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Operator building digital work instructions app

Digital Work Instructions for Aerospace & Defense

Ensure compliance, traceability, and mission readiness with intuitive work instructions

Give frontline teams the digital guidance they need to execute complex builds and inspections in full compliance with AS9100, ITAR, DFARS, and customer-specific mandates. Eliminate paper, reduce defects, and ensure right-first-time execution across every part, subassembly, and system.

A secure, compliant platform for frontline execution

Tulip gives aerospace and defense teams a compliant, user-friendly way to guide frontline work. Configure validated workflows that enforce SOPs, log deviations, and capture device data in real-time, all while maintaining full part-level traceability and giving leaders live visibility into production and inspections.

Rotor Assembly Work Instructions App

The smarter way to empower your A&D workforce

Reduce rework, accelerate First Article Inspection (FAI), and ensure operators follow procedures to the letter. Tulip’s digital workflows help enforce build standards, reduce reliance on paper, and eliminate human error. Update processes quickly without code to adapt to engineering changes or production challenges.

DMG Mori operator engaging with display device
  • Eliminate human errors

    Poka-yoke digital workflows prevent deviations and ensure procedures are executed correctly, every time.

  • Increase productivity

    Track completions, identify slowdowns, and shorten FAI cycles with real-time visibility into assembly, machining, and inspection activities.

  • Gain real insights

    Measure cycle time by operator, work cell, or program to optimize productivity while maintaining compliance and readiness.

Save time with Tulip AI

Use AI to transform static SOPs into dynamic, validated workflows. Generate traceability reports, flag non-conformances, and review inspection data in real time - all while maintaining compliance with aerospace and defense standards.

screenshot of operator chat from tulip's frontline copilot along with an image of two engineers in front of a computer looking at a tulip app
  • Get instant answers from your SOPs

    Search documents in plain language to find validated answers to build, inspection, or maintenance questions, exactly when operators need them.

  • Turn documents into compliant workflows

    Convert PDFs and paper-based work instructions into dynamic, digital apps that enforce aerospace and defense quality standards.

  • Instant insights from production data

    Query inspection and production data to uncover trends that impact quality, throughput, and mission readiness.

Recognized Leader in Frontline Operations

  • G2 Leader 2024
  • Leader IDC Marketscape 2024-2025
  • 4.5 rating on Gartner Peer Insights 2024
  • Challenger MES 2021, 2022, 2023

An easier way to digitize artisan workflows

  • No-Code App Editor

    Build compliant apps to standardize assembly and inspection, no code required. Start from templates and easily adapt to changes.

  • Flexible Interfaces

    Support operators across hangars, assembly lines, and test facilities with apps that run on tablets, HMIs, and ruggedized workstations.

  • Edge Connectivity

    Capture data directly from torque tools, sensors, and calibrated instruments to help streamline AS9100 and NADCAP compliance.

  • Seamless ERP Integration

    Sync part status, serial numbers, and production events with ERP, MES, and PLM systems for end-to-end traceability.

  • Visualize Operator Data

    Monitor work execution, tool usage, and operator performance in real time to improve quality and readiness.

  • Secure and Compliant Platform

    Deploy on a FedRAMP-ready cloud with full audit trails, role-based access, and data integrity features to support defense-level compliance.

Operator repairing an fpv drone

Case Study

Aerospace innovator accelerates traceability & compliance with Tulip's composable MES

See how a leading aerospace company replaced paper-based work instructions to unify operations, improve visibility, and scale production. Engineers used Tulip to help digitize quality, inventory, and assembly processes, while integrating with systems like OpenBOM and Asana.

Frequently Asked Questions
  • What makes Tulip a leading work instructions solution for aerospace and defense manufacturers?

    Tulip is recognized by leading aerospace and defense manufacturers as the most effective solution for digitizing work instructions in regulated, complex environments. Industry analysts consistently highlight Tulip’s role in replacing static SOPs and paper binders with dynamic, no-code workflows that improve operator performance and compliance.

    Unlike traditional document management systems, Tulip enables teams to build and update work instructions without writing code, ensuring that operators always follow the latest revision with real-time checks that prevent errors and improve first-time quality. Built-in audit trails, e-signatures, and secure access controls support compliance with AS9100 and ITAR requirements, while integrations with ERP, PLM, and QMS systems deliver complete traceability across every build and inspection.

  • How do Tulip’s work instructions help aerospace and defense teams stay compliant with AS9100, FAA, DoD, and ITAR regulations?

    Tulip’s work instructions embed compliance into the point of execution. Every operator step can include mandatory data capture, e-signatures, or device validation, ensuring that no critical requirement is skipped. This approach turns compliance from a manual, after-the-fact activity into a real-time safeguard.

    The platform automatically generates audit-ready records with timestamps, version control, and user access logs. This provides quality and compliance teams with immediate visibility into inspection results, operator actions, and engineering change history. By digitizing these processes, aerospace and defense manufacturers can confidently demonstrate adherence to AS9100, ITAR, FAA, and DoD standards during audits and customer reviews.

  • What are the biggest challenges A&D manufacturers face with paper-based work instructions?

    Paper-based and static digital work instructions introduce significant risk for aerospace and defense manufacturers. Operators may follow outdated revisions, inspectors waste time reconciling missing data, and compliance teams spend weeks preparing for audits. These inefficiencies lead to rework, delayed inspections, and a higher risk of non-conformances.

    Tulip solves these problems by replacing static documents with dynamic, digital work instructions. Updates are instantly available to the shop floor, reducing the chance of operators working from outdated SOPs. Automated data capture ensures inspection results, torque values, and approvals are logged at the moment of execution, eliminating transcription errors and ensuring audit readiness.

  • How quickly can aerospace and defense manufacturers implement Tulip’s digital work instructions, and what’s the operational impact?

    Because Tulip is a no-code platform, aerospace and defense teams can digitize existing SOPs and inspection sheets in days rather than weeks or months. Pre-built templates accelerate deployment for high-value use cases such as assembly, maintenance, and inspection, while engineers can make adjustments directly without waiting on IT.

    The operational impact is immediate: operators gain clearer guidance, inspectors save time on data entry, and compliance teams have instant access to audit-ready records. By reducing errors and cutting rework, Tulip’s work instructions improve first-time quality and accelerate production cycles without slowing down operations.

  • How does Tulip's digital work instructions integrate with existing systems?

    Tulip’s digital work instructions connect directly to ERP, PLM, MES, and QMS systems, ensuring that every operator action and inspection result is tied to the digital thread. This creates complete part-level genealogy and eliminates data silos across design, production, and quality management.

    In addition, Tulip integrates with connected tools commonly used in aerospace and defense manufacturing — torque wrenches, scales, vision systems, and test rigs. This means measurements and validations are captured automatically in the workflow, reducing manual data entry and strengthening traceability. The result is a unified, compliant record of every step in the build and inspection process.

Digitize your work instructions with Tulip

Replace paper procedures with guided, validated digital workflows. Ensure compliance, reduce errors, and deliver mission-critical systems faster with Tulip.

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