Boeing to Move 787 Engineering Work

Company prepares to ramp up production of the widebody aircraft.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, February 05, 2026 at 05:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Boeing employees build 787 jets at the company's Everett factory. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Boeing plans to relocate its 787 Dreamliner engineering work from Washington state to South Carolina, a move expected to affect approximately 300 Washington-based employees.
This decision aligns with Boeing's strategy to ramp up 787 production, including a new $1 billion final assembly line in Charleston, South Carolina, intended to double the site's capacity.
The transfer shifts engineering roles from union-represented workers in Washington to South Carolina, a state with significantly lower rates of union participation.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Boeing is reportedly planning to relocate engineering work on the 787 Dreamliner from Washington state to South Carolina.

The company informed employees of the decision in a meeting last week, according to Reuters. The move could affect about 300 Washington-based workers, whose roles would move to South Carolina.

In Washington, the engineers are represented by the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA).

Notably, South Carolina has much lower rates of union participation than the Pacific Northwest.

Boeing is planning to ramp up production of the 787 this year to meet high global demand. The company is building a second 787 final assembly line in Charleston, South Carolina, which could double production capacity for the site when completed. Boeing has said it will spend about $1 billion on the project.