Senior Application Engineer

Cindavi; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Cindavi, based in Orono, Minnesota, seeks a Principal Application Engineer to lead hydraulic system development for heavy equipment and off-highway vehicles. You will be the senior technical authority, driving new product development and engineering excellence without people management duties.

You will mentor engineers, guide complex RFQs, and ensure system-level reliability through design, validation, and collaboration with customers and manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Fluid Power, or a related discipline.
• 8+ years of hands-on experience in hydraulic system design, application engineering, or electro-hydraulic integration.
• Advanced knowledge of hydraulic systems, component specification, and machine-level troubleshooting for off-highway or OEM applications.
• Strong proficiency in hydraulic schematic development, 3D modeling, and engineering calculations.
• A proven track record of leading complex technical projects from initial concept through successful production.
• Exceptional communication skills to present technical solutions clearly to both engineers and customers.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new hydraulic components, assemblies, and integrated systems from concept through validation and production launch.
• Take ownership of complex RFQs by designing system architectures and specifying cartridge valves, spool valves, manifolds, and control components.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to our engineering team, serving as the escalation point for complex technical issues.
• Perform system-level root-cause analysis and troubleshoot field failures using data acquisition, schematics, and machine observations.
• Collaborate directly with customers, sales, design, and manufacturing to align technical solutions with operational realities.

Job description

We are looking for a Principal Application Engineer who thrives on solving complex hydraulic challenges for heavy equipment and off-highway vehicles.

About the Position:

We are seeking a deeply technical Principal Application Engineer to serve as the senior technical authority for our hydraulic and electro-hydraulic systems. In this role, you will tackle our most complex customer applications, lead new product development, and drive technical excellence across our engineering team. You will not be bogged down by people management; instead, you will use your deep expertise in off-highway and OEM hydraulic circuits to innovate, solve problems, and mentor developing engineers. We are a collaborative, family-owned manufacturer where your engineering decisions directly impact equipment performance and customer success.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of new hydraulic components, assemblies, and integrated systems from concept through validation and production launch.
• Take ownership of complex RFQs by designing system architectures and specifying cartridge valves, spool valves, manifolds, and control components.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to our engineering team, serving as the escalation point for complex technical issues.
• Perform system-level root-cause analysis and troubleshoot field failures using data acquisition, schematics, and machine observations.
• Collaborate directly with customers, sales, design, and manufacturing to align technical solutions with operational realities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Fluid Power, or a related discipline.
• 8+ years of hands-on experience in hydraulic system design, application engineering, or electro-hydraulic integration.
• Advanced knowledge of hydraulic systems, component specification, and machine-level troubleshooting for off-highway or OEM applications.
• Strong proficiency in hydraulic schematic development, 3D modeling, and engineering calculations.
• A proven track record of leading complex technical projects from initial concept through successful production.
• Exceptional communication skills to present technical solutions clearly to both engineers and customers.

Join our team in Orono, Minnesota, and step into a role where your technical expertise truly matters. We offer a hands-on environment, a collaborative culture, and the opportunity to see your designs built and tested under one roof. If you are ready to make a definitive impact on the fluid power industry,