Jobs at Boeing in Oklahoma City: B-52 CERP, sustainment, and career guide
Jobs at Boeing in Oklahoma City: B-52 CERP, sustainment, and career guide
Oklahoma City is Boeing's sustainment headquarters and home to one of the company's most ambitious active programs: the B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement Program (CERP). With over 3,000 employees and active hiring driven by the CERP ramp-up, Boeing OKC is growing — not shrinking.
This guide covers the programs, roles, salaries, cost of living, and hiring process at Boeing's Oklahoma City campus.
Major programs at Boeing OKC
B-52 CERP (Commercial Engine Replacement Program)
The B-52 CERP is the headline program at OKC — a multi-billion dollar effort to re-engine all 76 B-52H Stratofortress bombers to extend their service life past 2060. Each aircraft gets:
- 8 new Rolls-Royce F130 engines replacing the 8 original TF33 turbofan engines (dating to the 1960s)
- New engine pylons and nacelles — the F130 is physically smaller than the TF33, requiring new mounting hardware
- Updated engine control systems — digital FADEC replacing analog controls
- Structural modifications — reinforcements for the new engine configuration
The program is worth an estimated $11.9 billion over its lifecycle (2026–2038). Low-rate initial production started in 2024, with the first re-engined B-52 expected to fly by 2027. Full-rate production will keep the OKC workforce busy through the late 2030s.
Why CERP matters for job seekers: This is a 12+ year production program in its early ramp-up phase. Boeing is actively hiring hundreds of additional engineers and technicians to support the growing workload.
Other major programs
| Program | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| B-1B Lancer | Depot maintenance, structural life extension | Active |
| KC-135 Stratotanker | Sustainment, avionics modernization | Active (fleet aging) |
| E-3 Sentry (AWACS) | Maintenance through retirement | Winding down (~2028) |
| Global sustainment & logistics | Supply chain, parts management, field support worldwide | Ongoing |
| E-7A Wedgetail | New AWACS replacement support | Growing |
The Tinker AFB connection
Boeing OKC works hand-in-hand with Tinker Air Force Base, the Air Force's largest depot maintenance facility. The two share a fence line — many Boeing employees have badges for both facilities. This co-location is precisely why Boeing chose OKC as its sustainment headquarters. Having the customer (Air Force) and contractor (Boeing) in the same location eliminates the logistics and communication overhead that plagues programs at other sites.
If you work at Boeing OKC, expect to spend time on Tinker AFB. The base houses the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex (OC-ALC), which manages sustainment for the B-52, B-1B, KC-135, E-3, and E-6B. Boeing employees regularly interface with military counterparts, attend program reviews at the base, and access aircraft in Air Force hangars.
Roles and salaries
Engineering
| Role | Salary Range | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Propulsion Engineer | $90,000–$145,000 | F130 engine integration, CERP |
| Structures Engineer | $85,000–$135,000 | Airframe modifications, fatigue analysis |
| Systems Engineer | $95,000–$150,000 | Avionics, flight controls, ECS |
| Electrical Engineer | $85,000–$140,000 | Wiring, power distribution |
| Manufacturing/Industrial Engineer | $80,000–$125,000 | Production floor optimization |
| Test Engineer | $85,000–$135,000 | Ground and flight test support |
| Software Engineer | $95,000–$145,000 | Mission systems, ground support |
Program management and business
| Role | Salary Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Program Manager | $110,000–$165,000 | Usually 10+ years experience |
| Project Engineer | $90,000–$130,000 | Technical lead for work packages |
| Contracts Administrator | $70,000–$105,000 | Government contract management |
| Business Analyst/FP&A | $75,000–$110,000 | Cost estimation, EVM |
| Supply Chain Manager | $80,000–$120,000 | Vendor management, procurement |
Technicians and mechanics
| Role | Hourly Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanic | $28–$42/hr | IAM union, A&P license preferred |
| Avionics Technician | $30–$45/hr | Military avionics experience valued |
| Sheet Metal Mechanic | $27–$40/hr | Structural repair and modification |
| Quality Inspector | $30–$42/hr | AS9100, DCMA liaison |
| Painter/Coatings | $25–$38/hr | Military specs (MIL-PRF) |
Security clearance
Most OKC positions require at least a Secret clearance. The B-52 CERP work is classified, and even maintenance roles need clearance to access the aircraft. Some systems engineering and program management roles require Top Secret. Boeing can sponsor clearances for new hires, but existing clearance holders move through the process faster.
Cost of living advantage
Oklahoma City is one of Boeing's most affordable locations. The cost of living difference versus coastal sites is dramatic:
Housing
| Metric | Oklahoma City | St. Louis | Long Beach, CA | Seattle Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $230,000 | $270,000 | $780,000 | $750,000 |
| 1BR rent | $950–$1,200 | $1,100–$1,400 | $2,100–$2,500 | $2,000–$2,600 |
| Property tax rate | ~0.9% | ~1.0% | ~0.75% | ~1.0% |
Taxes and take-home pay
| Factor | Oklahoma | Missouri | California | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top state income tax | 4.75% | 4.95% | 13.3% | 0% |
| Sales tax (OKC/city) | 8.625% | 8.6% | 9.5% | 10.25% |
An engineer earning $110,000 in OKC takes home significantly more disposable income than the same salary in Southern California or the DC area. Factor in housing costs, and the effective purchasing power difference is 40-60% in OKC's favor versus coastal locations.
Where Boeing employees live
| Area | Drive to Boeing/Tinker | Housing Style |
|---|---|---|
| Midwest City | 5–15 min | Close to base, affordable |
| Moore | 15–25 min | Family-friendly suburbs |
| Norman | 20–30 min | University town, restaurants |
| Edmond | 25–35 min | Upscale suburbs, good schools |
| Downtown OKC (Bricktown) | 15–20 min | Urban, walkable, nightlife |
OKC is in tornado alley. Severe weather season runs roughly April through June. Most homes have storm shelters or safe rooms, and the warning system is excellent. It's a legitimate consideration for people relocating from areas without severe weather, but locals are well-prepared and it rarely disrupts work schedules.
Getting hired at Boeing OKC
Boeing OKC listings appear under "Oklahoma City, OK" and sometimes "Tinker AFB, OK" on Boeing's careers portal.
Application tips
- Search for CERP keywords — "B-52," "CERP," "re-engine," "F130," and "sustainment" will surface the growth roles
- Highlight military experience — Veterans with maintenance backgrounds on B-52, B-1, KC-135, or similar platforms have a strong advantage
- Clearance status — Put your clearance level at the top of your resume if you have one
- Relocation — Boeing offers relocation packages for many engineering positions; ask your recruiter about the specific role
Interview process
| Step | Timeline | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Online application | Day 1 | Submit through Boeing careers |
| Recruiter screen | Days 5-10 | Phone call, 20-30 minutes |
| Technical interview | Days 10-20 | With hiring manager, 45-60 min |
| Panel interview | Days 15-25 | Some roles add a second round |
| Offer | Days 20-35 | Written offer with relocation details |
Veteran hiring
Boeing OKC is one of the best sites for military veterans. The Tinker AFB proximity means many local veterans already have relevant experience and active clearances. Boeing participates in SkillBridge internships (for active duty service members in their final 6 months) and actively recruits at military transition events.
Why OKC is growing
The B-52 CERP production ramp means OKC will need hundreds of additional workers over the next several years. This is rare in defense aerospace — a major modification program just entering full-rate production rather than winding down. Combined with OKC's low cost of living and proximity to the Air Force customer, this makes Boeing OKC one of the strongest value propositions in defense aerospace employment.
If you want to work on military aircraft modification with excellent purchasing power and long-term program stability, Oklahoma City deserves serious consideration.
Browse Boeing careers on Zero G Talent, or see our Boeing St. Louis guide and Boeing Long Beach guide.
