Chemical Engineer, Fuel Systems

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: $114,400.00 (minimum) - $143,000.00 (midpoint) - $171,600.00 (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? We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Chemical Engineer with expertise in aviation fuels and the physics of jet fuels to join our team. In this role, you will lead cutting-edge research and development initiatives focused on fuel system design, engine controls hardware, and advanced aviation fuel technologies. You will serve as Woodward’s technical authority for aviation fuel research, guiding efforts in areas such as thermal stability, alternative fuel validation, surface lubricity, coatings and surface effects, and other fuel-related properties critical to aviation hardware applications. This role also includes being a key representative to the aviation and fuels industry, participating in conferences, working groups, and consortiums to foster innovation and collaboration.

Key Responsibilities:

Aviation Fuels and Fuel System Development:

• Lead research efforts on the thermal stability, lubricity, friction, and surface interactions of jet fuels.
• Understand and validate alternative aviation fuels, verifying compliance with industry standards and impact to performance requirements.
• Innovate and evaluate coatings and treatments to enhance fuel system performance and durability.
• Apply knowledge of jet fuel physics to improve fuel system performance and reliability.
• Evaluate the impact of various fuel properties on system and hardware operation under extreme conditions.

Industry Engagement and Thought Leadership:

• Serve as a key point of contact to the aviation and fuels industry by representing Woodward at conferences, industry working groups, and consortiums.
• Present technical findings, foster collaboration, and influence industry standards and practices where applicable.
• Build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, fuel suppliers, and research institutions.

Technical Leadership and Mentorship:

• Provide technical guidance to multidisciplinary teams working on fuel-related projects.
• Mentor junior engineers and researchers, fostering a culture of innovation and technical excellence.
• Drive continuous improvement in fuel system development processes and methodologies.

Qualifications:

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering (required).
  • Master’s or PhD in Chemical Engineering or a related field (preferred).

• Experience:
  • 5–10 years of experience in aviation fuels, jet fuel physics, or related fields.
  • Dem