The Air Force announced last week it picked Boeing over rival Airbus to build 179 new planes that refuel other planes while flying. GE Aviation Systems in Grand Rapids will design and build computerized mission control systems for the planes – known as tankers.
GE Aviation Systems General Manager George Kiefer says the contract is a great opportunity for engineers at his company.
“Typically, you’ll end up with – during your career – two or three or four new aircraft programs like this, if you’re lucky.”
Kiefer says the Grand Rapids location will be able to maintain 100 engineering positions thanks to the contract. Over time he says the company will create another 50 jobs. Those new jobs will be spread amongst the group’s facilities in Grand Rapids, Florida and the United Kingdom.
