Fluid Power & Controls Engineer

Valmont Industries, Inc. • Valley, NE

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Fluid Power & Controls Engineer supports the design and development of proprietary manufacturing equipment used across global operations. This role focuses on designing, integrating and supporting hydraulic, pneumatic, and motion control systems for custom capital equipment and automation platforms. This role owns fluid power architectures across the full equipment lifecycle, from concept and risk analysis through commissioning and long-term optimization, while ensuring safety, reliability, and manufacturability are considered. This individual contributor may also assist with mechanical design, documentation, testing, and implementation activities under the guidance of senior engineers.
The Fluid Power & Controls Engineer works closely with experienced engineers, designers, and fabrication teams to help deliver safe, reliable, and efficient manufacturing equipment. This position emphasizes hands-on learning, technical growth, and exposure to the full equipment development lifecycle, while building foundational skills in machine design, manufacturing systems, and engineering documentation.

Requirements

• Preferred Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related engineering discipline, or technical degree with equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of experience in fluid design/manufacturing engineering/machine design required.
• Construction / Machinery Project Management experience leading teams & managing vendors as a project manager and/or project team leader
• Ability to successfully lead and drive change on multiple projects
• Proficiency using Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and MS Project
• Proficiency with Autodesk Suite (AutoCAD, Inventor, Vault) or 3D modelling software packages
• Basic knowledge of robotics (Fanuc/Yaskawa/Kuka/Nachi)
• Proactive individual capable of independently managing and completing projects with minimal supervision
• Familiarity with designing/programming/troubleshooting PLC Hardware & Software (i.e. Control Logix 5000, Factory Talk Studio, etc.)
• The ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Aptitude of making decisions involving varied levels of risk and ambiguity
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and attention to detail in a collaborative work environment

Nice To Haves

• EIT or Professional Engineers License
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) experience
• Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) experience
• Certified Machine Safety Expert (CMSE) or similar machine safety certification
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent certification
• Knowledge of Lean tools and principle

Responsibilities

• Design hydraulic and pneumatic systems for custom capital equipment and automation platforms.
• Support the conceptual design and development of proprietary manufacturing equipment under the guidance of senior engineers.
• Develop and maintain hydraulic and pneumatic schematics, symbols, and system layouts in accordance with internal standards and applicable industry codes
• Ensure hydraulic and pneumatic systems are designed and implemented with appropriate safety measures, including pressure containment, energy isolation, and fail-safe operation
• Perform system sizing and performance calculations (e.g., flow, pressure, duty cycle, heat load) to ensure proper functionality and reliability.
• Select fluid power components based on performance requirements, reliability, safety, and total lifecycle cost.
• Diagnose and resolve hydraulic, pneumatic, and controls-related issues during build, commissioning, and operation using structured root-cause analysis
• Interface with component suppliers and vendors to evaluate components, resolve technical issues, and support system performance and reliability.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of standardized designs, specifications, and best practices for fluid power systems.
• Collaborate closely with Controls Engineers to ensure effective system integration, troubleshooting, and commissioning.
• Create and revise 3D CAD models and detailed drawings to support equipment design, fabrication, and assembly.
• Participate in design reviews, functional verification, and troubleshooting activities to identify and mitigate potential issues early in development.
• Contribute to risk assessments by identifying potential mechanical, safety, and usability concerns and supporting mitigation actions.
• Develop and maintain engineering documentation, including drawings, bills of material, operating instructions, and training materials.
• Provide day-to-day engineering support to manufacturing and fabrication teams during equipment build, installation, and commissioning.
• Assist with equipment testing and performance evaluations; document results and recommend design or process improvements.
• Support data collection related to cost, material usage, and labor to enable continuous improvement and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Ensure project documentation is accurately captured, maintained, and stored in designated digital systems.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including manufacturing, maintenance, procurement, quality, and operations.
• Work independently on assigned tasks and collaboratively within project teams to meet project goals and schedules.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with peers, supervisors, and partner teams.
• Meet or exceed established project performance, quality, and schedule objectives.
• Ability to work independently or in groups
• This role requires up to 10% travel, including overnight stays (primarily domestic travel, with some international travel)

Benefits

• Healthcare (medical, prescription drugs, dental and vision)
• 401k retirement plan with company match
• Paid time off
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employer paid short-term and long-term disability including maternity leave
• Work Life Support
• Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,250 per year
• Voluntary programs like tobacco cessation, Type 2 diabetes reversal, one-on-one health coaching, mortgage services and more

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree