Senior Applications Engineer

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Applications Engineer provides advanced technical leadership and serves as the primary hydraulics technical contact for both Account Managers and customers. This role acts as a high-level technical bridge, conducting feasibility assessments and supporting quoting while translating complex customer requirements into functional system architectures. By combining deep technical expertise with a consultative approach, this position ensures successful system performance and high-quality technical support during both pre-sale and production phases.

Focused on the design and optimization of custom hydraulic systems for off-highway mobile equipment, the Senior Applications Engineer collaborates closely with major vendors and internal teams like Controls Engineering and the Advanced Systems Team. This individual is responsible for evaluating emerging technologies, such as electrification and smart valves, while qualifying sales opportunities through structured production support and feedback loops. The role requires a deep understanding of multi-function flow management and mobile valve platforms to ensure vendor components are perfectly integrated into client applications.

As a senior-level professional, this position requires the capacity to manage multiple concurrent projects while meeting deadlines and quality expectations in high-pressure environments.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Technical Consultation: Serve as a technical point of contact for customers, translating complex requirements into functional system architectures and component selection.

• Pre-Sale Support: Support Account Managers during the sales discovery phase by leading feasibility studies, BOM development, and technical quoting.

• Presentation & Design Review: Lead technical design reviews with customers and internal teams, presenting to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Field Support: Participate in customer visits, field testing, and equipment evaluations to troubleshoot system performance and identify areas for improvement.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as the organization’s Subject Matter Expert (SME) for application-specific hydraulics, mentoring junior staff on component selection and troubleshooting.

• Collaborate with Controls Engineering and the Advanced Systems Team to ensure proper integration of electrohydraulic controls and evaluate emerging technologies (e.g., smart valves, electrification).

• Provide structured feedback to internal engineering and vendors based on field performance and customer requirements to drive future product development.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Deep understanding of hydraulic components and system architectures, including load-sense, open-center, closed-center, and multi-function flow management.

• Significant experience with mobile valve platforms, mobile pumps, motors, actuators, manifold circuits, and integrated hydraulic control assemblies.

• Familiarity with electrohydraulic controls, CANbus interactions, performance curves, and the ability to troubleshoot systems using diagnostic tools and measurement instrumentation.

• Proficiency in CAD/3D modeling for schematic design and system layout (Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD, HydroSym).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 7-12 years of experience in applications engineering or technical sales within the mobile or off-highway equipment industry.

• Prior leadership experience providing mentorship or directing technical work, with exposure to electrification, hybrid integration, etc.

• Knowledge of reservoir optimization, thermal management, noise mitigation strategies, and related system performance considerations.

REQUIRED FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

• Customer Centricity: Ability to identify root causes and translate customer "pain points" into corrective technical actions and architectures.

• Project Prioritization: Effective time-management in a multi-project environment, meeting deadlines in high-pressure, customer-driven scenarios.

• Strong communication skills, capable of presenting complex technical topics to non-technical stakeholders and interpreting mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical schematics.

• Collaborative Mindset: A team-building instinct that contributes positively to cross-functional work and organizational culture.

PHYSICAL & MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work in both office and shop environments, including exposure to machining, fabrication, and assembly noise, and occasional lifting of components up to 40 lbs during prototype evaluations or commissioning activities.

• Comfortable standing, bending, and reaching while reviewing equipment or troubleshooting systems, with the ability to maintain focus and meet deadlines in high-pressure environments.

• Ability to travel to customer sites, vendor facilities, and job locations as required (typically < 25-30%).

DISCLAIMER

The job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise; employment in this job is an “at will” employment relationship.