Tribologist

Woodward’s Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Commitment

At Woodward, no matter where you are from, your physical appearance, or how you identify, you deserve the opportunity to reach your greatest potential.  We are on a journey to achieve this as an organization and want to work closely with our members to set the right path.

We humbly acknowledge this will be an imperfect journey.  Yet, we are steadfastly committed to embracing the power of diverse people, perspectives and experiences for our current members, attracting the best talent across our communities, and creating an inclusive and rewarding workplace for all.

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: Level 3 - $92,800(minimum) - $116,000(midpoint) - $139,200(maximum)
• Estimated annual base pay: Level 4 - $114,400(minimum) - $143,000(midpoint) - $171,600(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 

Are you ready to make your mark?  If you’re a Tribologist, we have an exciting opportunity for you.  The Tribologist reports to engineering manager and receives mentorship from Sr. Technical Fellow, Tribology and whose focus is performing independent evaluation, selection, and substantial adaptation and modification of standard techniques, procedures, and criteria in carrying out a sequence of science and engineering analysis tasks concerning lubrication, friction and wear. This position works under a moderate to low level of supervision. Independent technical decisions on work are covered by precedents; this position seeks direction/guidance on novel or controversial problems. In addition, this position may participate in project-specific relationship building with customers, suppliers, individuals or organizations.

What You Will Be Doing 

• Understand and implement complex process-structure-property relationships for existing and new product platforms.
• Performs mechanical tribological friction and wear tests such as pin-on-disk, reciprocating, fretting, abrasion, calot and similar on engineered materials, special processes and tribological coatings all in variable environments such as high temperature, vacuum, greases, fuels etc.
• Supports audits as required: internal, supplier, customer, third party
• Evaluation of materials, processes and wear using techniques such as electron microscopy, light microscopy, XPS, AES, Raman, XRD, scratch testing, macro, micro and nano-indention and the like
• Designs, produces and evaluates tribological and other functional thin film coatings using PVD and other special processes
• Supports design reviews
• Independently represents Woodward at our customers and vendors
• Supports activities that oversee engineering changes and process changes
• Supports activities that require some specialization such as electroplating, thermal spray, PVD, CVD, spray, special processing, etc.
• Performs qualification of surfaces, hard coatings, lubricant coatings
• Performs complex general failure analysis often involving systems or sub-systems, including system function considerations, operational factors, and related systems or sub-systems. Does follow-up explanation and analysis with any necessary parties
• Mentors level 1 and 2 Materials Engineers. Creates self-development plan
• Disposition NCRs and supports CAC teams
• Proposes corrective action to address nonconformance's
• Works directly with outside suppliers and customers
• Modifies, creates and approves work instructions
• Independently writes reports and presents results in accordance with scientific and engineering reporting requirements
• Participate in group meetings and corporate wide WIN meetings
• Present results at technical meetings
• Attend STLE, SVC or ICMCTF professional meetings
• Work with Universities and DOD, DOE labs
• Specialize in one area; tribological testing, coatings or surface science and continue to grow expertise and recognition and grow Woodward IP

What We Are Looking For 

Level 3 – Tribologist

• US – Bachelor's Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) Engineering required
• Greater than 4 years experience in related field or entry level PhD degree required.

Level 4 – Tribologist

• US – Bachelor's Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) Engineering required
• US – Other Post-graduate technical degree preferred
• Greater than 8 years' experience in related field, including post-graduate experience required

Woodward is an independent designer, manufacturer, and service provider of control solutions for the aerospace and energy markets. Our aerospace systems and components optimize the performance of fixed wing and rotorcraft platforms in commercial, business and military aircraft, ground vehicles and other equipment. Our energy-related systems and components enhance the performance of industrial gas and steam turbines, reciprocating engines, compressors, wind turbines, electrical grids and other energy-related industrial equipment. The company’s innovative fluid energy, combustion control, electrical energy, and motion control systems help customers offer cleaner, more reliable and more efficient equipment. Our customers include leading original equipment manufacturers and end users of their products.

Application window is anticipated to close 30 days from original posting date.

This information is provided in compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and is the company’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation range and benefits offered for this position.  The compensation offered to the successful applicant may vary based on factors including experience, skills, education, location, and other job-related reasons. 

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 

EO/AA/M/F/Disabled/Protected Veterans