Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Manager

01 & 04 Woodward, Inc.; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 116,000 - 186,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

401(k) match

Stock contribution

Tuition reimbursement

12 paid holidays

Medical, dental & vision insurance

Paid time off (vacation/sick) concern

Paid parental leave

Adoption Assistance

Employee Assistance Program

Life/AD&D / LTD / Optional Life

Flexible Spending benefits

Job summary

Woodward is seeking a senior engineering leader to drive design standards and improve product development velocity at our Rockford facility. You will coach staff, engage with teams, and ensure robust, compliant designs across the product life cycle.

You will develop budgets, allocate resources, and champion design for Six Sigma and lean practices to deliver high-quality energy control solutions in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Experience leading design teams in aerospace/energy sectors.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and devise resource plans.
• Knowledge of Design for Six Sigma and lean product development.

Responsibilities

• Drive Continuous Improvement: implement systemic improvements to enhance product development velocity and design culture.
• Go and See Leadership: engage with teams where the work happens and listen to understand needs.
• Coach and Mentor Staff: build trust and grow individuals via training matrices and performance reviews.
• Develop and Maintain Design Standards: create and improve standards for high-quality, compliant designs.
• Budget and Resource Management: develop and manage budgets and allocate resources to meet objectives.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Adaptability

Technical expertise

Continuous improvement

Communication

Strategic thinking

Risk management

Training & development

Budgeting & financial analysis

Tools

CAD systems

CAE systems

DFMEA

GD&T

Configuration management

ECR management

Testing methods

Job description

Woodward is committed to creating a great workplace for all team members. Our company and its members are committed to acting with integrity, being respectful and accountable to one another, and staying humble and driven, while maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards. We are steadfastly committed to attracting the best talent across our communities creating a rewarding workplace. Together we are fulfilling our purpose to design and deliver energy control solutions our partners count on to power a clean future.

Salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. Estimated annual base pay: $116,000 (minimum) - $151,000 (midpoint) - $186,000 (maximum)

Benefits

• All members included in annual cash bonus opportunity.
• 401(k) match (4.5%)
• Annual Woodward stock contribution (5%)
• Tuition reimbursement and Training/Professional Development opportunities for all members
• 12 paid holidays
• Industry leading medical, dental, and vision Insurance upon date of hire
• Vacation / Sick Time / Vacation Buy-up / Short Term Disability / Bereavement leave
• Paid parental leave
• Adoption Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program, including mental health benefits
• Member Life & AD&D / Long Term Disability / Member Optional Life
• Spouse / Child Optional Life / Optional AD&D / Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Voluntary benefits, including: Home / Auto Insurance discounts Whole Life Insurance / Critical Illness Insurance / Legal Assistance / Military Leave

Key Responsibilities

• Drive Continuous Improvement: Implement and support systemic and process improvements to enhance product development velocity, ensure robust design culture, and pursue better ways of working through learning, adapting, and driving measurable progress.
• Go and See Leadership: Actively engage with teams by showing up where the work happens, listening deeply, and understanding team needs to provide effective support.
• Coach and Mentor Staff: Build trust, empower team members, and provide feedback to grow individuals to their full potential while maintaining a highly skilled and adaptable team using talent management systems, training matrices, and performance reviews.
• Develop and Maintain Design Standards: Create, maintain, and improve design standards to ensure high-quality, compliant products while leveraging lessons learned to enhance future designs.
• Budget and Resource Management: Develop and manage budgets to align with profit planning activities, assign resources effectively to meet business needs, and achieve the company’s profitability objectives.

Key Skills

• Leadership and People Management: Strong leadership and motivational skills to coach, mentor, and empower individuals while fostering collaboration and teamwork.
• Adaptability and Learning Agility: Ability to adapt to changing environments, maintain a customer-focused mindset, and learn quickly to address emerging challenges.
• Technical Expertise: Proficiency in tools like CAD systems, CAE systems, design evaluation matrices, DFMEA, GD&T, configuration management, ECR management, and test methods.
• Continuous Improvement Knowledge: Expertise in Design for Six Sigma, lean product development, waste elimination, and structured problem-solving methods.
• Communication and Presentation Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present ideas clearly and effectively.
• Product Life Cycle Knowledge: Strong understanding of the product life cycle, including key deliverables and integration of lessons learned into future designs.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to align technical direction with corporate strategic goals, execute effectively, and drive meaningful progress.
• Risk Management: Superb skills in identifying, analyzing, and mitigating risks to ensure robust product designs.
• Training and Development: Skilled in creating training programs and maintaining training matrices to upskill staff to meet organizational needs.
• Financial Analysis and Budgeting: Strong understanding of financial analysis tools and the ability to manage budgets effectively to meet objectives.

Other Qualifications

Aken - Certified Technician/ Bachelor This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be U.S. Persons within the meaning of the ITAR and EAR, or eligible to obtain all required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce. The ITAR defines a U.S. Person as a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident (i.e., 'Green Card holder'), or a protected person (e.g., asylee, or refugee).

Woodward is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local laws.

What does it mean to be part of Woodward?

It means contributing to what matters most in your career, in your community and around the world. It means being a part of rewarding experiences, where innovation, collaboration and problem-solving are at the heart of what we do. Explore our open positions Woodward is the global leader in the design, manufacturing, and service of energy conversion and control solutions for the aerospace and industrial equipment markets. Together with our customers, we are enabling the path to a cleaner, decarbonized world. Our innovative fluid, combustion, electrical, propulsion and motion control systems perform in some of the world’s harshest environments. At Woodward we have created a culture that appreciates and values the contributions of every member. We are a global team of curious, innovative problem-solvers who commit our knowledge, resources and technical expertise to the challenges associated with reducing emissions, enabling alternative energy sources and increasing efficiency, always innovating for a better future. Woodward is working with our customers to solve some of the world’s biggest energy challenges. This important work needs more than just the brightest technical minds. It requires talented and committed manufacturing professionals, accountants, supply chain managers, human resources experts, information technology specialists and many more. We are looking for dedicated people who want to learn and grow in a supportive environment that fosters collaboration, innovation and inclusion.