Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Woodward, Inc. • Fort Collins, CO

7d • $95,000 - $128,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Supporting Woodward’s Industrial division in Fort Collins, Colorado, the Senior Manufacturing Engineer provides leadership to improve efficiency, scalability, and quality across multiple production lines. The role oversees production support and manufacturing processes and leads cross-functional initiatives focused on operational excellence. It calls for expertise in Lean manufacturing, process optimization, and advanced analytics to improve productivity and reduce waste. Relocation assistance is provided for relocation to Fort Collins, Colorado.

The position leads production troubleshooting, process ownership and improvement, documentation standardization, and medium-sized manufacturing projects. It also involves equipment and tooling planning, cost optimization, automation implementation, APQP activities, and mentoring entry-level engineers and interns. The estimated annual base pay is $95,000–$128,000, with the final amount based on factors including education, experience, skills, and internal and market alignment. Applicants must be U.S. Persons under ITAR/EAR or eligible to obtain required authorizations.

Requirements

• 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.
• Four-year bachelor’s degree (BS) or at least seven years of equivalent experience.
• Must be a U.S. Person within the meaning of ITAR/EAR or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State and/or Department of Commerce authorizations.

Nice To Haves

• Expertise in Lean manufacturing, process optimization, and advanced analytics.
• Experience with Six Sigma, DOE, FMEA, simulation tools, process mapping, root cause analysis, cost analysis, and process capability improvement.
• Experience leading APQP deliverables and DFMA evaluations for medium-complexity projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead troubleshooting of complex production-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, implementing changes to support reliability and production goals.
• Lead process improvement initiatives using methods such as Six Sigma, Design of Experiments (DOE), FMEA, and simulation tools to improve capability and reduce variation.
• Standardize and improve production documentation, ensuring it is accurate, consistent, and accessible; implement digital documentation systems for efficient updates and collaboration.
• Lead medium-sized manufacturing projects, including risk assessments, process improvements, and coordination of resources.
• Lead medium-sized productivity and Lean improvement projects to streamline operations, reduce waste, and improve process reliability.
• Analyze data to identify causes of production issues and recommend actionable improvements.
• Develop cost models, compare alternatives, analyze inventory, and recommend improvements to reduce waste and optimize asset utilization.
• Lead Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFMA) evaluations for medium-complexity products and recommend design changes to simplify designs, reduce costs, and improve manufacturing efficiency and scalability.
• Specify equipment, tooling, and gaging; create RFPs and RFQs; incorporate 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, providing project guidance and constructive feedback.
• Apply advanced problem-solving methods, including DOE and Six Sigma tools, to complex production challenges.
• Lead implementation of 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.
• Implement machining automation systems and assess automation readiness; support equipment validation, runoff, acceptance criteria, process prove-out, and production release.
• Work with controls engineering, maintenance, quality, operations, and operators to implement production solutions.

Benefits

• Annual cash bonus opportunity for all members.
• 401(k) match of 4.5%.
• Annual Woodward stock contribution of 5%.
• Tuition reimbursement and training/professional development opportunities.
• 12 paid holidays.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance upon date of hire.
• Vacation, sick time, vacation buy-up, short-term disability, and bereavement leave.
• Paid parental leave.
• Adoption assistance.
• Employee Assistance Program, including mental health benefits.
• Member Life & AD&D and Long-Term Disability coverage; optional member life insurance.
• Member referral bonus.
• Optional spouse/child life and AD&D coverage.
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Home and auto insurance discounts.
• Whole life insurance, critical illness insurance, legal assistance, and military leave.
• Relocation assistance to Fort Collins, Colorado.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior