Chemical Engineer

Woodward L'Orange•Rockford, IL

3d•$93,000 - $149,000

About The Position

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 annual base pay: $93,000.00 (minimum) - $121,000.00 (midpoint) - $149,000.00 (maximum) 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 Are you ready to make your mark? We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Sr Chemical/Mechanical Engineer with expertise in aviation fuels and the physics of jet fuels to join our team. In this role, you will lead cutting-edge research and development initiatives focused on fuel system design, engine controls hardware, and advanced aviation fuel technologies. You will serve as Woodward’s technical authority for aviation fuel research, guiding efforts in areas such as thermal stability, alternative fuel validation, surface lubricity, coatings and surface effects, and other fuel-related properties critical to aviation hardware applications. This role also includes being a key representative to the aviation and fuels industry, participating in conferences, working groups, and consortiums to foster innovation and collaboration. This is a Level 3 role, ideal for candidates with 5+ years of experience and a strong background in chemical engineering. A Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering is required, with a Master’s or PhD considered a strong advantage.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering (required).
4+ years of experience in aviation fuels, jet fuel physics, or related fields.
Demonstrated expertise in thermal stability, alternative fuel validation, or fuel system design.
Understanding of the chemistry and physics of jet fuels.
Knowledge of aviation fuel standards (e.g., ASTM D1655, DEF STAN 91-091) and alternative fuel certifications.
Proficiency in fuel testing methodologies, experimental design, and data analysis.
Effective written and verbal communication skills including presentations (internal, customers and management); Writes and communicates technical reports.
Solid technical writing skills (EARS, procedures, reports, etc.)
Competent skills in complex problem solving and troubleshooting.
Familiarity with fuel system hardware, controls, and materials science.
Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate technical concepts to diverse audiences.
Excellent collaboration and networking skills to engage with industry partners and stakeholders.
Proven ability to lead projects and work effectively in cross-disciplinary teams.
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.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or PhD in Chemical Engineering or a related field (preferred).
Experience with coatings, lubricity, or friction studies is highly desirable.
Background or understanding of fuels manufacturing

Responsibilities

Aviation Fuels and Fuel System Development: Lead research efforts on the thermal stability, lubricity, friction, and surface interactions of jet fuels.
Understand and validate alternative aviation fuels, verifying compliance with industry standards and impact to performance requirements.
Innovate and evaluate coatings and treatments to enhance fuel system performance and durability.
Apply knowledge of jet fuel physics to improve fuel system performance and reliability.
Evaluate the impact of various fuel properties on system and hardware operation under extreme conditions.
Industry Engagement and Thought Leadership: Serve as a key point of contact to the aviation and fuels industry by representing Woodward at conferences, industry working groups, and consortiums.
Present technical findings, foster collaboration, and influence industry standards and practices where applicable.
Build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, fuel suppliers, and research institutions.
Technical Leadership and Mentorship: Provide technical guidance to multidisciplinary teams working on fuel-related projects.
Mentor junior engineers and researchers, fostering a culture of innovation and technical excellence.
Drive continuous improvement in fuel system development processes and methodologies.

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, 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