Operation technician I/II (1st Shift)

01 & 04 Woodward, Inc.; Loves Park (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match (4.5%)

Annual stock contribution (5%)

Tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Parental leave

Life and disability insurance

Job summary

Woodward is hiring at Loves Park, IL for first shift, offering a structured production role with opportunities to contribute to a leading aerospace energy control solutions company. The job emphasizes following documented procedures, logging operations, quality inspections, and maintaining clean, safe work areas while supporting training and continuous improvement.

Level 1/2 responsibilities include operating multiple processes, ensuring data accuracy, and collaborating with teammates to meet

Qualifications

• Technical instructions and SOPs familiarity.
• Ability to identify gaps and escalate issues.
• Basic understanding of mechanical systems and tools.
• Clear communication with team and supervisors to support workflow.
• Strong time management to meet schedules.
• Lean practices like 5S and waste reduction.

Responsibilities

• Follows documented procedures to produce products using tools and equipment.
• Observes process variables and logs daily operations.
• Performs inspections and tests to verify quality.
• Keeps workstations clean and organized per 5S.
• Adheres to safety protocols and regulatory requirements.
• Follows standard operating procedures and raises concerns when needed.
• Supports training of other members and suggests improvements to standard work.
• Duties at Level 2 include training and continuous improvement opportunities.

Skills

Technical Capability

Critical Thinking

Mechanical Aptitude

Team Communication

Time Management

Lean Mindset

Production Systems

Computer Skills

Attention to Detail

Collaboration

Problem Resolution

Team Collaboration

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 Level 1: Estimated hourly base pay:$20.00 Level 2: Estimated hourly base pay: $23.50

Benefits below pertain to all levels listed

• 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
• Spouse / Child Optional Life / Optional AD&D / Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending
• Home / Auto Insurance discounts
• Whole Life Insurance / Critical Illness Insurance / Legal Assistance / Military Leave

Are you ready to take the next step in your career and make a lasting impact? Woodward, a global leader in aerospace innovation, is offering exciting opportunities at our Loves Park Campus on 1st shift (Mon-Fri 7am-3:30pm & overtime as needed) in Loves Park, IL. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting your career journey, we invite you to join a dynamic team that thrives in a challenging and rewarding environment. Explore your potential and contribute to cutting-edge advancements with one of the world’s foremost aerospace companies.

Mandatory training for first 2 weeks: M-F 7am-3:30pm Training starting week 3: M-F 7am-3:30pm

Level 1 Key Responsibilities

• Operations: Follows documented procedures to accurately and efficiently produce products using specified tools and equipment. Flexes and supports the full product line in various processes/ capacities.
• Process: Observes and records key process variables to ensure consistency and quality in operations. Accurately logs daily operations and resolves or escalates concerns. Follows standard operating procedures.
• Quality: Conducts inspections and tests to verify the accuracy and functionality of products and records and maintains data per operating standards.
• Organization & Cleanliness: Adheres to 5S principles by keeping workstations clean, organized, and free of unnecessary items. Follows established guidelines to ensure tools, materials, and equipment are properly stored and maintained.
• Safety Mindset: Adheres to all established safety protocols, procedures, and regulatory requirements; maintains mindfulness of self and surrounding work area to promote a safe working environment.

Level 1 Key Skills

• Technical Capability: Understands and follows basic technical instructions and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Critical Thinking: Identifies gap-to-standard and resolves or escalates them per standard processes/procedures.
• Mechanical Aptitude: Demonstrates basic understanding of mechanical systems and components. Uses hand tools and basic equipment safely and effectively. Can produce products and may perform basic setups of equipment.
• Team Communication: Communicates effectively with team members and supervisors to support workflow and escalates immediate issues. Adherence to Woodward's Core Values.
• Time Management: Effectively manages time to complete assigned tasks within established schedules. Adheres to individual schedule.
• Lean Mindset: Follows lean practices such as 5S and waste reduction. Participates in continuous improvement activities.
• Production Systems: Understands and adheres to standardized work and escalates when cannot be followed. Actively participates in the daily management system.
• Computer Skills: Uses basic software (e.g., email, spreadsheets, data entry tools) to complete tasks.
• Attention to Detail: Ensures precision in tasks to maintain high quality standards. Follows instructions precisely and checks work for accuracy.
• Collaboration: Works cooperatively with team members to support overall team objectives and workflow. Works well with team members and accepts feedback.

Level 2 Key Responsibilities

• Operations: Follows documented procedures, solves problems with known outcomes to meet standards, supports training of other members, and provides improvement opportunities to standard work. Flexes and supports the full product line in various processes/ capacities.
• Process: Maintains key process variables to ensure consistency and quality in operations. Accurately logs daily operations and resolves or escalates concerns. Follows standard operating procedures. Supports training of other members. Provides improvement opportunities to standard work.
• Quality Control: Participates to improve clarity and accuracy in documented processes and procedures.
• Organization & Cleanliness: Proactively applies 5S principles, identifies opportunities to improve workstation organization and cleanliness, and ensures compliance with team standards. Assists in implementing new organizational practices as directed.
• Safety Mindset: Encourages adherence to safety protocols within the team.

Level 2 Key Skills

• Technical Capability: Understands and follows technical instructions and standard operating procedures (SOPs). Troubleshoots routine technical product issues.
• Problem Resolution: Identifies gap-to-standard and resolves or escalates them per standard processes/procedures. Analyzes problems, proposes solutions, and implements corrective actions with minimal supervision.
• Mechanical Aptitude: Demonstrates understanding of mechanical systems and components. Uses hand tools and equipment safely and effectively. Can produce products and setup equipment to support varying processes.
• Team Communication: Communicates effectively with team members and supervisors to support workflow and escalates immediate issues. Demonstrates Woodward's Core Values.
• Time Management: Proactively prioritizes time to complete assigned tasks within established schedules. Drives to maintain efficiency standards.
• Lean Mindset: Follows lean practices such as 5S and waste reduction. Participates in continuous improvement activities. Identifies inefficiencies and suggests improvements.
• Production Systems: Understands and adheres to standardized work and escalates when cannot be followed. Actively participates in the daily management system.
• Computer Skills: Uses basic software (e.g., email, spreadsheets, data entry tools) to complete tasks.
• Attention to Detail: Ensures precision in tasks to maintain high quality standards. Follows instructions precisely and checks work for accuracy.
• Collaboration: Works cooperatively with team members to support overall team objectives and workflow. Works well with team members and accepts feedback. Collaborates across teams, shares knowledge, and supports team goals.

Additional Information

Moderate physical activity requiring agility and dexterity, including walking, standing, or bending; and lifting or moving objects. Work is performed in an area with moderate risk or discomfort that may require special safety precautions, such as wearing protective clothing or gear. May be required to pass Near Vision and/or Color Vision examinations.

Successful Candidates Typically Have

• Effective time management and organizational abilities
• Problem-solving mindset with critical thinking skills
• Willingness to embrace change and adapt to new environments
• Keen attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

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.

Hone operations 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.