Senior Manufacturing Special Process Engineer

Woodward, Inc. • Rockford, IL

8d • $90,400 - $149,000

About The Position

A Special Process Engineer at Woodward designs, implements, and improves specialized manufacturing processes to increase efficiency, reduce cost, and ensure safe, high-quality production. This role supports both new product introduction and existing production, working closely with engineering teams, manufacturing, and global supply chain. Responsibilities include process development, equipment installation and support, supplier development, and managing special processes such as heat treatment, chemical processing, coatings, EDM, and surface treatments. The role differs from general manufacturing engineering by focusing on the chemical or physical transformation of materials and serving as a bridge between product development and full-scale production.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree (BS) and 6+ years of equivalent experience.
• Experience with NADCAP Accreditation is preferred.
• Six Sigma Blackbelt is a plus
• 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).

Responsibilities

• Lead troubleshooting for complex process issues, applying advanced tools to identify root causes and recommend solutions to optimize workflows.
• Oversee hardware disposition efforts, including root cause analysis of recurring hardware defects and implementation of corrective actions.
• Lead efforts to create, standardize, and maintain manufacturing processes for assigned areas.
• Monitor process metrics and implement changes to ensure reliability and alignment with production goals.
• Lead process improvement initiatives, applying techniques like Six Sigma, DOE, FMEA, and/or simulation tools to improve capability and reduce variation.
• Lead efforts to standardize and improve documentation across assigned processes, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and accessibility for operators and engineers.
• Implement digital documentation systems to streamline updates and enable real-time collaboration.
• Lead medium-sized manufacturing projects, including risk assessments, process improvements, and resource coordination.
• Specifies equipment, tooling, and gaging for projects while creating detailed RFPs and RFQs.
• Integrates equipment needs into value stream and/or site capital plans.
• Leads troubleshooting efforts for recurring equipment problems and coordinates with vendors to implement solutions.
• Oversees preventive maintenance schedules for critical systems.
• Provide guidance to entry-level engineers and interns on projects and problem-solving approaches.
• Offer constructive feedback to help them grow and develop their skills.
• Solve complex production challenges by applying advanced problem-solving methods, such as DOE or Six Sigma tools.
• Leads implementation of APQP deliverables for medium-complexity projects, optimizing tooling/fixturing designs and improving process capability.
• Reviews data to ensure processes meet quality and performance standards.
• Present ideas and recommendations to leadership, facilitating collaboration across departments.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

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