Fluid Power Systems & Applications Engineer

Depatie Fluid Power Co.; Portage (MI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Depatie Fluid Power Co. is seeking a hands-on engineer who will not just design systems but connect customers, sales, and manufacturing to deliver fluid power solutions.

You’ll own projects, translate real-world challenges into scalable designs, and grow your hydraulics expertise while pursuing certifications. The role emphasizes collaboration across teams and early involvement with customers.

Qualifications

• Strong foundation in fluid power and mechanical systems.
• Experience designing or working with hydraulic or pneumatic systems.
• Proficient with CAD tools and creating schematics.
• Effective communicator translating technical details to practical terms.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with customers, sales and manufacturing to translate challenges into solutions.
• Capture and translate requirements into fluid power designs.
• Develop technical drawings and schematics for projects.
• Contribute to process improvements and standardization across teams.

Skills

Fluid power

Mechanical systems

Application engineering

Technical drawings

Root cause analysis

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Degree or equivalent hands-on experience

Tools

SolidWorks

NetSuite

Job description

Why This Role Stands Out

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.

What You Bring To The Table

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.

How You Show Up

• You think like an owner, balancing technical excellence with business impact
• You communicate clearly and confidently, whether you’re talking to a customer, a salesperson, or someone on the shop floor
• You bring structure to complexity, managing multiple projects without letting details slip
• You collaborate naturally, building strong relationships across teams and with external partners
• You continuously improve, creating tools, templates, and processes that make the team better over time
• You take initiative, identifying problems before they become issues and solving them proactively

Where You'll Grow

• You’ll deepen your knowledge in fluid power systems and work toward industry certifications (like IFPS Hydraulic Specialist within your first year)
• You’ll expand your impact beyond individual projects by helping standardize processes and improve how work gets done across the organization
• You’ll gain exposure across the full lifecycle—from concept and design to manufacturing and customer delivery

What You Bring

• 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

Bonus Points If You

• 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