When you board an airplane, you might not think about the manufacturing skills it takes to make the seats, overhead bins, and lighting. But for Safran Cabin | Northwest Aerospace Technologies (NAT), this is the heart of what they do. Safran specializes in the design and manufacturing of interior components for aircraft, serving airlines worldwide.
With a 25-year presence in Washington state, Safran has grown to a 220-person company. And they’re looking for skilled workers to help drive their future. Safran needs talent in various areas, from warehousing and inventory management to manufacturing structural components, electrical, and even manufacturing airplane furniture. Beyond technical skills, Safran looks for new employees who are curious and want to learn, possess strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.
Core Plus Aerospace Graduates Stand Out
Safran currently has entry-level positions like, assembly mechanic, that align with the skills students learn in the Core Plus Aerospace curriculum. These entry-level positions offer clear career pathways to roles in engineering, project management, and more.
“We’re looking for people with the skills that Core Plus Aerospace students graduate high school with and who are eager to learn,” says Phil Chan, Director of Operations at Safran. “Whether you’re just starting your career after high school or pivoting from another career, there are opportunities to grow at Safran.”
Careers at Safran also offer workers exposure to multiple types of manufacturing and new projects every few months.
“Here, you get to work on different projects and gain a broad skill set,” Phil said. “This dynamic environment makes Safran a great fit for Core Plus Aerospace graduates because they already have hands-on experience with many of the things they’ll be working on.”
For students considering a career in manufacturing, Phil recommends, that they should be curious, explore their interests, and take advantage of the many growth and development opportunities in the aerospace manufacturing industry.
A Bright Future for Aerospace Manufacturing
Phil sees strong career prospects for new graduates. As older workers retire, companies like Safran need fresh talent to fill the gap.
“The opportunities are there,” he says. “The aerospace ecosystem in the Pacific Northwest is strong. Whether it’s Boeing, Safran, or new startups, there’s always demand for skilled workers.”