Fluid Power Systems & Applications Engineer

Depatie Fluid Power Company • Portage, MI

1d

About The Position

This isn’t a back-room engineering role. You’ll be a visible, trusted technical partner—involved in conversations that shape solutions, influence customers, and drive real business outcomes. If you’re someone who wants to own your work, grow your expertise, and make a tangible impact, you’ll fit right in. You’re the kind of engineer who doesn’t just design systems—you connect people, ideas, and execution. You thrive at the intersection of customers, sales, and manufacturing, translating real-world challenges into smart, scalable fluid power solutions. You’re naturally curious and always learning. You take pride in mastering your craft, whether that’s deepening your hydraulic expertise, earning certifications, or staying ahead of emerging technologies. You don’t wait to be told what to do—you see opportunities to improve things and take action. You’re organized without being rigid, analytical without losing sight of the big picture, and confident enough to lead conversations with customers while humble enough to keep learning. Most importantly, you follow through. When you commit to something, it gets done—accurately, on time, and with a level of quality that builds trust.

Requirements

• A strong foundation in fluid power, mechanical systems, or application engineering (degree or equivalent hands-on experience)
• Real experience designing or working with hydraulic and/or pneumatic systems
• Comfort with CAD tools like SolidWorks and creating technical drawings or schematics
• A problem-solving mindset—you enjoy troubleshooting and getting to root causes
• The ability to manage multiple priorities without sacrificing quality
• Strong communication skills—you can translate technical details into practical understanding

Nice To Haves

• Have (or are pursuing) IFPS certification
• Have worked in manufacturing, distribution, or OEM environments
• Are familiar with ERP/CRM systems like NetSuite
• Enjoy thinking about how technology (including AI) can improve efficiency and workflows

Responsibilities

• Shape solutions
• Influence customers
• Drive business outcomes
• Connect people, ideas, and execution
• Translate real-world challenges into smart, scalable fluid power solutions
• Master your craft
• Deepen hydraulic expertise
• Earn certifications
• Stay ahead of emerging technologies
• Identify opportunities to improve things and take action
• Lead conversations with customers
• Follow through on commitments accurately and on time
• Build trust through quality work
• Think like an owner, balancing technical excellence with business impact
• Communicate clearly and confidently with customers, sales, and shop floor personnel
• Bring structure to complexity
• Manage multiple projects without letting details slip
• Collaborate naturally, building strong relationships across teams and with external partners
• Continuously improve by creating tools, templates, and processes
• Take initiative, identifying and solving problems proactively
• Level up technical expertise and influence
• Work toward industry certifications (like IFPS Hydraulic Specialist within your first year)
• Standardize processes and improve how work gets done across the organization
• Gain exposure across the full lifecycle—from concept and design to manufacturing and customer delivery

What This Job Offers

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