Manufacturing Engineer - Small Parts Cell

01 & 04 Woodward, Inc.; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 64,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Stock contribution program

Tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays

Medical/dental/vision

Job summary

Woodward, Inc. is seeking manufacturing professionals in Rockford, IL, to support production operations and process improvement initiatives.

The role involves assisting with manufacturing processes, documenting workflows, and tracking project milestones in a collaborative environment. The position emphasizes lean manufacturing principles, data analysis, and teamwork to drive efficiency and quality across production lines.

Qualifications

• 4 Year Bachelors BS OR 6+ years equivalent experience.
• ITAR/EAR compliance required; U.S. Persons as defined by ITAR/EAR.
• Equal opportunity employer and inclusive culture.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to troubleshoot basic process issues and assist operators in maintaining workflows.
• Assist in creating and documenting basic manufacturing processes reflecting production requirements.
• Collect data to evaluate process capability and identify minor issues in production.
• Assist in maintaining and updating production documentation including SOPs and process flow diagrams.
• Track project milestones, maintain documentation, and support basic project tasks.

Skills

Productivity improvements

Data analysis

Lean manufacturing

DFMA

Equipment basics

Mentorship

Problem solving

APQP tools

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or 6+ years experience

Job description

Company Culture

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.

Estimated annual base pay: $64,000 (minimum) - $84,000 (midpoint) - $104,000 (maximum)

All Levels are eligible for the benefits below:

• 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
• 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: Provide technical support to troubleshoot basic process issues and assist operators in maintaining workflows. Document downtime trends and evaluate defective hardware for basic disposition actions such as rework or scrap.
• Manufacturing Process Ownership: Assist in creating and documenting basic manufacturing processes, ensuring workflows are captured accurately and reflect production requirements.
• Process Capability and Improvement: Collect data to support evaluations of process capability and identify minor issues in production processes.
• Production Documentation Management: Assist in maintaining and updating production documentation, including SOPs, process flow diagrams, and basic work instructions. Ensure documentation is organized and accessible.
• Project Support and Leadership: Tracking project milestones, maintaining documentation, and supporting basic project tasks.

Key Skills

• Productivity Improvements: Assists in identifying inefficiencies in manufacturing operations by collecting data (e.g., cycle times, scrap rates, setup times) and supporting small-scale process improvement initiatives under supervision.
• Data Analysis: Collect and organize data related to production processes, such as cycle times, throughput, and downtime, using spreadsheets or basic tools. Conducting Cost Analysis and Optimization: Collect production data on labor, material usage, and machine downtime to support cost analysis and basic cost-benefit calculations for manufacturing decisions.
• Lean Manufacturing: Learn basic Lean principles, such as 5S and waste identification, and apply them to small tasks.
• Design for Manufacturability & Assembly: Learn basic DFMA principles and assist in design reviews to identify manufacturability issues. Collaborate with design teams to collect data and document feedback on product designs.
• Equipment: Learns the basics of equipment selection, troubleshooting, and maintenance processes. Assists in evaluating equipment specifications, performing basic troubleshooting tasks, and documenting equipment performance under supervision.
• Mentorship: Learn from senior engineers by actively seeking guidance and feedback to improve technical and interpersonal skills. Focus on understanding processes and building foundational expertise.
• Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking : Identify basic issues in manufacturing workflows and propose simple solutions.
• Knowledge of APQP Tools and Systems: Learns the basics of APQP tools and systems, focusing on process control and product quality. Assists in monitoring process capability and supporting tooling/fixturing evaluations and documentation updates.
• Communication and Collaboration Skills: Communicate findings effectively and work collaboratively with other roles.

Other Qualifications: 4 Year Bachelors BS OR 6+ years equivalent experience

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.

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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.

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.