Top 10 Aviation & Aerospace Jobs in Wichita for 2026

Known as the “Air Capital of the World,” Wichita continues to lead the aviation and aerospace industry in 2026. With major OEMs, suppliers, maintenance centers, defense contracts, and emerging space technologies concentrated in the region, demand for aerospace talent remains strong. From engineering and manufacturing to data and avionics, companies in Wichita are hiring skilled professionals to support commercial aircraft programs, defense platforms, and next-generation aerospace innovations.

Here are the Top 10 Aviation & Aerospace Jobs in Wichita for 2026 — each with a role overview, salary insights, and hiring sectors.

1. Aerospace Engineer – Design & Systems

Aerospace Engineers in design work on aircraft structures, systems, propulsion integration, and aerodynamics. They help bring new aircraft programs and defense platforms from concept to production readiness.

Salary Range: $95,000–$145,000+
Hiring: Textron Aviation, Boeing suppliers, Gulfstream suppliers

2. Systems Integration & Test Engineer

Systems Integration Engineers validate complex subsystems (avionics, flight controls, power systems) working together, ensuring compliance with safety and performance standards.

Salary Range: $100,000–$150,000+
Hiring: Major OEMs, defense platforms, aerospace R&D labs

3. Avionics / Embedded Software Engineer

Avionics Engineers build and optimize systems used in navigation, communication, displays, and flight controls. Embedded Software Engineers focus on real-time software for those systems.

Salary Range: $105,000–$155,000+
Hiring: Avionics OEMs, embedded systems firms, defense integrators

4. Manufacturing / Production Engineer – Aerospace

Manufacturing Engineers optimize processes, tooling, fixtures, and workflows to produce aircraft components efficiently and at high quality. In Wichita’s production ecosystem, this role is central.

Salary Range: $90,000–$135,000+
Hiring: Aerospace OEMs, contract manufacturers, precision machining firms

5. Quality Assurance / Quality Systems Engineer

QA Engineers and Quality Systems Engineers ensure products and processes meet regulatory and industry standards (AS9100, ISO). They support certification, corrective actions, and continuous improvement.

Salary Range: $85,000–$130,000+
Hiring: OEM quality teams, aerospace suppliers, certification support firms

6. Propulsion & Powerplant Engineer

Engineers focusing on propulsion and powerplant systems design, test, and optimize engines, auxiliary power units (APUs), and thrust systems — essential for commercial and defense aircraft.

Salary Range: $100,000–$150,000+
Hiring: Engine manufacturers, aerospace test labs, defense primes

7. Aerospace Data/Analytics Engineer

Data/Analytics Engineers work with production, quality, performance, and operational data to provide insights and predictive models — improving safety, reliability, and efficiency.

Salary Range: $95,000–$140,000+
Hiring: Digital aerospace firms, lean manufacturing programs, analytics consultancies

8. Avionics / Aircraft Maintenance Technician (A&P)

Highly skilled A&P (Airframe & Powerplant) Technicians perform inspections, repairs, and scheduled maintenance on aircraft systems. Wichita’s MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul) business depends on these technicians.

Salary Range: $65,000–$100,000+
Hiring: MRO facilities, OEM service centers, commercial operators

9. Aerospace Cybersecurity Specialist

Cybersecurity Specialists protect flight-control systems, avionics networks, manufacturing environments, and supply chains from threats — a growing priority as aerospace systems become more connected.

Salary Range: $110,000–$160,000+
Hiring: Defense integrations, avionics security teams, aerospace IT groups

10. Program Manager – Aerospace Programs

Program Managers oversee large aircraft development, test, and production programs — coordinating engineering, schedules, budgets, suppliers, and compliance.

Salary Range: $115,000–$175,000+
Hiring: Aircraft OEMs, systems integrators, defense platform teams

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