Manufacturing Engineer

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer

Location: Modesto, CA

Reporting to: Branch Manager

Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Expected Starting Salary: $75,000 - $85,000

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) Match, Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP), PTO, Paid Holidays, Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, EAP

 

About Hydraulic Controls, Inc.

Hydraulic Controls, Inc. is a 100% employee-owned premier fluid power distributor serving customers throughout the Western United States. For more than 60 years, our employee-owners and supplier partners have built our reputation on ethical business practices, value-added customer service, technical expertise, and local inventory.

We are a practical, relationship-driven company with a strong operational focus. Our branches support customers who rely on responsive service, dependable products, and people who know how to solve problems.

Who We’re Looking For

We are looking for a hands-on manufacturing engineer who enjoys solving practical equipment and process problems in a production environment. This role is a good fit for someone with a strong technical foundation, mechanical curiosity, and the drive to take ownership of wire processing equipment, tooling, documentation, and continuous improvement efforts.

• Hands-On Problem Solver – Comfortable diagnosing equipment and process issues, identifying root causes, and implementing practical corrective actions.


• Process and Documentation Discipline – Understands the importance of standard setups, work instructions, tooling records, preventive maintenance, and repeatable production practices.


• Continuous Improvement Mindset – Looks for ways to improve uptime, reduce setup time, increase throughput, and reduce scrap or rework.


• Collaborative Technical Ownership – Works effectively with Production, Engineering, and Quality while providing technical guidance and support to production personnel.

 

Position Summary

The Manufacturing Engineer is primarily responsible for the performance, reliability, and continuous improvement of all wire processing equipment, tooling, and associated manufacturing processes. This role serves as the single point of accountability for ensuring wire processing operations are stable, standardized, and capable of supporting predictable production outcomes.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Owns performance, uptime, and reliability of all wire processing equipment, including cut/strip machines, crimp presses, applicators, and wire marking systems.


• Establishes and maintains preventive maintenance (PM) programs to ensure equipment availability.


• Diagnoses equipment failures, performs root cause analysis, and implements corrective actions.


• Maintains critical spare parts inventory and ensures equipment readiness for production.


• Responsible for all wire processing tooling, including applicators, dies, blades, hand tools, and supporting components.


• Establishes tooling standards for setup, calibration, inspection, and replacement, including tooling life management.


• Defines and maintains standard machine setups, parameters, and process conditions.


• Develops and maintains work instructions, setup sheets, and process documentation.


• Identifies and implements process improvements to reduce setup time, increase throughput, and reduce scrap/rework.


• Monitors and analyzes equipment and process performance metrics, including uptime, efficiency, and recurring issues.


• Serves as primary liaison between production, engineering, and quality to resolve wire processing issues and improve manufacturability.


• Maintains a clean, safe, and organized work environment and ensures compliance with company policies and safety standards.


• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

 

Qualifications

• Associate degree in a technical field or equivalent hands-on experience in manufacturing, Bachelors degree strongly preferred.


• 2 years experience with wire processing equipment, tooling, or related manufacturing systems.


• Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting ability.


• Experience with crimping, wire termination, and quality standards preferred.


• Ability to read and interpret drawings, BOMs, and process documentation.


• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.


• Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively to production needs.

 

Work Location

This role is located at our production facility in Modesto, California.

 

Benefits and Perks

HCI offers a strong benefits package designed to support employees and their families, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with low deductibles and low out-of-pocket max expenses


• 401(k) plan with a 4.5% company match


• 100% employee-owned through HCI’s Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) 


• Paid time off


• Paid holidays


• Employer paid life insurance


• Employer paid disability insurance


• Employee Assistance Program

Through HCI’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan, or ESOP, eligible employees can build an ownership stake in the company over time at no direct cost to them, subject to plan eligibility and vesting requirements.

 

Equal Employment Opportunity

Hydraulic Controls, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We consider applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to participate in the hiring process and perform the essential functions of the position.