KC-135 First Line Engineering Manager
Boeing· Aerospace & Defense· Oct 26, 2026 · 2d ago
USA - Oklahoma City, OK
In office
Full-time
Manager
$158K–$227K est.
10+ years exp
Job description
KC-135 First Line Engineering Manager
Company:
The Boeing Company
The Boeing Legacy Tankers (KC-135 and KDC/KC-10) organization is seeking a First Line Engineering Manager to direct a multi-discipline team responsible for aircraft integration and structural analysis across aging commercial-derivative military platforms. This role requires managing a team of engineers, providing technical authority across structures, mechanical, avionics, and fuel systems engineering, and ensuring seamless integration and execution of sustainment and development efforts. The position acts as a technical interface to executive leadership, program management, and key external customers.
Responsibilities:
Lead and grow a team of engineers including technical leads and senior staff, managing competency development, staffing forecasts, and redeployment to address skill gaps.
Align engineering managers on program priorities, technical scopes, integration requirements, and drive collaborative execution across cross-functional teams and business units.
Oversee engineering delivery and control-account management within sustainment and modification portfolios.
Provide regular technical briefings to senior Boeing leadership and external customers, addressing program status, risks, and technical challenges.
Identify and resolve production engineering issues by championing technical improvements that enhance product quality and reduce non-conformances.
Lead airworthiness modification team efforts and serve as primary liaison on military certification and regulatory coordination.
Manage proposal development activities including technical scope definition, labor estimating, and statement of work authoring.
Define, track, and analyze key performance indicators related to team utilization, throughput, and quality; implement process enhancements to improve efficiency.
Drive adoption of digital engineering tools and process integration (PLM, configuration management, automated health metrics).
To be considered for this position you will be required to complete an assessment as part of the selection process. Failure to complete the assessment will remove you from consideration.
Basic Qualifications:
Candidates must have at least one year of experience in a leadership role (team leader, temp manager, large scale cross functional project/program management, or formal manager experience) OR have completed the Boeing internal course Exploring Leadership”
10 years of experience across all phases of support equipment development lifecycle including design, development, production, acquisition, and sustainment
Experience with structural design principles for repair and maintenance (e.g., fatigue, damage tolerance, corrosion, stress analysis, statics, materials strength, material characteristics, repair techniques)
Experience working with aircraft Systems Integration such as avionics, flight controls and other mechanical systems.
Experience participating in the Engineering Non-Recurring Product Development process.
Experience managing cost and schedule performance using Earned-Value Management (EVM) principles.
Experience developing and maintaining relationships and partnerships with senior executives, customers, stakeholders, peers, and partners.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in military airworthiness processes, data rights defense, and certification coordination.
Expertise in production engineering processes including build-to-print release and factory liaison activities.
Background in digital engineering adoption including PLM and configuration management tools.
History of successful talent development and growing technical leadership within engineering teams.
Drug Free Workplace:
Boeing is 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.
Conflict of Interest:
Successful candidates for this job must satisfy the Company’s Conflict of Interest (COI) assessment process
GENERAL:
All information provided will be checked and may be verified.
Please apply ASAP for this role as recruitment may commence before the end date.
At Boeing, 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.
The Boeing Company also provides 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.
Salaries are based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
Summary pay range: 128,350 – 173,650
Language Requirements:
Not Applicable
Education:
Not Applicable
Relocation:
This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility.
Export Control Requirement:
This position must meet U.S. export control compliance requirements. To meet U.S. export control compliance requirements, a “U.S. Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.62 is required. “U.S. Person” includes U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.
Safety Sensitive:
This is not a Safety Sensitive Position.
Security Clearance:
This position requires the ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance for which the U.S. Government requires U.S. Citizenship. An interim and/or final U.S. Secret Clearance Post-Start is required.
Visa Sponsorship:
Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.
Contingent Upon Award Program
This position is not contingent upon program award
Shift:
Shift 1 (United States of America)
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Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
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