Weld Inspector

Overview

This role is at Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company, supporting Spirit’s Commercial Business Units (“Spirit Commercial”). Spirit Commercial designs and builds commercial aerostructures, including for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, one of Boeing’s three business units and the premier manufacturer of commercial jetliners for decades. Spirit Commercial’s core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components, with a focus on innovative composite and aluminum manufacturing solutions.

Summary:

We are looking to hire an experienced weld inspector to oversee the quality and safety of our company’s welding activities. As a welding inspector, you will be responsible for inspecting and assessing the strength and quality of welds, ensuring the correct equipment is being used, checking weld specifications, and ensuring all safety regulations are being adhered to. To ensure success as a weld inspector, you should have advanced knowledge of modern welding procedures, a good eye for detail, and good communication skills. A top-class welding inspector quickly spots welding flaws and unsafe procedures on the work floor.

Responsibilities

Location: Wichita, KS

Position Responsibilities:

• Perform production and tooling weld inspections in accordance with company, customer, and regulatory requirements.

• Conduct visual weld inspections of fusion welds and metallographic inspections of resistance welds.

• Perform weld pressure testing, hardness testing, and conductivity inspections related to welding processes.

• Maintain all required weld inspection certifications, including Spirit Production Weld Inspection Certification requirements.

• Complete and maintain required recurring training and refresher certifications.

• Interpret and apply welding specifications, engineering drawings, blueprints, and technical documentation.

• Verify compliance with AWS standards, customer welding specifications, and internal quality procedures.

• Support welder certification processes and ensure welding operations meet established quality standards.

• Identify, document, and communicate weld defects or non-conformance issues to production and quality teams.

• Cross-train in additional inspection methods and become SIA qualified as required.

• Collaborate with manufacturing, engineering, and quality teams to support continuous improvement initiatives and production goals.

• Maintain accurate inspection records and documentation in compliance with company and customer requirements.

Qualifications

B asic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):

• Must be willing and able to work any shift.

• 5+ years of experience in welding fabrication, inspection, design, repair, or a directly related engineering or manufacturing function or an equivalent combination of post-secondary education and related experience in engineering, engineering technology, welding technology, physics, or other technical sciences.

• Valid AWS QC1 certification or the ability to provide verification of previously held AWS QC1 certification.

• Knowledge of fusion welding, resistance welding, and orbital welding processes and associated inspection methods.

• Knowledge of welding terminology and nomenclature in accordance with AWS A3.0 standards.

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and specifications.

• Understanding of customer welding specifications and varying compliance requirements.

• Ability to obtain and maintain Spirit Production Weld Inspection Certification.

• Ability to complete required classroom training, written examinations, and practical evaluations for qualification.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify weld discontinuities and defects.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work in a manufacturing and production environment.

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):

• Previous aerospace manufacturing or aviation industry experience.

• Prior experience performing visual weld inspections on aerospace components or tooling.

• Experience with metallographic inspection techniques and weld pressure testing.

• Knowledge of nondestructive testing (NDT) methods and quality inspection procedures.

• Familiarity with Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems, or other aerospace customer specifications.

• Experience supporting root cause analysis and corrective action activities related to weld quality issues.

• SIA qualification or willingness to become SIA qualified.

• Associate’s degree or technical certification in Welding Technology, Engineering Technology, Manufacturing, or a related technical field.

• Strong problem-solving skills and experience working in a team-oriented manufacturing environment.

Union:

This is a union-represented position.

Drug Free Workplace:

We are a Drug Free Workplace where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.

Pay & Benefits:

We strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent. Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.

We also 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, and a number of 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.

Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

Summary Pay Range: $27.55/hour, with potential to earn up to $45.04/hour in accordance with the terms of the relevant collective bargaining agreement.

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. Click here for more information on the tax credit.