Spirit Defense - Summer Internship Program Operations Engineering - Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering

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 Aero Systems, 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:

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.

• 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.

• Currently enrolled in a four-year undergraduate or graduate ABET‑accredited engineering program
• Ability to work full‑time during Summer 2027

• 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…