I've been in recruiting for a decade, and I've seen enough Boeing phone screen feedback to give you a useful picture. A few colleagues have worked Boeing's contractor pipeline, and I've placed engineers there. Here's what the recruiter call actually covers.
First: Boeing recruiters are often internal HR, not technical people. Don't go in expecting a peer-level conversation about distributed systems. That comes later.
What the phone screen is actually checking: Eligibility and location. Boeing does a lot of defense work and some roles require U.S. citizenship or clearance eligibility. They will ask about this early, directly, and it's non-negotiable for certain teams. Don't be surprised if it's the second question. Work authorization. Related to the above but distinct for non-defense roles. They want to know if they need to sponsor and what your current status is. Salary expectations. They ask early. Have a number. Their ranges are real and they won't waste your time (or theirs) if you're way off. Resume walkthrough. They'll hit the highlights: what you did at each job, why you're leaving or left, why Boeing. The 'why Boeing' question matters more here than it does at a startup. They look for people who've thought about what working in aerospace means. Availability and logistics. Boeing's process can take 4-8 weeks. They want to know if you have other offers closing soon.
Honest tip: the recruiter call is a filter, not a sell. Be clear and organized. Know your own resume. Have a salary target ready. And if the role requires clearance, know your own eligibility status before you pick up the phone.
You'll hear from the hiring manager or technical screen team within a week if you pass.