Flightline Operations Manager-KC46 Tanker
The Boeing Company, Tukwila, WA, United States
Job Description
Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS)
is hiring a
Flightline Operations Manager (Level K)
to join our team located in
Tukwila, WA . Join the dynamic BDS KC-46 team delivering Tanker aircraft directly to the Warfighter. As Flight Line Manager, you’ll lead teams performing final acceptance activities on the flight line, coordinating with our USAF customer to ensure aircraft meet strict safety, quality, and contract requirements.
Why this role stands out
Directly support the Warfighter by ensuring aircraft are delivered mission capable.
High-visibility, hands-on leadership working with USAF and Boeing stakeholders.
Real-time problem solving under tight schedules.
Key responsibilities
Promote the Boeing Values and Behaviors and champion a Positive Safety Culture.
Coordinate pre-flight inspections, functional checks, and final Delivery flight.
Lead technicians, resolve technical issues, and ensure compliance with flight release procedures.
Facilitate and develop continuous improvement activity and participate in RCCA.
Ideal candidates will have experience and ability with
Aircraft delivery, flight line, or test experience (military or industry).
Strong technical and communication skills; decisive under pressure.
Flexible schedule and readiness to travel as needed.
Make an immediate impact ensuring mission-ready aircraft leave our flight line.
Position Responsibilities
Ensures that air vehicles are completed and pass certification for airworthiness by overseeing final component installation, systems operation functional testing, modification, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, preflight and postflight checks, release for flight, and preparation for delivery.
Interfaces with flight crews, engineering, management, suppliers, and customers to meet product requirements and ensure customer acceptance.
Develops and executes project and process plans, implements policies and procedures and sets operational goals.
Acquires resources for projects and processes, provides technical management of suppliers and leads process improvements. Develops and maintains relationships and partnerships with customers, stakeholders, peers, partners and direct reports.
Provides oversight and approval of technical approaches, products and processes.
Manages, develops and motivates employees.
Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience)
Ability to work any shift and travel based on the needs of the operation
Willingness to work overtime and weekends
3+ years of flight line operations experience
3+ years of experience working on mid to large complex programs; ideally within defense and/or aerospace
3+ years of experience leading a cross-functional team
1+ year of experience interfacing with U.S. Government customers
Strong communication skills & ability to interface with senior-level executives
Experience with working to lead and develop teams to execute to safety, quality, delivery & cost commitments, and utilizing the One Boeing Production System
Active passport or ability to obtain
Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience)
Bachelor’s degree or higher
A&P License preferred
Ability to navigate ambiguity and a continually changing environment
Strong leadership skills, the ability to create and deploy shared vision and strategic plans
Effective change leader; builds trust across diverse teams.
Advanced knowledge of work performed by various Operations departments and the interactions between various disciplines (i.e. Engineering, Facilities, Supplier Management, Program Management)
Relates well to manufacturing workforce when leading the organization, develop people and create a team environment
Experienced in mentoring and developing leaders
Ability to build an environment of inclusion, transparency and trust
Conflict of Interest
Successful candidates for this job must satisfy the Company’s Conflict of Interest (COI) assessment process.
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.
Additional Information
This position requires travel up to 10% of the time
Shift
There may be additional shift requirements to support program objectives
Relocation
This position is located in a location that does not offer relocation. Candidates must live in the immediate area or relocate at their own expense
Total Rewards
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.
Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
Summary pay range: $119,850 – $162,150 USD
Applications for this position will be accepted until
May. 05, 2026
Export Control and Compliance
Export Control Requirements:
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.
Export Control Details:
US based job, US Person required
Security and Visa
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.
Equal Opportunity
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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS)
is hiring a
Flightline Operations Manager (Level K)
to join our team located in
Tukwila, WA . Join the dynamic BDS KC-46 team delivering Tanker aircraft directly to the Warfighter. As Flight Line Manager, you’ll lead teams performing final acceptance activities on the flight line, coordinating with our USAF customer to ensure aircraft meet strict safety, quality, and contract requirements.
Why this role stands out
Directly support the Warfighter by ensuring aircraft are delivered mission capable.
High-visibility, hands-on leadership working with USAF and Boeing stakeholders.
Real-time problem solving under tight schedules.
Key responsibilities
Promote the Boeing Values and Behaviors and champion a Positive Safety Culture.
Coordinate pre-flight inspections, functional checks, and final Delivery flight.
Lead technicians, resolve technical issues, and ensure compliance with flight release procedures.
Facilitate and develop continuous improvement activity and participate in RCCA.
Ideal candidates will have experience and ability with
Aircraft delivery, flight line, or test experience (military or industry).
Strong technical and communication skills; decisive under pressure.
Flexible schedule and readiness to travel as needed.
Make an immediate impact ensuring mission-ready aircraft leave our flight line.
Position Responsibilities
Ensures that air vehicles are completed and pass certification for airworthiness by overseeing final component installation, systems operation functional testing, modification, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, preflight and postflight checks, release for flight, and preparation for delivery.
Interfaces with flight crews, engineering, management, suppliers, and customers to meet product requirements and ensure customer acceptance.
Develops and executes project and process plans, implements policies and procedures and sets operational goals.
Acquires resources for projects and processes, provides technical management of suppliers and leads process improvements. Develops and maintains relationships and partnerships with customers, stakeholders, peers, partners and direct reports.
Provides oversight and approval of technical approaches, products and processes.
Manages, develops and motivates employees.
Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience)
Ability to work any shift and travel based on the needs of the operation
Willingness to work overtime and weekends
3+ years of flight line operations experience
3+ years of experience working on mid to large complex programs; ideally within defense and/or aerospace
3+ years of experience leading a cross-functional team
1+ year of experience interfacing with U.S. Government customers
Strong communication skills & ability to interface with senior-level executives
Experience with working to lead and develop teams to execute to safety, quality, delivery & cost commitments, and utilizing the One Boeing Production System
Active passport or ability to obtain
Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience)
Bachelor’s degree or higher
A&P License preferred
Ability to navigate ambiguity and a continually changing environment
Strong leadership skills, the ability to create and deploy shared vision and strategic plans
Effective change leader; builds trust across diverse teams.
Advanced knowledge of work performed by various Operations departments and the interactions between various disciplines (i.e. Engineering, Facilities, Supplier Management, Program Management)
Relates well to manufacturing workforce when leading the organization, develop people and create a team environment
Experienced in mentoring and developing leaders
Ability to build an environment of inclusion, transparency and trust
Conflict of Interest
Successful candidates for this job must satisfy the Company’s Conflict of Interest (COI) assessment process.
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.
Additional Information
This position requires travel up to 10% of the time
Shift
There may be additional shift requirements to support program objectives
Relocation
This position is located in a location that does not offer relocation. Candidates must live in the immediate area or relocate at their own expense
Total Rewards
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.
Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
Summary pay range: $119,850 – $162,150 USD
Applications for this position will be accepted until
May. 05, 2026
Export Control and Compliance
Export Control Requirements:
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.
Export Control Details:
US based job, US Person required
Security and Visa
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.
Equal Opportunity
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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr