2026 Summer Intern: Operations (Defense Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering)

OverviewFlight begins at Spirit AeroSystems, where our products are taking off somewhere around the world every minute of every day. We design and build large structural parts for the world's premier commercial aircraft (think Boeing and Airbus), as well as top Defense and other cutting-edge programs.Spirit AeroSystems is a global company headquartered in Wichita, Kansas with a diverse work force spread across three continents. Our Summer Internship Program has been rated a US Top 100 Internship Program, and this is based on our program focusing on meaningful projects/work, intern professional development, social activities, career shadowing opportunities, mentoring support, and our history of offering interns full time positions. At Spirit AeroSystems we are focused on inventing, designing, and building what's best in aerospace and we welcome you to consider joining us in this endeavor! ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities: Flight begins with you at Spirit AeroSystems, a place where you can explore your interests and grow your career by working on impactful projects. As an Engineering intern, you will work in one of these disciplines:Industrial Engineering:Utilize analytical skills for capacity analysis, tool and equipment utilization as well as line balancingDiscrete Event Simulation to validate Cycle time, WIP, bottlenecks, throughput, capacity, resource utilization, and production rate changes of complex production systemsAnalyze and design sequence of operations and workflow to improve efficiency in plant and production facilities and equipment layouts; and establish methods for maximum utilization of production facilities and personnel and optimization of product flowConduct studies pertaining to cost control, cost reduction, inventory control, and production record systemsMay assist facilities engineers in the planning and design of facilitiesDevelop and provide time-standards to the shop floor as well as standard work for operations and processesManufacturing Engineering: Acquire hands-on experience in fabricating and assembling parts according to engineering specificationsCollaborate on machining, composite, sheet metal, and rapid response planning projectsManage configuration control to ensure adherence to specific customer requirements, overseeing operations and parts for designated unitsDevelop expertise in areas such as composites, electrical/electronics, machining, sheet metal, systems, and structuresPartner with engineering, manufacturing, and supply teams to formulate and execute manufacturing and tooling strategies.Contribute to the adoption and implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies, enhancing processes to align with type design requirements.Apply process engineering principles and methodologies to optimize manufacturing operations.There are multiple opportunities in each area listed above. If you are selected to be an intern on this requisition, we will place you in an above area based on your top preferences and the needs of the business. Also, should you be selected as a 2026 Spirit AeroSystems Summer Intern, you will have exposure to several activities including:Multiple Manufacturing Plant ToursProfessional development workshopsProject Expo (An opportunity to present an intern project for Executive Leaders)Social/Networking Events QualificationsRequirements:You must be a US Person (US Citizen or US Permanent Resident)You must be enrolled full time in a university degree program aligned to the area of internship.You must be a current sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student in good academic standing.Spirit AeroSystems is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law.