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Senior Operations Technician (Machining) 2nd Shift

Woodward, Inc.
life insurance, vision insurance, parental leave, paid holidays, sick time, short term disability, long term disability, tuition reimbursement, 401(k)
United States, Illinois, Rockford
Feb 16, 2026

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.

  • Estimated annual base pay: $31.25 (minimum) - $40.38 (midpoint) - $50.00 (maximum)

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 looking for experienced and senior manufacturing technicians to join our 2nd shift teams at the Rock Cut Campus in Loves Park, IL. These technicians will support our Servovalve, Actuator Specialty Valve and Fuel Metering Unit departments with production and troubleshooting operations. Individuals with experience in Makino CNC or Swiss Lathe/Mill Turn or Vertical/Stroker Hone machines are strongly encouraged to apply!

Key Responsibilities:

  • Performs direct labor to meet established takt time and/or customer demand.

  • Serves as Subject Matter Expert (SME) resource within and between product lines, departments, and locations.

  • Leads by example with behavior highly demonstrative of core values.

  • Conducts, manages, and supports ongoing training and development activities within area of expertise, utilizing standardized training principles and tools.

  • Shares knowledge and builds up skill sets of other members.

  • Leads and assists Root Cause Corrective Actions (RCCA) and troubleshooting.

  • Supports development and creation of training documents and work instructions.

  • Supports Engineering, Master Scheduling, Operations, and others in evaluations of technology, capabilities, utilization, and possibilities of production equipment or products.

  • As applicable and directed, participates and supports audits, investigations, and inquiries by other departments, leaders, agencies, customers, or suppliers.

  • Assists and supports leadership or Team Lead in determining and coordinating work team assignments to meet production requirements.

  • Leads and supports continuous improvement and process innovation.

  • Supports transition of products into operations from New Product Introduction (NPI).

  • Follows appropriate work instructions to successfully complete tasks. This may include receive, clean, machine, assemble, join, treat, handle and test parts.

  • Utilizes computer programs, including web-based systems, to enter part data, log time, and look up information in order to complete assigned work tasks.

  • Applies inspection techniques, uses inspection tools efficiently, verifies the calibration/expiration dates of equipment and writes non-conformance reports (NCRs) when necessary.

  • Provides work order, product, process, or equipment progress reports and risks. Coordinates with others to resolve issues.

  • Maintains regular and punctual attendance.

  • Works extended hours outside regularly scheduled shift as required by operational needs.

  • Participates in and provides feedback of equipment evaluations for capital purchases or continuous improvements.

Key Skills:

  • Specific knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to be considered a subject matter expert (SME) for one or more core production processes.

  • Demonstrated advanced mechanical aptitude.

  • Strong interpersonal skills and demonstration of core values, including dependability and reliability.

  • Ability to communicate effectively to all levels of the organization, using various methods.

  • Demonstrated ability to present and explain information in front of members at all levels within the organization.

  • Demonstrated ability to read and use applicable quality or inspection tooling such as micrometers, functional and cylindrical gauges, comparators, indicator setups and scales.

  • Demonstrated ability to read, interpret and use the information presented in drawings, diagrams and blueprints to determine appropriate activities, tools, and next steps in the production process.

  • Ability to demonstrate knowledge of nonconformance procedures and processes when parts fail inspection or test. This includes knowledge of systems required to log and track failed inspections and associated documentation within area of responsibility.

  • Advanced knowledge of variation reduction principles and lean manufacturing techniques/processes. This includes the ability to initiate and lead process improvements and apply the principles and techniques in order to achieve continual improvement and operational effectiveness.

  • Demonstrated knowledge of machines and/or equipment functionality, and how tools could be used on such equipment/machines. This includes the ability to learn new systems quickly, understanding how parts relate, and how they impact system functionality.

  • Ability to accurately provide the information requested on specific forms, reports, and logs. This includes the ability to see details, generate or transcribe appropriate words, numbers, letters, marks, labels, signs and symbols.

  • Ability to define, diagnose, and resolve problems. This includes recognizing minute inconsistencies/faults in parts while logically examining and interpreting information from different sources to determine a problem's cause and develop a course of action to resolve the problem and prevent its reoccurrence.

  • Ability to perform simple arithmetic computations including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division correctly, using whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percentages.

  • Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, follow process/task instructions and work efficiently.

  • Demonstrated knowledge of how quality impacts the success of the organization including internal costs, costs to customers, costs of recalls and potential costs due to negative impacts on a company's reputation. This includes taking the necessary steps to ensure quality on a consistent basis and striving for improvement.

  • Ability to properly handle, transport and dispose of hazardous waste within area of responsibility. This includes knowledge of standard operating procedures for handling hazardous materials and familiarity with Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).

  • Ability to navigate in an on-line environment to locate documents. Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office Products.

Additional Requirements:

Moderate physical activity requires 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:

  • Strong proficiency with EDM Wires, or Makino CNC or Swiss Lathe/Mill Turn or Vertical/Stroker Hone machine setups, operations, editing, troubleshooting, etc.

  • Strong knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)

  • Ability to use inspection equipment and tools including but not limited to CMM, Optivs, etc.

  • Experience interpreting inspection and first run reports

  • Knowledge and experience in reading and editing programs

  • Strong communication skills, both written and oral and ability to communicate with all levels of personnel

  • Proven ability to troubleshoot machines during operations, quality issues, non-conformances, etc.

  • Experience with establishing first run times

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.

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