Manufacturing Engineer

Woodward, Inc.•Spartanburg, SC

3d•$95,000 - $152,000

About The Position

Woodward is hiring a Manufacturing Engineer to lead manufacturing process ownership, production support, process improvement, documentation management, and medium-sized manufacturing projects. The role supports production by troubleshooting complex process issues, analyzing recurring hardware defects, and implementing corrective actions. It also leads efforts to create, standardize, and maintain manufacturing processes and to improve process capability, reliability, and production performance. The engineer uses data analysis, cost modeling, Lean methods, Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFMA), and tools such as Six Sigma, Design of Experiments (DOE), Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), simulation, and APQP. The position includes specifying equipment, tooling, and gaging; coordinating with vendors; supporting preventive maintenance of critical systems; improving production documentation; and mentoring entry-level engineers and interns. Successful candidates typically have a four-year bachelor’s degree or 10+ years of equivalent experience. The position is expected to be designated as DOT safety-sensitive in the future. Once designated, the employee must pass a DOT/FAA pre-employment drug test before performing safety-sensitive duties. The work involves information subject to ITAR and/or EAR; applicants must be U.S. Persons or eligible to obtain the required authorizations.

Requirements

Four-year bachelor’s degree (BS) or 10+ years of equivalent experience.
Ability to use manufacturing process improvement methods and tools, including Six Sigma, DOE, FMEA, simulation, process mapping, and root cause analysis.
Experience or capability in data analysis, cost analysis, Lean manufacturing, DFMA, APQP, and process capability improvement.
Ability to specify equipment, tooling, and gaging and to coordinate equipment troubleshooting with vendors.
Ability to communicate recommendations to leadership and collaborate across departments.
Must be a U.S. Person under ITAR/EAR requirements or eligible to obtain all required authorizations.
When the role becomes designated DOT safety-sensitive, must undergo and pass a DOT/FAA pre-employment drug test before performing safety-sensitive duties.

Responsibilities

Lead troubleshooting of complex manufacturing process issues, identify root causes, recommend workflow improvements, and oversee disposition of hardware defects and corrective actions.
Create, standardize, maintain, and monitor manufacturing processes for assigned areas, using process metrics to support reliability and production goals.
Lead process improvement initiatives using methods such as Six Sigma, DOE, FMEA, and simulation to improve capability and reduce variation.
Standardize and improve production documentation, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and accessibility, and implement digital documentation systems.
Lead medium-sized manufacturing projects, including risk assessments, process improvements, and resource coordination.
Lead productivity and Lean initiatives to streamline operations, reduce waste, improve process reliability, and improve flow.
Analyze data and develop cost models to identify root causes, high-cost operations, alternatives, and opportunities to optimize inventory and asset utilization.
Lead DFMA evaluations for medium-complexity products and recommend design changes that simplify designs, reduce costs, and improve manufacturing efficiency and scalability.
Specify equipment, tooling, and gaging; prepare RFPs and RFQs; integrate equipment needs into value stream or site capital plans; troubleshoot recurring equipment problems with vendors; and oversee preventive maintenance schedules for critical systems.
Mentor entry-level engineers and interns and provide constructive feedback.
Lead APQP deliverables for medium-complexity projects, optimize tooling and fixturing designs, and review data to ensure process quality and performance.
Present ideas and recommendations to leadership and facilitate collaboration across departments.