Controls Engineer I/II

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.  

**IMPORTANT** For the first 4-6 months, this role will be based in either Rockford, Illinois, or Fort Collins, Colorado, with some opportunities for remote work. After this period, the position will transition to a full-time role at our new facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Level I:

Estimated annual base pay: $65,000 (minimum) - $84,500 (midpoint) - $104,000 (maximum)

Level II:

Estimated annual base pay: $77,000 (minimum) - $100,000 (midpoint) - $123,000 (maximum)

• 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  

Level I:

Key Responsibilities:

• Controls System Design: Supports the development and modification of control systems by following established engineering procedures and best practices.
• Project Support and Leadership: Tracking project milestones, maintaining documentation, and supporting basic project tasks.
• Production Support & Troubleshooting: Supports troubleshooting of basic issues within production control systems using predefined methods and guidelines.
• Technical Documentation: Assist in maintaining and updating control system documentation, including diagrams, manuals, and reports. Ensure documentation is organized and accessible.
• Automation, Safety and System Integration: Assists with automation development and implementation while learning basic safety systems and standards.

Key Skills:

• Problem Solving, Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills: Identify basic issues in manufacturing workflows and propose simple solutions.
• Communication and Collaboration Skills: Communicate findings effectively and work collaboratively with other roles.
• Mentorship: Learn from senior engineers by actively seeking guidance and feedback to improve technical and interpersonal skills. Focus on understanding processes and building foundational expertise.
• Mechatronics Knowledge: Basic understanding of mechatronics, including the foundational principles of mechanics, electronics, and control systems, with limited ability to apply these concepts in practical scenarios.
• Programming & Data Management: Creates simple scripts to automate repetitive tasks, such as file handling or data formatting. Assists in organizing and maintaining small datasets to support reporting and basic analysis.
• Process Improvement/ Optimization: Follows standardized practices to achieve objectives while ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency. Identifies minor opportunities for productivity enhancements and cycle time reductions by analyzing existing control systems.
• New Technology Development: Demonstrates the ability to acquire and apply new technical concepts and technologies while identifying basic opportunities for technology development within existing systems.
• Communication Protocols and Networking: Demonstrates a basic understanding of industrial communication protocols (e.g., Modbus, Ethernet/IP, PROFIBUS) and networking concepts. Assists in setting up device communication under supervision using predefined configurations.
• Data Analysis: Basic understanding of data analysis concepts, including data collection, organization, and visualization techniques. Limited ability to interpret trends or patterns in control system data.
• Control Systems Tools & Hardware: Basic knowledge of controls engineering tools and hardware, including PLC/HMI's, torque drivers, motion controllers, vision system components, and edge devices, with limited practical experience in applying them to tasks.

Other Qualifications:

• 4 Year Bachelors BS degree

• International - Bachelors BS/University degree equivalent by Country

Level II:
Key Responsibilities:

• Controls System Design: Develops and implements low to medium complexity control systems, ensuring they meet industry standards and best practices. Participates in system commissioning and ensures designs meet project requirements.
• Project Support and Leadership: Manage small-scale controls projects, ensuring timelines, budgets, and deliverables are met under supervision.
• Production Support & Troubleshooting: Identifies and resolves low level issues within production and development control systems using predefined methods and guidelines.
• Technical Documentation: Create and refine controls system documentation, including diagrams, manuals, and reports to ensure alignment with best practices and compliance requirements.
• Automation, Safety and System Integration: Implement simple automation and safety systems. Ensures safety standards are met and integrates them into control systems.

Key Skills:

• Problem Solving, Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills: Analyze production problems using structured methodologies (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone diagrams) to identify root causes.
• Communication and Collaboration Skills: Coordinate with cross-functional teams to align goals and share updates on manufacturing improvements.
• Mentorship: Share foundational knowledge with peers and newer hires. Collaborate with others to support mutual learning and contribute to a positive team environment.
• Mechatronics Knowledge: Working knowledge of mechatronics theory, including the interaction between mechanical components, electrical systems, and control logic. Capable of applying this knowledge to standard designs and implementations with minimal guidance.
• Programming & Data Management: Writes intermediate-level programs to perform tasks like process automation, data collection, or system communication. Effectively manages larger datasets, ensuring they are well-structured and accessible for analysis.
• Process Improvement/ Optimization: Applies knowledge of control systems to improve workflows. Supports small-scale improvements that enhance productivity, reduce cycle times, and stabilize operations.
• New Technology Development: Explores, tests, and applies new concepts, showing initiative in experimenting with tools and methods to uncover areas for technology development and improvement.
• Communication Protocols and Networking: Applies knowledge of communication protocols and networking concepts (e.g., IP addressing, subnetting, VLANs) to configure device connections and integrate industrial devices following established procedures.
• Data Analysis: Proficient in applying basic data analysis techniques to control system data, including identifying patterns, generating simple reports, and using basic statistical tools to support design and implementation tasks.
• Control Systems Tools & Hardware: Proficient in using standard controls engineering tools and hardware, including PLC/HMI's, torque drivers, motion control systems, vision system components, and edge devices, with the ability to apply them effectively to standard design and implementation tasks.

Other Qualifications:

• 4 Year Bachelors BS degree

• International - Bachelors BS/University degree equivalent by Country

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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