Staff Manufacturing Engineer

Woodward, Inc.; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 113,000 - 181,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Sign-on bonus

Annual bonus

401(k) match

Stock contribution

Tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays

Healthcare benefits

Vacation & leave

Parental leave

Adoption assistance

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Woodward, Inc. in Fort Collins, CO, is seeking a Staff Manufacturing Engineer to lead machining automation, drive Lean improvements, and enhance quality across production lines.

The role emphasizes automation readiness, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration with controls, maintenance, and operations to deliver scalable solutions.

Qualifications

• BS in engineering or equivalent experience; 4 years minimum in manufacturing.
• Experience implementing machining automation and robotics in a sustaining environment.
• Lean, data-driven process improvement and capability analysis.

Responsibilities

• Own machining automation in a sustaining environment for multiple lines.
• Define automation requirements, scope, risks, and acceptance criteria.
• Collaborate with controls, maintenance, quality, and operations to deliver solutions.
• Lead process capability improvements using data analytics and Lean methods.
• Mentor engineers in process ownership and problem solving.

Skills

Machining automation

Automation readiness

Data analysis/ SPC

Lean manufacturing

Project leadership

Troubleshooting

Coaching/mentoring

Education

BS in Engineering or related field

10+ years equivalent experience

Tools

Robotics

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 min $147,000 mid $181,000 max

• Relocation assistance provide to relocate to Fort Collins, CO.

• Sign on bonus offered if hired prior to November 1, 2026
• 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 Possess:

• 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.