Fluid Power Systems Engineer

Exotic Automation & Supply Inc.; Michigan; On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Exotic Automation & Supply Inc. in Michigan is seeking a Fluid Power Systems Engineer to translate customer needs into fully engineered hydraulic, pneumatic, and lubrication solutions. You will design, detail, and validate systems, then work with manufacturing through build, startup, and close-out to ensure success.

You'll collaborate with sales and shop teams, review specs, generate schematics and BOMs, and help optimize performance and cost while maintaining rigorous documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field; 1+ year experience may substitute.
• 2+ years detailing mechanical layouts and schematics, hydraulic/pneumatic automation a plus.
• Hands-on with design software: AutoCAD (2D), Inventor, SolidWorks, or NX.
• Strong communication with customers, sales, and shop teams; detail-oriented work.

Responsibilities

• Design custom hydraulic, pneumatic, coolant, and lubrication systems from customer specs.
• Quote and detail assemblies, support sales visits, and provide sound technical solutions.
• Finalize bills of materials and keep accurate as-built documentation.
• Collaborate with manufacturing during builds and support start-up and testing.
• Participate in peer design reviews and train sales staff on products.
• Identify process improvements, inventory needs, and vendor relationships.

Skills

Engineering mindset

Customer communication

Detail-oriented

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Tools

AutoCAD

Inventor

SolidWorks

NX

Job description

Turn customer ideas into working systems.
At Exotic Automation, we design and build custom hydraulic, pneumatic, and lubrication systems for our customers. As our Fluid Power Systems Engineer, you will be the technical partner behind our sales team: taking customer requirements, designing the solution, and seeing it through to build, start-up, and close-out. If you like solving real engineering problems and seeing your designs come to life on the shop floor, this role is for you.

What You’ll Do

• Design custom solutions. Review customer specs and performance requirements, then create schematics, layout drawings, and proposals for hydraulic, pneumatic, coolant, and lubrication systems.
• Support the sales team. Quote and detail assemblies, join customer visits when needed, and help sales win work with sound technical solutions.
• Own the documentation. Finalize bills of materials, record as-built changes from assembly, and make sure every job folder is complete at close-out.
• See it built. Work with manufacturing during system builds and support start-up and testing.
• Make the team better. Take part in peer design reviews, catch errors early, suggest improvements, and help train sales staff on products.
• Think like a business partner. Look for ways to improve efficiency, quality, and cost. Recommend inventory, build strong vendor relationships, and share what you learn about competitors.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field (1+ year of engineering work experience may substitute)
• 2+ years detailing mechanical layouts and schematics. Hydraulic and pneumatic automation experience is a strong plus.
• Hands-on experience with design software such as AutoCAD (2D), Inventor (3D), SolidWorks, or NX
• Strong communication skills and comfort working with customers, sales, and shop teams
• An eye for detail and pride in accurate, complete work

Why Exotic Automation

• Work on custom, hands-on engineering projects, not cookie-cutter designs
• See your work go from concept to finished system
• A collaborative team where engineering, sales, and manufacturing work side by side
• Part of the Value Added Companies family, with the stability of a growing organization

Exotic Automation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This position requires access to information subject to ITAR; applicants must be U.S. persons as defined by 22 CFR 120.62.