Staff Manufacturing Engineer

Woodward, Inc.•Fort Collins, CO

1d•$113,000 - $155,000•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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
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
4 Year Bachelors BS OR 10+ years equivalent experience
Must be a U.S. Person within the meaning of ITAR and EAR, or eligible to obtain all required authorizations.

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.