Industrial Hydraulic Specialist

Golden-Aluminum-2; Fort Lupton (CO); On-site; USD 55,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive hourly wage

Profit-sharing plan

401k company match

Medical, dental and vision coverage

Health Savings Account with companycon

Tuition reimbursement

Gym membership reimbursement

Job summary

Golden Aluminum in Fort Lupton, CO is seeking a highly skilled Industrial Hydraulic Specialist to maintain and optimize high-pressure fluid power systems powering extrusion presses and furnaces.

You will diagnose, repair, calibrate proportional/servo valves, monitor fluids, perform PdM, update schematics, and ensure safety in a hot-metal environment while supporting 24/7 operations.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years in industrial fluid power maintenance in a heavy manufacturing environment.
• High school diploma; technical certificate or associate degree preferred.
• IFPS Hydraulic certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Heavy Equipment Maintenance: Diagnose, repair, and rebuild high-pressure hydraulic pumps, cylinders, motors, and accumulators on extrusion presses and furnace tilting systems.
• Proportional & Servo Systems: Program, calibrate, and troubleshoot electronic proportional and servo valves integrated with automated PLC networks.
• Fluid Condition Monitoring: Manage fluid contamination levels, perform oil sampling, and oversee filtration and handling of specialized fluids.
• Predictive Maintenance (PdM): Conduct accumulator nitrogen charging, ultrasonic leak detection, and circuit pressure testing to prevent downtime.
• Circuit & Documentation Updates: Read and update hydraulic schematics; suggest modifications to improve reliability.
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA): Investigate failures and implement permanent corrective actions with engineering.
• Safety & Compliance: Adhere to LOTO and safety practices in molten aluminum zones.

Skills

Hydraulic systems

Proportional/Servo valves

PLC integration

Diagnostics & troubleshooting

Safety compliance

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical certificate or Associate degree in Fluid Power or Mechanical Technology

Tools

Flow meters

Pressure transducers

Diagnostic equipment

Job description

Description

The future. It’s on you. You & Golden Aluminum. We are a continuous casting aluminum rolling mill who established operations in 1984 and located in Fort Lupton Colorado, 35 miles north of downtown Denver. We care about our environment, our people, and our community. We’re honored to be selected by the Department of Energy to receive up to $22.3 million in investment supporting our Nexcast Mini Mill and other breakthrough projects which will steer the aluminum industry toward a greener, decarbonized future.

Benefits include:

• $40+ and up depending on qualification and experience
• Up to $1,200 per quarter profit-sharing plan
• 401k company match
• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• Health Savings Account with generous company contributions
• Tuition and gym membership reimbursement
• Much more!

We are seeking a highly skilled Industrial Hydraulic Specialist to be the dedicated technical expert responsible for ensuring the reliability, safety, and peak performance of our heavy-duty fluid power systems. You will directly maintain, troubleshoot, and optimize high-pressure hydraulics powering critical machinery, including melting furnaces and rolling mills. The ideal candidate possesses deep technical knowledge of high-flow pumping systems, proportional/servo valve calibration, and PLC integration, alongside a strict commitment to safety protocols required in a hot-metal environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Heavy Equipment Maintenance: Diagnose, repair, and rebuild high-pressure hydraulic pumps, cylinders, motors, and accumulators on extrusion presses and furnace tilting systems.
• Proportional & Servo Systems: Program, calibrate, and troubleshoot electronic proportional and servo valves integrated with automated PLC networks.
• Fluid Condition Monitoring: Manage fluid contamination levels, execute regular oil sampling, and oversee the filtration and handling of specialized fire-resistant fluids (e.g., water-glycol, synthetic esters).
• Predictive Maintenance (PdM): Perform regular accumulator nitrogen charging, ultrasonic leak detection, circuit pressure testing, and thermal imaging to identify failures before they cause downtime.
• Circuit & Documentation Updates: Read, interpret, and update complex hydraulic blueprints and schematics; recommend engineering modifications to improve system reliability under harsh conditions.
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA): Investigate recurring component failures and collaborate with the engineering team to implement permanent corrective modifications.
• Safety & Compliance: Adhere to all plant safety regulations, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), confined space entry, and specific hazards related to molten aluminum zones.

Requirements

• Minimum of 3–5 years of industrial fluid power maintenance experience, specifically within a heavy manufacturing environment (e.g., aluminum mill, steel foundry, or heavy forging).
• High school diploma or equivalent required. A technical certificate or Associate degree in Fluid Power, Industrial Systems, or Mechanical Technology is highly preferred.
• International Fluid Power Society (IFPS) certification as a Hydraulic Mechanic, Technician, or Specialist is strongly preferred.
• Proficient in troubleshooting complex hydraulic circuits, tuning proportional valves, and using advanced diagnostic equipment (flow meters, pressure transducers).
• Ability to work the hours necessary to support 24/7 operations.