Manager, Application Engineering

Manager, Application Engineering

$ - $ per year | Schaumburg, IL | On-site | Permanent

Your Hydraulic Expertise. Your Team. Your Technical Decisions. Up to $140K + bonus

A bit about us:

We are a privately-owned global leader in engineered products and solutions, supporting customers across mobile, industrial, and manufacturing markets. Our teams develop innovative hydraulic and fluid-power technologies that solve complex application challenges. We combine the resources and technical capabilities of a global organization with a collaborative, customer-focused culture where engineers can make a direct impact.

Why join us?

• $125,000–$140,000 base salary (Depending on experience - DOE)
• Annual performance bonus between $10k-$15k (DOE)
• Leadership role with ownership of a highly technical Application Engineering team
• Remain hands-on technically while developing Senior and Principal-level engineers
• Serve as the senior technical voice on complex customer hydraulic applications
• Direct exposure to customers, channel partners, Sales, Operations, and global engineering teams
• Opportunity to influence engineering standards, technical strategy, and future product development
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with company match, PTO, paid holidays, disability and life insurance

Job Details

We're looking for an experienced hydraulic engineering professional who's ready to take ownership of a talented Applications Engineering team while staying close to the technology and customers. This is a hands-on leadership opportunity focused primarily on mobile hydraulic systems and applications, combining technical expertise with team development and customer engagement. You'll serve as a key technical decision-maker, help shape engineering best practices, and work directly with customers on complex hydraulic solutions.

What You'll Do

• Serve as the division's senior technical authority, evaluating hydraulic system designs, component selections, sizing, and overall application feasibility
• Lead and mentor a team of talented Applications Engineers, helping develop technical capabilities, establish best practices, and support career progression
• Work directly with customers, distributors, and internal sales teams to understand application challenges, recommend solutions, and identify new business opportunities
• Oversee engineering project assignments, technical priorities, and workload distribution while ensuring quality and timely execution
• Partner with Manufacturing, Operations, and Supply Chain to ensure proposed hydraulic solutions can be successfully produced and delivered
• Drive technical problem-solving efforts, including design evaluations, risk assessments, root-cause analysis, and resolution of complex application challenges
• Collaborate with domestic and international engineering teams to improve existing solutions, share technical knowledge, and influence future product development

What You Bring

• 7+ years of experience in hydraulic systems, fluid power, application engineering, or closely related technical engineering roles, ideally supporting mobile equipment applications
• Strong hands-on understanding of hydraulic components, system integration, sizing, and application-specific product selection
• Experience leading, mentoring, or guiding engineers, whether through formal management or senior-level technical leadership
• Ability to evaluate complex hydraulic applications, make sound technical decisions, and balance performance, cost, and manufacturability
• Customer-facing experience with the communication skills to discuss technical solutions with engineers, sales teams, and business leaders
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related discipline preferred; equivalent practical industry experience considered

Location & Travel

Based in Schaumburg, IL, with regular travel to customer sites, distribution partners, and internal facilities. In practical terms, expect approximately 1–2 weeks per month of weekday travel (usually 3 day trips), typically Monday–Wednesday or Monday–Thursday. Travel will fluctuate based on customer needs and project activity, with some months requiring little or no travel and others involving multiple trips.