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Staff/Senior Staff Systems Engineer

Woodward · Niles, IL · Full time

Posted Sep 2, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a system-level problem you found that no single discipline owned. How did you resolve it?

What they are checking: Whether they act as the integrator who sees across mechanical, electrical and software boundaries.

Tell me about a time you mentored engineers on systems engineering practices.

What they are checking: Whether they can lift a team's skill, which staff and senior staff engineers are expected to do.

How do you explain a complex system tradeoff to program managers who need to make a schedule decision?

What they are checking: Whether they can make technical tradeoffs clear enough for leaders to choose with confidence.

What would you do

A customer changes a top-level requirement late in development. How do you assess the impact?

What they are checking: Whether they use traceability to find everything affected and make the impact visible before agreeing.

Two subsystem teams disagree on how to allocate a requirement. How do you settle it?

What they are checking: Whether they resolve technical disputes with data and system-level reasoning rather than authority.

About the work

Walk me through how you develop and decompose requirements for an aerospace control system under ARP4754.

What they are checking: Whether they know the development assurance process from aircraft-level requirements down to hardware and software.

How do you manage interfaces between a control system and the rest of the aircraft or engine?

What they are checking: Whether they use interface control documents and early agreement to prevent late integration surprises.

How do you make sure every requirement is verified, and what methods do you use?

What they are checking: Whether they understand verification by test, analysis, inspection and demonstration and keep traceability complete.

How do you work with safety engineers so safety requirements are built into the design early?

What they are checking: Whether they treat safety as a design input rather than a review step at the end.

What tools have you used for requirements management and modeling, like DOORS or SysML tools?

What they are checking: Whether they have practical tool experience that supports model-based or document-based systems work.

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The full job description

As published by Woodward.

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. Staff: Estimated annual base pay: $113,200 (minimum) - $147,000 (midpoint) - $181,000 (maximum) Senior Staff: Estimated annual base pay: $145,000 (minimum) - $181,000 (midpoint) - $218,000 (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 *Open to Fort Collins, CO or Niles, IL locations* Summary: We are looking for an experienced and driven System Engineer to join our Aerospace Electronics team. In this role, you will be responsible for designing and implementing cutting-edge system architectures for our electronic solutions, solving complex technical challenges, and guiding cross-functional teams to deliver innovative technology solutions. As a trusted advisor to the leadership team, you will play a key role in shaping our technology strategies and mentoring junior engineers to ensure the delivery of robust and scalable solutions that meet business objectives. Key Responsibilities: • Electronic System Architecture Design: Develop and implement robust system architectures for Aerospace Electronics that meet organizational requirements and comply with technical standards. Ensure scalability, reliability, and efficiency in system designs to support current and future business needs. • Requirement Development and Management: Work with our customers and internal teams to identify, develop, and allocate the high-level application requirements to the controller requirements within our electronic solutions. • Technical Leadership: Lead cross-functional teams in executing complex engineering projects while ensuring alignment with project objectives, budgets, and timelines. Serve as a technical expert and decision-maker throughout the project lifecycle. • Complex Problem Solving: Identify and resolve intricate technical challenges by applying advanced analytical methods and innovative solutions. Troubleshoot critical system issues to ensure minimal disruption to business operations. • Technology Strategy Advisory: Advise senior management on emerging technologies, best practices, and industry trends to optimize system performance and business processes. Evaluate and recommend new tools, platforms, and methodologies for continuous improvement. • Mentorship and Development: Provide guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, fostering technical skill development and adherence to best practices. Promote a culture of collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing across the team. Key Skills and Qualifications: • Systems Engineering Expertise: Proven experience in designing, implementing, and managing complex system architectures across various platforms. • Requirements Management Experience: Proven familiarity in development, validation, cascade, and verification of requirements from the application level to the elements within our electronic solutions (firmware, software, electronic hardware, etc.). • Advanced Problem Solving: Exceptional analytical and critical-thinking skills to resolve intricate technical challenges with innovative solutions. • Technical Leadership: Demonstrated ability to guide and manage cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality results. • Strategic Technology Planning: Strong ability to interpret business needs and recommend effective technology strategies that align with organizational goals. • Analytical Thinking: Expertise in evaluating variables, analyzing data, and making informed decisions to enhance system performance. • Complex Communication: Ability to clearly convey sophisticated technical concepts to diverse audiences, including senior leaders and non-technical stakeholders. • Stakeholder Collaboration: Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external subject matter experts and senior leaders. • Independent Initiative: Capable of autonomously managing and executing high-level projects with minimal supervision. • Advisory Expertise: Experience providing expert consultancy to management and leadership on technical projects and strategies. • Process Improvement: Skilled at identifying and implementing best practices to enhance technology solutions and business processes. Successful candidates have: Staff: • Bachelor’s degree in sciences (BS) in relevant field AND 10+ years’ experience • Working knowledge of Aviation Development guidelines, including: ARP4754, ARP4761, DO-178, DO-254, etc. • Experience using formal Requirements Management Tools (IBM DOORS, PTC Codebeamer, etc.) • Experience supporting the creation of Safety Hazard Assessment (SHA), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) Senior Staff: • Bachelor’s degree in sciences (BS) in relevant field AND 12+ years’ experience • Working knowledge of Aviation Development guidelines, including: ARP4754, ARP4761, DO-178, DO-254, etc. • Experience using formal Requirements Management Tools (IBM DOORS, PTC Codebeamer, etc.) • Experience supporting the creation of Safety Hazard Assessment (SHA), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) 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 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. #LI-HYBRID #LI-AT1

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