Tool Engineer Manager

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 fuselages, pylons, nacelles, and wing components, with a focus on innovative composite and aluminum manufacturing solutions.

Responsibilities

• Applies engineering principles and technical knowledge to the design and support of airplane manufacturing tools (e.g., access equipment and structures, handling and transportation, test equipment, gauges, assembly jigs, drill equipment, etc.).
• Develops designs that include concept; analysis of structural, electrical, and mechanical systems; and definition of the tool, ensuring compliance with company and governmental processes, policies, and procedures.
• Identifies, designs, and implements advanced technologies to improve manufacturing processes.
• Resolves concerns arising during the fabrication process and maintenance disposition, requiring such engineering principles as stress analysis, circuit design, mechanics of materials, and fluid dynamics.
• Conducts trade and cost studies.
• Integrates define and produce activities across the tool family to ensure that parts meet definition and manufacturing plan requirements.
• Provides technical knowledge and leadership to projects requiring key tool engineering competencies (e.g., jig and fixturing methods and concepts, hole preparation, automated drilling and fastener systems, test systems, part handling and transportation, etc.) to increase the efficiency of manufacturing processes.
• Focuses primarily on achieving excellent customer service by leading process improvement activities, process and product optimization strategies, and technology development and software applications.
• Interfaces technical and administrative knowledge across programs, functions, and organization boundaries and levels within the scope of assignment.
• Creates and articulates accurate detailed instructions and media for the fabrication of detail, assembly, and digital database tooling.
• Produces tool layouts and oversees the fabrication and verification of tool deliverables.
• Lays out or creates computer-generated models in conjunction with numerical control data preparation for the fabrication of tooling deliverables (e.g., master tooling, computer-generated tooling, flat pattern layouts, computer master database models, etc.).
• Acts as liaison, provides producibility and manufacturing input, and electronic measurement services for internal and external customers.
• Monitors quality through statistical process control and other verification methods.
• Interfaces with production manufacturing, product definition, manufacturing engineering, and external customers.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, or other related course of study obtained from an ABET accredited engineering program or equivalent international accreditation.
• 5+ years of relevant experience as a Tool Engineer Manager, Supervisor, or Team Lead in a highly-regulated, safety-focused manufacturing environment.

Skills

• 10+ years of experience with aviation or aeronautics manufacturing is desirable.
• Proven experience using engineering principles and technical knowledge to design and support use of airplane manufacturing tools (e.g., access equipment and structures, handling and transportation, test equipment, gauges, assembly jigs, drill equipment, etc.).
• Proven expertise in achieving excellent customer service by leading process improvement, product optimization strategies, and technology development and software applications.
• Experience leading and mentoring teams in a fast-paced aviation/aeronautics manufacturing environment.
• 10+ years of Tool Engineering experience in Assembly, Bond, or Detail Tooling.
• 10+ years with CAD systems, CATIA preferred.

Pay

• Summary Pay Range: $119,050 - $182,500
• Kansas Tax Credit: Join Spirit AeroSystems’ Kansas team and you may be eligible for a $5,000 state of Kansas Aviation tax credit for up to five years.

Benefits

We provide 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
• 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.

This position must meet export control compliance requirements. To meet these 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.