Mechanical Development Technician - 1st Shift

Woodward, Inc.; Loves Park (IL); On-site; USD 36,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual cash bonus

401(k) match 4.5%

Stock contribution 5%

Tuition reimbursement

Holidays

Medical/dental/vision

Paid time off

Parental leave

Adoption assistance

EAP & mental health

Life/AD&D/LTD

Referral bonus

Dependent Care FSA

Home/Auto insurance discounts

Military leave

Job summary

Woodward Inc. is hiring a 1st shift Mechanical Technician at our Rock Cut Campus to support production operations and drive process improvements. Candidates should have strong mechanical systems experience and be capable of troubleshooting and testing with guidance from engineering.

Join a team that emphasizes safety, quality, and continuous improvement, with comprehensive benefits and a generous total rewards program. ITAR/EAR compliance applies to all applicants.

Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace industry.
• Proficiency reading schematics and drawings.
• Ability to use measurement tools (calipers, micrometers).
• Experience with hydraulics and metal fabrication.

Responsibilities

• Assembly: Assemble components and systems with increasing complexity under minimal supervision. Modify and repair components as needed.
• Troubleshooting: Identify and propose solutions for moderately complex issues with components or systems.
• Testing: Conduct moderately complex tests and analyze results, reporting to engineering teams.
• Process improvement: Suggest improvements to existing processes and help document them.
• Team guidance: Act as a resource for entry-level technicians on tasks and safety.

Skills

Schematics reading

Measurement tools

Hydraulics

Metal fabrication

Aerospace experience

Reading drawings

Tools

Calipers

Micrometers

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.

• Estimated hourly base pay: $26.44 (minimum) - $34.62 (midpoint) - $42.31 (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, 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

Woodward is hiring for a 1st shift Mechanical Technician to join our Production Equipment department at our Rock Cut Campus. We’re looking for individuals with a strong background in mechanical systems to help us deliver high-quality solutions. As part of our team, you’ll play a key role in supporting production operations and driving process improvements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assembly: Assemble components and systems with increasing complexity. Modify and/or repair components under minimal supervision. Assist in troubleshooting issues.
• Problem Solving & Troubleshooting: Identify and propose solutions for moderately complex issues with components or systems. Collaborate with stakeholders and implement solution.
• Testing and Analysis: Conduct moderately complex tests on components and systems with some independence. Record and analyze test results and provide preliminary findings to engineering teams
• Process Improvement: Suggest improvements to existing processes or tools based on hands‑on experience. Participate in creating or updating process documentation.
• Team Leadership: Act as a resource for entry‑level technicians by guiding them on basic tasks and safety procedures.

Key Skills:

• Schematics and Drawings: Capable of independently reading and interpreting moderately complex schematics and drawings. Begins modifying drawings and schematics with guidance. Growing knowledge of assembly and testing processes and geometric tolerancing.
• Application and Field Use Knowledge: Solid understanding of deployed systems and component operation. Independently applies standard assembly and testing methodologies. Familiar with relevant industry standards.
• Communication: Develops clear written and verbal communication skills. Able to present findings to internal teams and contribute to discussions about test results. Occasional exposure to customer interactions.
• Team Leadership: Provides guidance to entry‑level technicians on basic tasks. Assists with organizing smaller projects.
• Process Improvement: participates in efforts to improve processes or tools. Suggests ideas to enhance efficiency and quality within established systems.
• Problem Solving: Independently solves moderately complex problems using basic troubleshooting techniques. Begins applying structured methods such as Root Cause Analysis with guidance.
• Assembly: Independently assembles and modifies moderately complex components and systems. Assists with improving assembly methods.
• Devices and Tools Used: Proficient in using a range of standard measurement devices for data acquisition and analysis. Begins designing basic fixturing or rigging equipment for assembly and testing.
• Principles & Data Review: Solid understanding of mechanical principles and their application in moderately complex systems. Independently conducts basic testing and data collection.
• Testing: Plans and executes moderately complex test strategies with minimal supervision. Provides preliminary analysis and feedback on test results.

Successful candidates typically have:

• Experience in aerospace industry
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting schematics and drawings
• Ability to use measurement tools, (i.e. calipers or micrometers)
• Experience and understanding of hydraulics and metal fabrication

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.