Operations Specialist
About the job
- Understanding of complex manufacturing processes such as computer numerical control machining, precision assembly, or test equipment.
- Knowledge of AS9100 or ISO 9001 quality standards.
- Understanding of blueprints, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, engineering drawings, bills of materials, and specifications.
- Experience applying analytical methodologies to operational processes, including process mapping, value stream analysis, and root-cause tools such as 5 Whys and Fishbone diagrams.
- Solid understanding of mechanical disassembly and reassembly, computer numerical control machine operations, testing, mechanical tools, measurement instruments, mechanical components, tooling, and mechanical assembly techniques.
- Ability to communicate advanced technical information verbally and in writing with operations members, team members, and supervisors.
- Understanding of Lean principles in a manufacturing environment.
- Proficiency with standardized work, daily management systems, enterprise resource planning systems, production software, email, spreadsheets, and data-entry tools.
- Ability to review and maintain bills of materials, work instructions, and process documentation accurately.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings and align them with production specifications.
- Ability to manage personal workload to meet deadlines and team goals.
- Implement and maintain technical procedures to ensure efficient daily operations in a focused area or process.
- Analyze production data and update standardized operating procedures to ensure a consistent workflow.
- Timely disposition and problem solving for production problems.
- Implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence of production problems.
- Participate in problem solving to provide solutions for atypical or infrequent operational problems based on established guidelines.
- Adhere to and actively support established safety protocols, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
- Utilize manufacturing-process knowledge to support and mentor operations members.
- Champion standardized work and provide timely support to production escalations.
- Actively participate in the daily management system.
- Use enterprise resource planning systems and production software and tools to complete daily tasks.
- Review and maintain bills of materials, work instructions, and process documentation.
- Identify and correct minor deviations before they escalate into major issues.
About the company
Woodward designs control systems for large machines such as aircraft engines and industrial turbines. Its products include governors, fuel-injection controls, valves, sensors, actuators, and software that measure conditions, compute control signals, and adjust inputs like fuel flow and valve position to regulate performance. The company differentiates itself through deep energy-control expertise in aerospace and industrial markets and through strategic acquisitions, including L’Orange in 2018 and Valve Research & Manufacturing in 2026, plus a global footprint. Its goal is to enable high-performance, efficient, and dependable operation of complex energy-conversion systems and to support cleaner, more efficient energy use in aerospace and industry.
Company Size
5,001-10,000
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Fort Collins, Colorado
Founded
1870
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Q3 fiscal 2026 sales rose 21% to $1.11 billion, raising guidance.
- Adjusted EPS jumped 43% to $2.52, while free cash flow stayed positive at $87 million.
- The $450 million notes and Spartanburg buildout fund capacity for 2027 ramp.
What critics are saying
- Santa Clarita closes by December 2027, cutting about 400 jobs and $47.5 million charges.
- Private debt carries step-up coupons above 3.5 times leverage, tightening flexibility if margins slip.
- A Spartanburg ramp failure would strand transferred programs and erode Woodward's aerospace franchise.
What makes Woodward Governor unique
- Woodward's flight-control actuation and engine controls sit inside certified aerospace platforms.
- The September 2026 Spartanburg campus centralizes military actuation, A350 spoiler actuation, and legacy transfers.
- A 150-year controls lineage spans governors, fuel systems, turbines, and aircraft.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Paid Holidays
Hybrid Work Options
401(k) Company Match
401(k) Retirement Plan
Performance Bonus
Adoption Assistance
Childcare Support
Employee Assistance Program, including mental health benefits
Professional Development Budget
Tuition Reimbursement
Wellness Program
Mental Health Support
Home Office Stipend
Phone/Internet Stipend
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
0%1 year growth
0%2 year growth
-1%Woodward plans to move aerospace controls production from its Santa Clarita, California, facility to a new manufacturing campus in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The transition will relocate military fixed-wing and rotorcraft flight control actuation to the Spartanburg site, currently under construction. The company has also agreed to sell smaller legacy product lines for commercial rotorcraft, land systems, and business jets, along with the Santa Clarita campus. The transaction is expected to close in fiscal year 2027. Operations at Santa Clarita will cease no later than December 2027, affecting approximately 400 employees. The Spartanburg facility is scheduled to begin operations in summer 2027 and will produce Airbus A350 spoiler actuation systems alongside the transferred product lines.
Woodward to shut California plant, shift manufacturing to South Carolina (WWD:NASDAQ) | Invesloan.com. September 21, 2026 Updated:September 21, 2026 Woodward (WWD) said Monday it plans to shut a production facility in Santa Clarita, California, and move production of military fixed-wing and rotorcraft flight control actuation to its campus in Spartanburg, South Carolina, as part of its
Aerospace manufacturer Woodward Inc. to Close Santa Clarita Facility img:is([sizes="auto" i], [sizes^="auto," i]) {contain-intrinsic-size: 3000px 1500px} aerospace manufacturer Woodward Inc. to Close Santa Clarita Facility. Date: 09/21/2026 4:04pm Article Summary: Woodward Inc. to Close Santa Clarita Facility by 2027, Affecting About 400 Jobs as Production Moves to South Carolina Woodward Inc. plans to close its Santa Clarita aerospace facility by December 2027, affecting approximately 400 jobs as production shifts to a new campus in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The company also intends to sell the Santa Clarita site and several legacy product lines, with transition-related costs estimated at up to $47.5 million.
Caron Engineering process control systems streamline automation. IMTS 2026: Caron Engineering showcases its MiConnect low-code manufacturing automation platform alongside its TMAC, AutoComp, ToolConnect and DTect-It process control technologies in a fully integrated, live cutting cell. Caron Engineering demonstrates how connected automation and real-time process control technologies help address the challenges of reducing scrap, improving process consistency, shortening cycle times and automating production - all while machining more complex parts with tighter tolerances and fewer experienced operators. Caron's booth features a fully automated live-cutting cell where CNC machines, automation, tooling data, measurement systems and process intelligence work together continuously in real time to improve machining stability, eliminate manual processes and increase operational reliability. Superior performance in stainless steel. Ingersoll has expanded its PrimoLine with PrimoSS-V & PrimoSS-H end mills engineered for stainless steel machining, offering superior stability, HEM capability and thermal control. At the center of the demonstration is MiConnect, Caron Engineering's low-code manufacturing automation platform designed to simplify communication and orchestration across machines, robots, sensors, gaging systems and software platforms. According to the company, MiConnect enables manufacturers to rapidly build and deploy automation workflows that streamline production and coordinate entire machining cells without complex custom programming. The demonstration also features Caron Engineering's complete process control ecosystem, including: * Tool Monitoring Adaptive Control (TMAC) for real-time cutting optimization, adaptive feed control and tool breakage detection * AutoComp closed-loop dimensional feedback with automatic CNC offset compensation * ToolConnect RFID and barcode-based tool data management and transfer * DTect-It advanced sensor analysis for machine health, vibration monitoring and predictive process intelligence Together, these technologies are designed to create a connected manufacturing environment capable of making intelligent, real-time process decisions while reducing scrap, shortening cycle times, extending tool life, improving quality and enabling more reliable unattended machining. Attendees can see adaptive control responding live during cutting, automated feedback adjusting machining offsets, machine-to-device communication coordinating the cell and integrated automation working together in a real production environment. Connect at. Caron Engineering will be exhibiting new technology at IMTS 2026 in Chicago, IL this September. * Setting Up the Building Blocks for a Digital Factory Woodward Inc. spent over a year developing an API to connect machines to its digital factory. Caron Engineering's MiConnect has cut most of this process while also granting the shop greater access to machine information. * Revolutionizing Production: How Smart Hydraulics Drive 24/7 Manufacturing Excellence All World Machinery Supply helps a firearms manufacturer up its game and improve and increase output. * Aerospace Shop Thrives with Five-Axis, AI and a New ERP Within three years, MSP Manufacturing has grown from only having three-axis mills to being five-axis capable with cobots, AI-powered programming and an overhauled ERP. What kind of benefits do these capabilities bring? Find out in our coverage of MSP Manufacturing.
Woodward has agreed to a private placement of $450 million in senior unsecured notes, prompting investors to reassess the company's capital structure and funding costs. The company's share price stands at $343.26, reflecting a modest one-day gain of 0.31%. However, the stock has declined 18.08% over the past 30 days, whilst maintaining a strong one-year total shareholder return of 38.90%. Analysts have set a consensus price target of $444.55, suggesting the stock is meaningfully undervalued at current levels. This valuation is based on expectations of future earnings growth and profit margins. The most bullish analyst forecasts a price target of $511, whilst the most bearish predicts $390. Key risks include potential strain on free cash flow from capital projects and weaker demand in electrification and aerospace sectors.