Aerospace & Defense

To Infinity & Beyond

Soar to New Career Heights

When it comes to aviation, we blow our competition out of the water. Recognized internationally as one of the aerospace hubs of the world, our state is rich with opportunities for the highest quality of education, upskilling and employment in aerospace and defense, building on a century-old history of excellence in the industry. Come home to Kansas, and let our love (and booming sector) take you higher and higher.

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Facts & Rankings

#3

Largest Concentration of Aviation Workers in the U.S.

Kansas Department of Commerce

$2.25B

in Annual Aerospace Exports

Site Selection Magazine

$7B

Contributed to the Kansas GDP by the Aerospace & Defense Industry

Site Selection Magazine

Air Capital

of the World since 1928 (Wichita)

Greater Wichita Partnership

Shoot For the Stars

Major Aerospace & Defense Companies

Kansas aerospace manufacturing comprises the top players in the business. If you’re looking for love, look no further than the following employers.

Spirit AeroSystems

Textron Aviation

Garmin

Bombardier Learjet

Atlas Aerospace

Honeywell International

Collins Aerospace

Raytheon Technologies

Airbus

Metal Finishing Co.

GE Aerospace

Safran

Learn From the Best

Kansas universities and research centers are recognized as some of the best in the world, providing first-class education and real-world expertise thanks to an environment made up of industry heavy-hitters. Wichita State University is home to the industry standards for training and education in aviation: the National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT). NCAT offers hands-on training courses for the aviation industry in manufacturing and mechanics, while their sister program their National Institute for Aviation Research is the largest applied aerospace research and academic institution in the nation. Plus, since 2015, WSU’s Innovation Campus has seen over $250 million in development from most of the sector’s big names, providing a space where university engineers and scientists can conduct public/private partnership.

The opportunities extend beyond the Air Capital of the World too. Find world-class programs at Kansas State University in Manhattan, the University of Kansas in Lawrence, and Washburn Institute of Technology in Topeka.

Salina is also home to the Aviation Innovation and Maintenance (AIM) Center of Excellence, a six-week pre-apprenticeship program that exposes interested participants to the dynamic world of aviation maintenance.

Abundant Opportunities with World-Renowned Employers

Ready for a fresh start or a career upgrade? Look no further than Kansas, where approximately one-third of all general aviation planes in the U.S. are manufactured. More than 450 aviation companies call our state home, including internationally recognized industry leaders like Bombardier Learjet, Textron Aviation and Spirit Aerosystems, the world’s largest tier-one aerostructures manufacturer. In 2021, the Department of Defense designated South Kansas as one of only 11 Defense Manufacturing Communities in the nation, recognizing the region’s global leadership in advanced aerospace manufacturing and national security innovation. From maintenance, repair and overhaul to engineering, robotics and research, there are hundreds of aerospace jobs in Kansas, and that number is only growing. Plus, through 2026, all qualifying new hires in the Kansas aviation sector are eligible for $5,000 per year as a state income tax credit through the statewide Aviation Tax Credits legislation. Join a world-class community of aerospace and defense and grow your career to new heights when you come home to Kansas.