Operations Technician - 1st Shift

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.

• Level I: Starting hourly base pay: $20.00
• Level II: Starting hourly base pay: $23.50

All Levels are eligible for the benefits below:

• 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

Woodward is hiring Operations Technicians to support the production lines at our Rock Cut Campus in Loves Park, IL. The role is on 1st Shift, with shifts that run Monday – Thursday or Monday – Friday . This position is responsible for performing manufacturing, assembly, testing, and/or special process operations, using various hand and specialty tools and inspection / measurement equipment and will work to produce quality aerospace parts.

Training hours for the first 2 weeks will be 1st shift, Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 3:30pm

Starting the 3rd week, training may be on an alternate shift for a few months

Level 1

Key Responsibilities:

• Operations: Follows documented procedures to accurately and efficiently produce products using specified tools and equipment. Flexes and supports the full product line in various processes/ capacities.
• Process: Observes and records key process variables to ensure consistency and quality in operations. Accurately logs daily operations and resolves or escalates concerns. Follows standard operating procedures.
• Quality: Conducts inspections and tests to verify the accuracy and functionality of products and records and maintains data per operating standards.
• Organization & Cleanliness: Adheres to 5S principles by keeping workstations clean, organized, and free of unnecessary items. Follows established guidelines to ensure tools, materials, and equipment are properly stored and maintained.
• Safety Mindset: Adheres to all established safety protocols, procedures, and regulatory requirements; maintains mindfulness of self and surrounding work area to promote a safe working environment.

Key Skills:

• Technical Capability: Understands and follows basic technical instructions and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Critical Thinking: Identifies gap-to-standard and resolves or escalates them per standard processes/procedures.
• Mechanical Aptitude: Demonstrates basic understanding of mechanical systems and components. Uses hand tools and basic equipment safely and effectively. Can produce products and may perform basic setups of equipment.
• Team Communication: Communicates effectively with team members and supervisors to support workflow and escalate immediate issues. Adherence to Woodward's Core Values.
• Time Management: Effectively manages time to complete assigned tasks within established schedules. Adheres to individual schedule.
• Lean Mindset: Follows lean practices such as 5S and waste reduction. Participates in continuous improvement activities.
• Production Systems: Understands and adheres to standardized work and escalates when cannot be followed. Actively participates in the daily management system.
• Computer Skills: Uses basic software (e.g., email, spreadsheets, data entry tools) to complete tasks.
• Attention to Detail: Ensures precision in tasks to maintain high quality standards. Follows instructions precisely and checks work for accuracy.
• Collaboration: Works cooperatively with team members to support overall team objectives and workflow. Works well with team members and accepts feedback.

Level 2

Key Responsibilities:

• Operations: Follows documented procedures, solves problems with known outcomes to meet standards, supports training of other members, and provides improvement opportunities to standard work. Flexes and supports the full product line in various processes/ capacities.
• Process: Maintains key process variables to ensure consistency and quality in operations. Accurately logs daily operations and resolves or escalates concerns. Follows standard operating procedures. Supports training of other members. Provides improvement opportunities to standard work.
• Quality Control: Participates to improve clarity and accuracy in documented processes and procedures.
• Organization & Cleanliness: Proactively applies 5S principles, identifies opportunities to improve workstation organization and cleanliness, and ensures compliance with team standards. Assists in implementing new organizational practices as directed.
• Safety Mindset: Encourages adherence to safety protocols within the team.

Key Skills:

• Technical Capability: Understands and follows technical instructions and standard operating procedures (SOPs). Troubleshoots routine technical product issues.
• Problem Resolution: Identifies gap-to-standard and resolves or escalates them per standard processes/procedures. Analyzes problems, proposes solutions, and implements corrective actions with minimal supervision.
• Mechanical Aptitude: Demonstrates understanding of mechanical systems and components. Uses hand tools and equipment safely and effectively. Can produce products and setup equipment to support varying processes.
• Team Communication: Communicates effectively with team members and supervisors to support workflow and escalate immediate issues. Demonstrates Woodward's Core Values.
• Time Management: Proactively prioritizes time to complete assigned tasks within established schedules. Drives to maintain efficiency standards.
• Lean Mindset: Follows lean practices such as 5S and waste reduction. Participates in continuous improvement activities. Identifies inefficiencies and suggests improvements.
• Production Systems: Understands and adheres to standardized work and escalates when cannot be followed. Actively participates in the daily management system.
• Computer Skills: Uses basic software (e.g., email, spreadsheets, data entry tools) to complete tasks.
• Attention to Detail: Ensures precision in tasks to maintain high quality standards. Follows instructions precisely and checks work for accuracy.
• Collaboration: Works cooperatively with team members to support overall team objectives and workflow. Works well with team members and accepts feedback. Collaborates across teams, shares knowledge, and supports team goals.

Additional Information:

Moderate physical activity requiring agility and dexterity, including walking, standing, or bending; and lifting or moving objects. Work is performed in an area with moderate risk or discomfort that may require special safety precautions, such as wearing protective clothing or gear. May be required to pass Near Vision and/or Color Vision examinations.

Successful candidates typically have:

• Effective time management and organizational abilities
• Problem-solving mindset with critical thinking skills
• Willingness to embrace change and adapt to new environments
• Keen attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

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).

Woodward is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local laws.