Operations (Mfg) Specialist AWS

Woodward, Inc.; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 31,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Stock contribution

Tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays

Medical insurance

Parental leave

Adoption Assistance

Employee Assistance Program

Life/AD&D

Job summary

Woodward, Inc. in Rockford, IL is seeking manufacturing professionals for LEVEL II and LEVEL III roles focused on technical processes, continuous improvement, and quality. You will support operations, mentor teammates, and contribute to efficient daily production in a Lean, ERP-driven environment.

These positions offer competitive base pay within defined level bands, with shift differential and overtime. ITAR/EAR compliance applies and U.S. persons are required.

Qualifications

• Advanced understanding of complex manufacturing processes and quality standards.
• Experience with root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and BOMs with attention to accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Execute Technical Processes to maintain daily operations across processes.
• Drive Continuous Improvement and apply new approaches to improve effectiveness.
• Perform Quality activities including root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Resolve Complex Issues using a systematic problem-solving approach.
• Demonstrate Safety Mindset and uphold safety protocols.

Skills

Technical Knowledge

Analytical Skills

Mechanical Aptitude

Communication

Time Management

Lean Mindset

Production Systems

Computer Skills

Detail-Oriented

Collaboration

Tools

ERP Systems

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.

LEVEL II

• Estimated annual base pay: $31.25(minimum) - $40.38(midpoint) - $50.00(maximum) Plus shift differential and overtime

LEVEL III

• Estimated annual base pay: $35.58(minimum) - $46.15(midpoint) - $56.73(maximum) Plus shift differential and overtime

All levels eligible for the following 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
• 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

Work shift: AWS (Friday - Sunday) from 3:00am - 3:30pm

LEVEL II

Key Responsibilities:

• Execute Technical Processes: Implements and maintains technical procedures to ensure efficient daily operations in multiple areas/processes.
• Continuous Improvement: Determines and applies appropriate approaches for new assignments and enhances existing methodologies to improve effectiveness.
• Quality: Timely disposition and applies complex root cause analysis for production problems. Implements corrective actions across similar processes to prevent recurrence.
• Resolve Complex Issues: Utilizes a common systematic approach in problem solving to provide solutions for atypical or infrequent operational problems based on established guidelines.
• Safety Mindset: Adheres to, actively supports, and implements improvements to established safety protocols, procedures, and regulatory requirements; maintains mindfulness of self and surrounding work area to promote a safe working environment.

Key Skills:

• Technical Knowledge: Advanced understanding of complex manufacturing processes (e.g., CNC machining, precision assembly, or test equipment). Knowledge of AS9100 or ISO 9001 quality standards. Utilizes advanced blueprint and GD&T understanding to suggest improvements to engineering drawings, BOMs, and specifications.
• Analytical Skills: Expertise in applying analytical methodologies to operational processes. Experience with process mapping, value stream analysis, and root cause tools (5 Whys, Fishbone diagrams). Supports continuous improvement initiatives.
• Mechanical Aptitude: Utilize advanced understanding of manufacturing processes (mechanical disassembly/reassembly, CNC machine operations, testing) to support and mentor operations members. Advanced skill with mechanical tools and measurement instruments and mechanical components. Understanding how tooling impacts repeatability, precision, and cycle time. Advanced knowledge of mechanical techniques and processes.
• Communication: Communicates actively with all key stakeholders to support workflow and drive resolution to immediate issues. Clearly conveys (verbal and written) advanced technical information and ideas effectively across teams and departments throughout the organization. Demonstrates Woodward's Core Values
• Time Management: Prioritizes tasks effectively to meet deadlines and manage workload efficiently. Manages multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and alignment with objectives.
• Lean Mindset: Identifies opportunities to enhance operational workflows and implements effective solutions. Participation in improvement projects to solve complex manufacturing issues. Ability to quantify impact (e.g., cost savings, productivity gains, quality improvements).
• Production Systems: Champions standardized work and provides timely support to production escalations. Actively participates in the daily management system. Advanced knowledge in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and production softwares and tools to aid in analysis of problems.
• Computer Skills: Advanced ability to use basic software (e.g., email, spreadsheets, data entry tools) to complete tasks. Proficiency in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
• Detail-Oriented: Ability to review and maintain BOMs. Improve work instructions and process documentation with a high level of accuracy.
  Skilled in interpreting engineering drawings and ensuring alignment with production specs. Proactively Identifies and corrects minor deviations before they escalation into major issues.
• Collaboration: Works cooperatively with team members to support overall team objectives and workflow. Works well with others and accepts feedback. Collaborates across teams, shares knowledge, and supports team goals. Facilitates team discussions.

LEVEL III

Key Responsibilities:

• Technical Management: Applies specialized expertise to execute and oversee complex operational processes and mentor others.
• Continuous Improvement: Develops and integrates pioneering methodologies and transformative strategies to radically elevate and redefine existing manufacturing processes.
• Quality: Timely disposition and apply complex root cause analysis for production problems. Designs and implements innovative corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Resolve Complex Issues: Facilitates a cross-function team with a systematic approach in problem solving to provide solutions for atypical or infrequent operational problems based on established guidelines.
• Safety Mindset: Designs and implements improvements to established safety protocols, procedures, and regulatory requirements; maintains mindfulness of self and surrounding work area to promote a safe working environment.

Key Skills:

• Technical Knowledge: Expert level understanding of complex manufacturing processes (e.g., CNC machining, precision assembly, or test equipment). Knowledge of AS9100 or ISO 9001 quality standards. Utilizes expert level blueprint and GD&T understanding to aid in design of engineering drawings, new development, BOMs, and specifications.
• Analytical Skills: Expertise in applying analytical methodologies to operational processes. Experience with process mapping, value stream analysis, and root cause tools (5 Whys, Fishbone diagrams). Capability to identify opportunities and drive continuous improvement initiatives to completion.
• Mechanical Aptitude: Utilize expert understanding of manufacturing processes (mechanical disassembly/reassembly, CNC machine operations, testing) to support and mentor operations members. Advanced skill with mechanical tools and measurement instruments and mechanical components. Understanding how tooling impacts repeatability, precision, and cycle time. Designs improvements to mechanical techniques and processes.
• Communication: Leads effective communication with all levels to support workflow and influences decision making. Clearly conveys (verbal and written) advanced technical information and ideas effectively across teams and departments throughout the organization. Champions Woodward's Core Values
• Time Management: Prioritizes tasks effectively to meet deadlines and manage workload efficiently. Manages multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and alignment with objectives.
• Lean Mindset: Identifies opportunities to enhance operational workflows and implements effective solutions. Participates and may lead improvement projects to solve complex manufacturing issues. Strategic deployment of Lean methodologies to align with organizational goals. Ability to quantify impact (e.g., cost savings, productivity gains, quality improvements) and drive project execution.
• Production Systems: Champions standardized work and provides timely support to production escalations. Actively participates in the daily management system. Expert level in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and production software and tools to aid in analysis of complex problems.
• Computer Skills: Advanced ability to use basic software (e.g., email, spreadsheets, data entry tools) to complete tasks. Advanced proficiency in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
• Detail-Oriented: Ability to review and maintain BOMs. Design and create complex work instructions and process documentation with a high level of accuracy.
  Advanced knowledge of engineering drawings and creating alignment with production specs. Design and eliminates potential deviations using industry standard tools ie. DFMEA before they escalation into major issues.
• Collaboration: Works cooperatively with team members to support overall team objectives and workflow. Works well with others and accepts feedback. Collaborates across teams, shares knowledge, and supports team goals. Builds strong cross-functional relationships and fosters a collaborative culture. Leads cross-departmental initiatives and problem-solving events.

LEVEL II

Successful Candidates Typically Have:

• 4+ years in manufacturing
• Experience in machining and tooling preferred

LEVEL III

Successful Candidates Typically Have:

• 10+ years in manufacturing
• Experience in machining and tooling preferred

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.