Finance
Boeing plans to move 787 engineering work to South Carolina, union says
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on February 4, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 5, 2026
Quick Summary
Boeing's defense unit is laying off 300 supply-chain workers, with notifications to be sent this week. The layoffs are part of a restructuring effort.
Boeing plans to move 787 engineering work to South Carolina, union
Boeing's Engineering Job Consolidation
By Dan Catchpole
Impact on Washington State Workers
SEATTLE, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Boeing told employees last week that it plans to consolidate 787 engineering work in South Carolina as it ramps up production of its popular twin-aisle jet, the union representing its engineers said on Wednesday.
Details on Job Cuts in Defense Unit
It would mean moving about 300 jobs from Washington state, where engineers are represented by the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), to a non-union state, the union said.
Boeing's Workforce Strategy
Boeing's two contracts with about 16,000 SPEEA members in Washington expire in October.
Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Separately, Boeing's defense unit is cutting about 300 non-union supply chain jobs, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday, as the company continues to adjust its workforce.
Some of the laid-off workers could end up filling open jobs elsewhere in the company, said the person, who was not authorized to publicly speak about personnel matters.
"Boeing regularly evaluates and adjusts its workforce to stay aligned to our commitments to our customers and communities," a Boeing spokesperson said in an email.
The defense job cuts were first reported by Bloomberg News.
(Reporting by Aishwarya Jain in Bengaluru and Dan Catchpole in Seattle; Editing by Pooja Desai and Jamie Freed)
Key Takeaways
- •Boeing's defense unit is cutting 300 supply-chain jobs.
- •Affected employees will be notified this week.
- •The layoffs are part of a broader restructuring effort.
- •Bloomberg News reported the job cuts citing an insider.
- •The move reflects ongoing challenges in the defense sector.
Frequently Asked Questions about Boeing plans to move 787 engineering work to South Carolina, union says
1What is a supply-chain worker?
A supply-chain worker is an employee involved in the production and distribution of goods, ensuring that products are delivered efficiently from manufacturers to consumers.
2What is job creation?
Job creation refers to the process of generating new employment opportunities in an economy, often through business expansion, new ventures, or economic growth.
3What is a defense unit?
A defense unit is a division within a company, particularly in the aerospace and military sectors, that focuses on producing goods and services for national defense.
