Learn Dutch: Ik wilde graag de baan in de fabriek. - I really wanted the job in the factory.

Wilde is the simple past tense of the modal verb willen (to want). To form the simple past for singular subjects like ik, jij, or hij, Dutch takes the past stem of the verb and adds -e. So ik wil (I want) becomes ik wilde (I wanted).

The translation says "really wanted", but doesn't graag usually mean "gladly"?

Yes, literally graag means "gladly" or "with pleasure". However, when you use graag together with a form of willen (to want), it acts as an intensifier to show strong desire. Ik wilde graag is the most natural way to say "I really wanted" in Dutch.

Don't modal verbs usually need a second verb at the end of the sentence, like hebben (to have)?

Often they do! But just like in English, if you want a physical thing or a specific position, you can use willen (and its past tense wilde) directly with a noun. You don't have to add hebben at the end. Ik wilde de baan simply means "I wanted the job."

Could I use het werk instead of de baan in this sentence?