Spirit Defense - Entry-level Research NDI Engineer

Spirit AeroSystems • Wichita, KS

1d

About The Position

Spirit Defense, the defense business unit of Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. and a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company, is an independent supplier to the defense and space marketplace. Spirit Defense provides engineering, rapid prototyping, technologies, and support for customer missions.

The Non-Destructive Inspection Engineer supports commercial and defense research, development, and production applications. The engineer works with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and program teams to develop and implement advanced NDI solutions for aerospace structures and components. The role applies broad technical knowledge of NDI methods, applications, and theory, with an emphasis on NDI applications and the use of automation and/or robotics to enable inspection processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an ABET-accredited engineering program.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience developing or integrating automated or robotic NDI systems for aerospace manufacturing applications.
• Experience with automated ultrasonic scanning systems, phased-array ultrasonics, eddy current, or other advanced NDI technologies.
• Experience with robotic programming, industrial automation, motion-control systems, machine vision, sensors, or automated data-acquisition systems.
• Experience with CATIA V5.
• Experience developing NDI techniques, procedures, inspection plans, or engineering requirements.
• Knowledge of NAS 410 and applicable aerospace NDI standards and specifications.
• NDI Level II or Level III certification, or previous certification, in one or more NDI methods.
• Experience inspecting or developing inspection processes for aerospace metallic and/or composite structures.
• Experience transitioning inspection technologies from research and development into manufacturing or production.
• Experience with statistical analysis, inspection data analysis, or software used for NDI data acquisition and evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Apply technical knowledge of NDI methods, applications, and theory to aerospace materials, components, and structures.
• Develop, evaluate, and implement NDI techniques and inspection solutions for composite, metallic, and other aerospace materials.
• Apply NDI methods including ultrasonic, eddy current, radiographic, penetrant, magnetic particle, and other applicable advanced inspection technologies.
• Develop and integrate automated or robotic NDI solutions, including multi-axis inspection systems, motion control, sensors, tooling, and data-acquisition systems.
• Support programming, integration, testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting of automated NDI equipment and robotic inspection systems.
• Analyze inspection requirements and determine suitable NDI methods, equipment, techniques, and automation approaches.
• Develop and document engineering requirements, inspection concepts, processes, test plans, and technical solutions for NDI applications.
• Evaluate inspection data and support methods for data acquisition, processing, analysis, and interpretation.
• Conduct research and trade studies on emerging NDI technologies, automation, robotics, sensors, inspection methods, and process improvements.
• Collaborate with Design Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, NDI personnel, suppliers, and other technical organizations to transition NDI technologies into production.
• Support equipment qualification, calibration, verification, and validation to ensure inspection systems meet engineering, customer, and regulatory requirements.
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, material requirements, and manufacturing processes to determine NDI requirements and inspection approaches.
• Support root-cause investigations and corrective actions involving inspection processes, equipment, materials, and manufacturing conditions.
• Ensure NDI engineering solutions comply with company procedures, customer requirements, industry standards, and governmental regulations.

Benefits

• Competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.
• Eligible employees may enroll in benefit programs generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance, and paid and unpaid time away from work.
• Eligible Kansas employees may qualify for a $5,000 Kansas Aviation tax credit for up to five years.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level