Applications Engineer

LeoForce; Portage (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

LeoForce in Portage, MI is seeking an Applications Engineer to design hydraulic and pneumatic systems for diverse customer applications and to troubleshoot engineering challenges throughout the project lifecycle.

This role emphasizes direct customer interaction, technical problem solving, and cross-functional collaboration with sales, manufacturing, and leadership to deliver practical, reliable engineering solutions and continuous improvements.

Qualifications

• Degree not required; equivalent industry experience welcomed.
• Experience designing or supporting hydraulic and/or pneumatic systems.
• Experience with CAD software such as SolidWorks.

Responsibilities

• Design hydraulic and pneumatic systems for customer applications.
• Create and modify engineering drawings using SolidWorks and related CAD software.
• Develop technical documentation, schematics, and application recommendations.
• Collaborate with customers to understand operational challenges and recommend engineered solutions.
• Support outside sales through technical consultation and application engineering expertise.
• Coordinate with manufacturing to ensure successful project execution.
• Troubleshoot fluid power systems and identify practical solutions.
• Manage multiple engineering projects simultaneously while maintaining high quality standards.
• Improve engineering documentation, templates, and internal processes.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives throughout the engineering organization.
• Stay current on new technologies, products, and engineering best practices.

Skills

Fluid power applications

Customer communication

Project management

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Applications Engineer

Portage, MI, US

Job Description

We are seeking a Fluid Power Systems & Applications Engineer to join our engineering team. This position combines engineering, technical problem solving, and customer interaction to develop customized hydraulic and pneumatic solutions for industrial customers.

This is not a back‑office engineering position. You'll work directly with customers, internal sales teams, and manufacturing to understand application requirements, design practical solutions, troubleshoot technical challenges, and help ensure successful project execution from concept through production.

If you enjoy solving complex engineering problems while building strong customer relationships, this role offers an outstanding opportunity for long‑term professional growth.

Experience:

Mid Level

Salary:

$80,000 - $100,000 per year

Responsibilities:

• Design hydraulic and pneumatic systems for customer applications.
• Create and modify engineering drawings using SolidWorks and related CAD software.
• Develop technical documentation, schematics, and application recommendations.
• Collaborate with customers to understand operational challenges and recommend engineered solutions.
• Support outside sales through technical consultation and application engineering expertise.
• Coordinate with manufacturing to ensure successful project execution.
• Troubleshoot fluid power systems and identify practical solutions.
• Manage multiple engineering projects simultaneously while maintaining high quality standards.
• Improve engineering documentation, templates, and internal processes.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives throughout the engineering organization.
• Stay current on new technologies, products, and engineering best practices.

Qualifications:

• Degree not required. Equivalent industry experience is welcomed.
• Experience designing or supporting hydraulic and/or pneumatic systems.
• Strong understanding of fluid power applications.
• Experience using CAD software such as SolidWorks.
• Ability to create engineer drawings and schematics.
• Strong analytical and mathematical abilities.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Comfortable communicating directly with customers.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects simultaneously.
• Manufacturing, OEM, industrial distribution, or automation experience preferred.
• IFPS certification (or interest in obtaining certification) is a plus.
• Experience with ERP or CRM systems such as NetSuite is beneficial.
• Interest in utilizing technology and AI to improve engineering workflows is welcomed.

A bit about us:

We are a well‑established engineering and industrial solutions organization that has been serving manufacturers, OEMs, and industrial customers for decades. Our team specializes in designing, engineering, and supporting custom hydraulic, pneumatic, motion control, and automation systems that solve complex operational challenges.

With continued investment in engineering capabilities, technical innovation, and customer partnerships, we are expanding our Applications Engineering team. Our engineers work collaboratively across sales, manufacturing, and customer organizations to design practical solutions that improve reliability, efficiency, and performance for customers across a wide range of industries including manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, medical, construction, agriculture, and industrial equipment.

Unlike many engineering roles that focus solely on design work, this position offers direct customer interaction, technical problem solving, and ownership throughout the entire project lifecycle—from concept through manufacturing and implementation.

Why join us?

• Join a stable, growing organization with nearly 70 years of engineering expertise and an excellent reputation in the industrial marketplace.
• Work on highly customized engineering projects rather than repetitive product design.
• Gain exposure to the complete project lifecycle including concept development, engineering, manufacturing, testing, and customer implementation.
• Collaborate directly with customers, sales, manufacturing, and leadership while becoming a trusted technical resource.
• Continue developing your hydraulic and fluid power expertise while pursuing industry certifications.
• Work alongside experienced engineers who value collaboration, continuous learning, and knowledge sharing.
• Opportunity to improve engineering processes, introduce new ideas, and influence how work gets completed.
• Broad exposure to OEM, industrial manufacturing, automation, and motion control applications across numerous industries.