Boeing careers in St. Louis MO in 2026: defense programs, salaries, and how to get hired
Boeing's St. Louis campus is the nerve center of the company's defense, space, and security division. Over 15,000 employees work here on some of the most advanced military aircraft in the world: the F-15EX Eagle II, the T-7A Red Hawk trainer, the MQ-25 Stingray unmanned tanker, and classified programs that do not appear on any public org chart. If you are exploring Boeing careers in St. Louis MO, this is the largest concentration of defense engineering talent in Boeing's portfolio.
This guide breaks down the programs, roles, pay ranges, and hiring process for Boeing careers in St. Louis in 2026.
What Boeing does in St. Louis
Boeing's St. Louis operations are headquartered at the historic McDonnell Douglas campus near Lambert International Airport. This site has been building military aircraft since the 1940s and remains one of the most important defense aerospace facilities in the United States.
Major programs
| Program | Type | Status in 2026 | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| F-15EX Eagle II | Fighter jet | Active production | Advanced 4.5-gen fighter for USAF and international customers |
| T-7A Red Hawk | Trainer jet | Low-rate initial production | Replacement for T-38, digital design approach |
| MQ-25 Stingray | Unmanned tanker | Development/early production | Carrier-based autonomous refueling drone for U.S. Navy |
| F/A-18 Super Hornet | Fighter jet | Production winding down | Service life extensions and international orders |
| EA-18G Growler | Electronic warfare | Sustainment | Electronic attack variant of Super Hornet |
| Classified programs | Various | Active | Advanced research and development |
Why St. Louis matters
St. Louis is to Boeing defense what Everett is to Boeing commercial: the flagship site. The F-15EX line is running at pace to meet orders from the U.S. Air Force and international buyers including Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and others. The T-7A program, though facing schedule challenges, represents Boeing's showcase for model-based systems engineering and digital thread manufacturing.
Types of Boeing careers in St. Louis MO
Engineering roles
Engineering is the largest professional category at Boeing St. Louis:
| Role | Typical Pay Range | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Aerospace/Structural Engineer | $80,000-$130,000 | Airframe design, stress analysis, composites |
| Avionics/Electrical Engineer | $82,000-$130,000 | Cockpit systems, radar, EW, wiring |
| Software Engineer | $85,000-$135,000 | Mission systems, flight software, simulation |
| Systems Engineer | $85,000-$130,000 | Requirements, integration, verification |
| Flight Test Engineer | $88,000-$130,000 | Test planning, data analysis, flight cards |
| Manufacturing Engineer | $75,000-$115,000 | Production processes, tooling, factory flow |
| Mechanical/Thermal Engineer | $78,000-$125,000 | Cooling systems, mechanical components |
| RF/Antenna Engineer | $85,000-$135,000 | Radar, communications, EW systems |
Manufacturing and production
| Role | Typical Pay Range | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanic | $24-$38/hr ($50K-$79K) | A&P preferred, military MOS valued |
| Assembler | $20-$32/hr ($42K-$67K) | Blueprint reading, hand tools |
| CNC Machinist | $25-$40/hr ($52K-$83K) | CNC programming, precision measurement |
| Composite Technician | $24-$36/hr ($50K-$75K) | Layup, autoclave, repair |
| Quality Inspector | $28-$42/hr ($58K-$87K) | NDT, mil-spec inspection standards |
| Paint/Coatings Specialist | $22-$34/hr ($46K-$71K) | LO coatings, controlled processes |
Program management and business
| Role | Typical Pay Range | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Program Manager | $105,000-$150,000 | F-15EX, T-7A, or MQ-25 execution |
| Technical Project Manager | $95,000-$130,000 | Engineering project leadership |
| Contracts Manager | $80,000-$115,000 | Government contracts, FAR/DFAR compliance |
| Business Development | $100,000-$145,000 | International defense sales, new capture |
| Supply Chain Manager | $80,000-$110,000 | Supplier management, logistics |
| Financial Analyst | $65,000-$100,000 | Program cost tracking, EACs |
Boeing St. Louis is where you go if you want to work on fighter jets and do not want to move to Fort Worth. The programs here span production, development, and advanced research all on one campus.
Salary and compensation in St. Louis
How Boeing St. Louis pay compares
| Role Level | Boeing St. Louis | Boeing Seattle | Boeing Charleston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Engineer | $78,000-$92,000 | $85,000-$100,000 | $75,000-$90,000 |
| Mid-Level Engineer | $100,000-$125,000 | $110,000-$135,000 | $95,000-$115,000 |
| Senior Engineer | $125,000-$155,000 | $135,000-$170,000 | $110,000-$140,000 |
| Production Worker | $22-$38/hr | $25-$42/hr | $22-$35/hr |
St. Louis salaries are 5-15% below Seattle but stretch significantly further due to the lower cost of living. A senior engineer at $140K in St. Louis has purchasing power comparable to someone at $190K+ in the Seattle metro.
Benefits
Boeing St. Louis employees receive the standard Boeing benefits package:
- 401(k) with 75% match on first 8% of contributions
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Tuition reimbursement up to $25,000/year
- 3 weeks PTO starting, increasing with tenure
- Employee stock purchase plan at 10% discount
- Relocation assistance for eligible positions
Security clearance requirements
Nearly every engineering and many production roles at Boeing St. Louis require a security clearance:
| Clearance Level | Percentage of Roles (Est.) | Typical Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Secret | ~60% | Most engineering, production, program management |
| Top Secret | ~20% | Advanced programs, Phantom Works, classified systems |
| TS/SCI with Poly | ~5% | Select intelligence-related programs |
| No clearance | ~15% | Some facilities, IT support, cafeteria, general admin |
U.S. citizenship is required for essentially all technical roles. Boeing will sponsor clearance processing for new hires, but the investigation takes 3-12 months depending on level.
How to apply for Boeing careers in St. Louis MO
Application steps
- Boeing careers site: Search boeing.com/careers with "St. Louis, MO" or "Berkeley, MO" as the location
- Resume optimization: Include relevant keywords from the posting. Boeing uses automated screening.
- Program familiarity: Mention the specific program (F-15EX, T-7A, MQ-25) you want to support if you have a preference
- Phone/video screen: Initial discussion with recruiter about experience and clearance status
- Technical interview: On-site or virtual interviews with hiring team. Defense engineering roles include technical problem-solving and behavioral (STAR format) questions.
- Offer: Contingent on background check, drug screening, and clearance (if applicable)
What makes you stand out
- Active security clearance: This alone can move you to the top of the pile
- Military experience: Boeing actively recruits veterans, especially those with aircraft maintenance or systems backgrounds
- Model-based systems engineering (MBSE): The T-7A program pioneered digital-first design at Boeing. Experience with MBSE tools (Cameo, Teamcenter, DOORS) is valuable.
- Fighter aircraft experience: If you have worked on F-15, F/A-18, or competitor platforms (F-16, F-35), your domain knowledge transfers directly
- Employee referral: Boeing's internal referral program gives referred candidates a meaningful advantage in screening
Living in the St. Louis area
Cost of living advantage
St. Louis has one of the lowest costs of living among major U.S. metro areas:
| Area | Median Home Price (2026 est.) | Commute to Boeing Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeton / Maryland Heights | ~$200,000 | 5-15 min |
| Florissant / Hazelwood | ~$170,000 | 10-15 min |
| Chesterfield / Creve Coeur | ~$350,000 | 20-25 min |
| Webster Groves / Kirkwood | ~$320,000 | 20-30 min |
| O'Fallon / St. Charles County | ~$280,000 | 25-35 min |
A Boeing engineer making $110,000 in St. Louis can comfortably afford a home, a family, and a quality of life that would require $160,000+ in coastal cities. This is one of the strongest arguments for Boeing St. Louis careers.
Quality of life
- Major professional sports (Cardinals, Blues, St. Louis City SC)
- Forest Park: 1,300 acres with free zoo, art museum, and science center
- Growing food and craft beer scene
- MetroLink light rail connects to Boeing campus area
- Lambert International Airport on site for travel convenience
Frequently asked questions
Is Boeing St. Louis hiring in 2026?
Yes. F-15EX production, T-7A ramp, MQ-25 development, and Phantom Works research all drive ongoing hiring needs in engineering, manufacturing, and program management.
What is the biggest program at Boeing St. Louis?
The F-15EX Eagle II production line is the largest active program. The T-7A Red Hawk and MQ-25 Stingray are also major programs based at the site.
Do all Boeing St. Louis jobs require a security clearance?
Most technical roles require at least a secret clearance. Some support and administrative roles do not. U.S. citizenship is required for nearly all positions at the site.
How does Boeing St. Louis compare to Lockheed Martin Fort Worth?
Both are major fighter jet production sites. Lockheed Fort Worth builds the F-35. Boeing St. Louis builds the F-15EX and T-7A. Pay is comparable, and both have extensive clearance requirements. St. Louis has a lower cost of living than the DFW metro.
Can new graduates get hired at Boeing St. Louis?
Yes. Boeing has a robust college hiring program and posts entry-level engineering positions annually. University career fairs at Missouri S&T, UIUC, Purdue, and Wash U are common recruiting channels.
Explore Boeing defense careers
Boeing St. Louis is the flagship site for defense aerospace careers. Browse all Boeing openings on Zero G Talent, or explore defense and security jobs, avionics roles, and flight software positions across the industry. Engineers interested in space programs can also check out roles at Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin.
