cases, masts, and other supporting components), including designing original repairs (e.g., doublers, angles, bushings, sleeves) based on fit/form/function at the next assembly and structural integrity.
• Act as a member of the Planning Review Board, reviewing and approving fabrication planning and providing dispositions for Controlled Items (Primary, Critical, & Flight Safety Parts).
• Develop timely and cost-effective engineering dispositions for nonconforming components and assemblies through Bell’s approved MRB process, addressing non-conformances encountered during production, fabrication, installation, and assembly.
• Provide engineering cross-function support and design interpretation to manufacturing/production teams, aiding new and existing program development and improvements.
• Sign off as the engineering authority on dispositions, including Repair (RPR) and Use As Is (UAI) for all nonconformance activity.
• Support the development, maintenance, and compliance with Bell Policies & Procedures related to MRB activity.
• Participate in Root Cause/Corrective Action activities, investigating defective, damaged, non-conforming, or malfunctioning parts, assemblies, systems, or equipment to determine the cause and prevent recurrence.
• Facilitate communication between engineering disciplines, Quality, Materials, Manufacturing, and Suppliers regarding repair schemes and engineering-related production problems.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, procurement, quality, and design personnel to support a diverse manufacturing/assembly and/or flight test environment.
• Support Bell’s ENOVIA Issue, Engineering Change (ECR/ECO), and Variance (VAR/LPV) processes.
• Mentor and train other MRB engineering candidates.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, preferably in Mechanical, Aerospace, Aeronautics, Civil, or Structural Engineering.
• At least 5 years of engineering work experience in aircraft production support or airframe design; prior MRB experience/certification preferred.
• Proficiency in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Experience in structural analysis, aerospace structures (e.g., fuselage subassemblies, airfoils, ribs, skins), liaison engineering using CAMS/Visiprise/SAP, and familiarity with CATIA v6, 3DX, Unigraphics, and digital product definition.
• High proficiency with CAD digital product definition (DPD) data is preferred.
• Willingness to cross-train in MRB disciplines and relocate to other teams/manufacturing centers as needed.
• Experience in precision manufacturing environments, including composite processes (ATL, AFP, hand lay-up, molding, bonding) and metallic processes (machining, coatings, sheet metal, forgings, casting, heat treatments, welding, chemical processing). Hands-on maintenance experience on aviation platforms is a plus.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to build and maintain effective relationships with customers, internal/external suppliers, and leadership.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a team-oriented mindset.

Benefits

• 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off).
• 80 hours of Personal Time Off (PTO).
• 120 hours of vacation time.
• 12-13 paid holidays per year.
• 6 weeks of parental leave.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Competitive salary.
• Comprehensive health insurance.
• Access to more than 11 Employee Resource Groups.

This position requires compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Non-U.S. persons must meet eligibility requirements for access to export-restricted information.