Senior Application Engineer

Cindavi; Waterloo (IA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Cindavi, based near Orono, Minnesota, is seeking a Principal Application Engineer to lead hydraulic and electro-hydraulic systems from concept through production. You will tackle our most complex customer applications and guide new product development in a hands-on, technical leadership role.

This role emphasizes deep engineering expertise over people management, with mentoring of engineers and collaboration with customers, sales, design, and manufacturing to ensure robust, field-ready solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, mechatronics, fluid power, or related field.
• 8+ years of hands-on hydraulic system design or electro-hydraulic integration.
• Advanced knowledge of hydraulic systems, component specification, and troubleshooting.
• Strong proficiency in hydraulic schematic development, 3D modeling, and engineering calculations.
• Proven track record leading complex technical projects from concept to production.
• Exceptional communication skills for presenting solutions to 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.

Skills

Hydraulic schematics

3D modeling

Root-cause analysis

Customer collaboration

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics

Bachelor's degree in Fluid Power

Job description

Based in Iowa or Illinois and ready for your next move? Bring your hydraulic engineering expertise to a high-impact technical leadership role in the Minneapolis area, where you will shape complex off-highway systems from concept through production.

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.