Staff Manufacturing Engineer

01 & 04 Woodward, Inc.; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 113,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match (4.5%)

Annual stock contribution (5%)

Tuition reimbursement

12 paid holidays

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Job summary

Woodward in Fort Collins, Colorado, seeks a Staff Manufacturing Engineer to drive efficiency, scalability, and quality across multiple production lines in our Industrial division.

You will own automation readiness, lead cross-functional initiatives, and mentor teams while applying Lean methods and data analytics to reduce waste and improve productivity.

Qualifications

• Experience leading machining automation and manufacturing processes.
• Proven ability to apply Lean methods and data-driven improvement.
• Knowledge of automation readiness criteria and process prove-out.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical owner for machining automation in sustaining environment.
• Evaluate automation readiness and stability.
• Define technical requirements for automation and projects.
• Partner with controls engineering, maintenance, quality, operations, manufacturing engineering, and operators to deliver practical, sustainable solutions.
• Own manufacturing processes within a value stream, ensuring workflows are scalable, repeatable, documented, and adaptable to production and customer requirements.
• Lead process capability and productivity improvements using data analysis, SPC, simulation tools, Lean methods, and production feedback to reduce variation and improve performance.
• Mentor engineers and technical team members in process ownership, automation readiness, troubleshooting, and structured problem solving.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Data analysis

Process capability

Robotics automation

Cross-functional leadership

Troubleshooting

Problem solving

Project leadership

Value stream ownership

Quality improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

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.

Staff‑Manufacturing Engineer Supporting Woodward’s Industrial division in Fort Collins, Colorado, the Staff Manufacturing Engineer will play a key leadership role in driving efficiency, scalability, and quality across multiple production lines. This position is responsible for overseeing production support, managing manufacturing processes, and leading cross‑functional initiatives to ensure operational excellence. The ideal candidate will possess expertise in Lean manufacturing, process optimization, and advanced analytics, with a focus on improving productivity and reducing waste.

Estimated annual base pay: $113,000- $155,000. 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

• Serve as the technical owner for machining automation in a sustaining environment, including robotics, machine tending, tool life monitoring, part presentation, and related technologies.
• Evaluate automation readiness by confirming process stability, capability, tooling reliability, part presentation, and operator interaction before automation is implemented.
• Define technical requirements for automation and manufacturing projects, including scope, assumptions, risks, deliverables, acceptance criteria, and success measures.
• Partner with controls engineering, maintenance, quality, operations, manufacturing engineering, and operators to deliver practical, sustainable solutions.
• Own manufacturing processes within a value stream, ensuring workflows are scalable, repeatable, documented, and adaptable to production and customer requirements.
• Lead process capability and productivity improvement efforts using data analysis, SPC, simulation tools, Lean methods, and production feedback to reduce variation and improve performance.
• Mentor engineers and technical team members in process ownership, automation readiness, troubleshooting, and structured problem solving.

Key Skills

• Manufacturing process ownership across multiple production lines or value streams
• Data analysis, statistical process control, and process capability methods
• Lean manufacturing tools, including standard work, flow, Kanban, JIT, visual management, and waste reduction
• Cost analysis and optimization across labor, material, overhead, scrap, inventory, and machine utilization
• Design for Manufacturability and Assembly review across products, processes, and equipment needs
• APQP tools and systems, including risk assessment, control plans, tooling, fixturing, and critical process parameter monitoring
• Equipment selection, troubleshooting, performance improvement, and maintenance strategy alignment
• Project leadership, stakeholder communication, and cross-functional coordination
• Root cause analysis, critical thinking, and sustainable corrective action
• Coaching, mentoring, and technical capability building

Well Qualified Candidates

• Demonstrated experience implementing machining automation systems, including robotics, machine tending, tool life monitoring, part presentation, and supporting equipment
• Knowledge of automation readiness criteria and how to determine when a process is ready to automate
• Experience with equipment validation, runoff, acceptance criteria, process prove‑out, and production release requirements
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations in a sustaining environment
• Experience working with controls engineering, maintenance, quality, operations, and operators to implement production solutions
• Familiarity with digital production documentation systems and manufacturing data systems

Other Qualifications

• 4 Year Bachelors BS OR 10+ years equivalent experience

Application window is anticipated to close 7 days from original posting date.

This information is provided in compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and is the company’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation range and benefits offered for this position. The compensation offered to the successful applicant may vary based on factors including experience, skills, education, location, and other job‑related reasons. 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.

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.