Manufacturing Engineer II

01 & 04 Woodward, Inc.; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 77,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match (4.5%)

Annual Woodward stock contribution (5)

Tuition reimbursement

12 paid holidays

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Vacation/Sick Time

Paid parental leave

Adoption Assistance

Employee Assistance Program

Life & AD&D / LT Disability

Referral bonus

Flexible Spending

Job summary

Woodward is seeking manufacturing professionals to support production at our Rockford, IL location, focusing on process improvements, capability analysis, and documentation with a move toward digital records.

Ideal candidates have a BS or 8+ years of experience, knowledge of Lean/APQP tools, and a track record of leading small projects. Woodward offers a comprehensive Total Reward package including 401(k) match, stock contribution, tuition reimbursement, holidays, and health benefits.

Qualifications

• 4 Year Bachelors BS OR 8+ years equivalent experience
• International - BS/University degree equivalent by Country OR 8+ years equivalent experience
• Aken - Certified Technician/ Bachelor

Responsibilities

• Production Support: Monitor production processes and identify inefficiencies through technical analysis. Implement small-scale process improvements, train operators on SOPs, and manage hardware disposition by evaluating defective or non-conforming hardware for repair, rework, or replacement.
• Manufacturing Process Ownership: Develop and maintain manufacturing processes for assigned areas, ensuring accuracy and consistency in workflows. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to refine process steps and improve production efficiency.
• Process Capability and Improvement: Analyze process capability using statistical tools like SPC, identifying opportunities for improvement and driving small-scale enhancements.
• Production Documentation Management: Create and refine production documentation to ensure alignment with manufacturing standards and compliance requirements. Begin transitioning documentation to digital platforms for improved accuracy, accessibility, and collaboration.
• Project Support and Leadership: Manage small-scale manufacturing projects, ensuring timelines, budgets, and deliverables are met under supervision.

Skills

Productivity Improvements

Data Analysis

Cost Optimization

Lean Manufacturing

DFMA

Mentorship

Education

BS or 8+ years experience

Tools

APQP Tools

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.

Woodward supports our members’ wellbeing and regularly benchmarks with other companies in our industry to offer an extensive Total Reward package for this position.

Salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Preferred Candidate Identified Estimated annual base pay: $77,000 (minimum) - $100,000 (midpoint) - $123,000 (maximum) 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, including floating 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
• Member referral bonus
• 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

• Production Support: Monitor production processes and identify inefficiencies through technical analysis. Implement small-scale process improvements, train operators on SOPs, and manage hardware disposition by evaluating defective or non-conforming hardware for repair, rework, or replacement.
• Manufacturing Process Ownership: Develop and maintain manufacturing processes for assigned areas, ensuring accuracy and consistency in workflows. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to refine process steps and improve production efficiency.
• Process Capability and Improvement: Analyze process capability using statistical tools like SPC, identifying opportunities for improvement and driving small-scale enhancements.
• Production Documentation Management: Create and refine production documentation to ensure alignment with manufacturing standards and compliance requirements. Begin transitioning documentation to digital platforms for improved accuracy, accessibility, and collaboration.
• Project Support and Leadership: Manage small-scale manufacturing projects, ensuring timelines, budgets, and deliverables are met under supervision.

Key Skills

• Productivity Improvements: Analyzes production process data to identify bottlenecks, waste, and inefficiencies. Implements small process changes and recommends improvements for throughput, reduce rework, and enhance productivity.
• Data Analysis: Analyze production data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and bottlenecks using tools like Pareto charts and process control charts.
• Conducting Cost Analysis and Optimization: Analyze manufacturing costs by evaluating material waste, labor efficiency, and equipment utilization. Perform detailed cost-benefit analyses to identify opportunities for cost savings and waste reduction.
• Lean Manufacturing: Implement Lean tools, such as Kaizen and Value Stream Mapping, for localized process improvements.
• Design for Manufacturability & Assembly: Apply DFMA principles to improve product manufacturability and assembly. Analyze designs for material selection, part count reduction, and ease of assembly, while collaborating with cross-functional teams to refine designs.
• Equipment: Assists in selecting equipment for specific operations, preparing purchase requests, and evaluating vendor proposals for return on investment and in alignment with capital equipment plans. Troubleshoots moderately complex equipment issues and supports maintenance teams to improve reliability
• Mentorship: Share foundational knowledge with peers and newer hires. Collaborate with others to support mutual learning and contribute to a positive team environment.
• Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Analyze production problems using structured methodologies (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone diagrams) to identify root causes.
• Knowledge of APQP Tools and Systems: Applies APQP tools to improve process stability and reliability. Supports tooling/fixturing refinements and analyzes process capability metrics (e.g., Cpk) to reduce variability and enhance performance.
• Communication and Collaboration Skills: Coordinate with cross-functional teams to align goals and share updates on manufacturing improvements.

Other Qualifications

• 4 Year Bachelors BS OR 8+ years equivalent experience
• International - Bachelors BS/University degree equivalent by Country OR 8+ years equivalent experience
• 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, and 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.

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.