Cooling, Systems Integration & Hydraulics Engineer – Defence

ARi; Peoria (IL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Vision Coverage

Paid Time Off

Company Holidays

Parental Leave

Bereavement Leave

401(k) Plan

Job summary

ARi, headquartered in East Peoria, IL, is a global engineering firm delivering innovative solutions for defense and automotive sectors. We design cooling and hydraulic systems, perform system integration, and drive product development across teams.

The role emphasizes CAD proficiency (Creo/CATIA/NX), BOM creation, and collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers to ensure robust, manufacturable designs with military compliance.

Qualifications

• Experience designing cooling and hydraulic subsystems for vehicle applications.
• Ability to integrate engine, transmission, cooling, and auxiliary systems.
• Strong CAD skills and documentation discipline.
• Familiarity with ECR/ECO processes and PLM systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and integrate cooling, hydraulic, and auxiliary systems.
• Develop thermal management solutions including radiators, coolers and fans.
• Design and integrate hydraulic components and circuits.
• Coordinate system-level integration for optimal performance.
• Perform packaging studies and interface analyses for manufacturability.
• Create 3D CAD models and BOMs using Creo or equivalent.
• Support prototype builds, testing and validation throughout development.
• Participate in design reviews and configuration management activities.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and purchasing teams.
• Ensure designs meet Caterpillar standards and military requirements.

Skills

Cooling systems integration

Hydraulic systems integration

Vehicle subsystem integration

3D CAD: Creo/CATIA/NX

GD&T & engineering drawings

BOMs & documentation

ECR/ECO & PLM familiarity

Analytical problem-solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Prototype support & validation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical / Automotive / Agricultural Engineering

38 years of experience in cooling/hydraulic systems or powertrain design

Creo/CATIA/Siemens NX proficiency

Experience with PLM (Teamcenter/ Windchill)

Defense/heavy equipment industry exposure

Tools

Creo

CATIA

Siemens NX

Teamcenter

Windchill

Job description

ARi, headquartered in East Peoria, IL, USA, is a rapidly expanding global engineering enterprise. The essence of our i symbolizes our distinctiveness from competitors an embodiment of innovation, intelligence, ingenuity, and insight. Boasting a diverse team of over 1,500 engineering experts hailing from various nations and cultures across the globe, we are excellently poised to provide intricate and personalized resolutions to our esteemed clients.

Duties / Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and integrate cooling, hydraulic, and auxiliary systems for defense powertrain applications.
• Develop thermal management solutions, including radiators, charge air coolers, oil coolers, coolant routing, fans, pumps, heat exchangers, and associated components.
• Design and integrate hydraulic systems, including pumps, valves, actuators, reservoirs, filters, hoses, tubing, and hydraulic control circuits.
• Coordinate system-level integration of engine, transmission, cooling, hydraulic, and auxiliary subsystems to ensure optimal vehicle performance and reliability.
• Perform system packaging studies, interface analysis, and installation reviews to optimize space utilization, manufacturability, serviceability, and maintainability.
• Create and maintain 3D CAD models, assemblies, engineering drawings, and Bills of Materials (BOMs) using Creo or equivalent CAD software.
• Support prototype builds, vehicle integration, laboratory testing, validation, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Participate in design reviews, Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), and configuration management activities.
• Collaborate with systems engineering, manufacturing, validation, purchasing, suppliers, and program management teams to ensure successful product development and integration.
• Ensure designs comply with Caterpillar engineering standards, military requirements, and applicable industry regulations.
• Drive continuous product improvements by resolving design issues and implementing corrective actions.

Required Skills

• Strong experience in cooling system, hydraulic system, and vehicle subsystem integration.
• Knowledge of thermal management systems, including radiators, charge air coolers, oil coolers, coolant routing, fans, pumps, and heat exchangers.
• Experience designing hydraulic systems, including pumps, valves, actuators, reservoirs, filters, hydraulic hoses, tubing, and control circuits.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software such as Creo, CATIA, or Siemens NX.
• Strong understanding of component packaging, vehicle integration, GD&T, engineering drawings, and Design for Manufacturing/Assembly (DFM/DFA).
• Experience creating and maintaining Bills of Materials (BOMs) and engineering documentation.
• Familiarity with Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), configuration management, and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with cross-functional engineering teams.
• Ability to support prototype builds, validation testing, and product development from concept through production.

Education / Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 38 years of experience in cooling systems, hydraulic systems, vehicle integration, or powertrain system design.
• Experience using Creo, CATIA, Siemens NX, or equivalent 3D CAD software.
• Experience supporting prototype builds, validation testing, and system performance analysis.
• Experience with Teamcenter, Windchill, or other Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems is preferred.
• Experience in defense, military, heavy equipment, construction, mining, agricultural, or off-highway vehicle industries is highly preferred.
• Knowledge of engine cooling, transmission cooling, hydraulic power systems, auxiliary equipment integration, and vehicle packaging is strongly preferred.

The Benefits Of Working At ARi

• From day one, we offer our full-time employees group health, dental, and life insurance coverage.
• Vision coverage is available on the first of the following month.
• We also understand the importance of recharging your batteries, and that is why we offer paid time off, sick days, company holidays, maternity/paternity leave, and bereavement to full-time employees.
• We also maintain a 401(k) program for all employees that meet specific eligibility requirements.

We hire talented people from all walks of life because we believe it strengthens our company. If you want to join a team with a diverse culture that strictly upholds and fulfills employee needs,