Application Engineer – Custom Cooling Solutions

Due to continued growth and expansion, HYDAC—a leading manufacturer in the fluid power industry—is seeking an experienced Application Engineer to support our Cooling Systems Division. Based in our Charlotte technology and production center, this role is vital in developing and optimizing custom cooling solutions for various markets, with a primary focus on off-highway equipment, including construction, forestry, paving, and mining machines. Additional areas may include commercial on-highway applications, power generation, and electrification products.

The Application Engineer will drive technical discussions, support customers, and ensure successful integration of HYDAC cooling technologies. This role requires passion for innovation, adaptability, and excellent communication skills to collaborate effectively with sales, engineering, production, purchasing, distribution, and product management while fostering business growth and continuous improvement initiatives.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide technical support for HYDAC cooling products, guiding customers in selection, installation, configuration, and troubleshooting.
• Work on projects assigned by Product Managers, supporting engineering activities and driving new business growth.
• Lead application engineering discussions with customers and channel partners in collaboration with the HYDAC sales team.
• Collect and define customer needs for custom cooling applications, ensuring technical and commercial feasibility.
• Assist in designing new components and assemblies to meet specific customer requirements.
• Develop and deliver technical presentations, demonstrations, and proposals, clearly communicating HYDAC’s value proposition.
• Evaluate application specifications, conduct engineering calculations, and ensure compliance with technical requirements.
• Interface with the engineering lab to coordinate testing of prototypes and support performance evaluations.  Prepare design-related quality documentation including prototype control plans, production control plans, DVP&Rs, DFMEAs, PFMEAs, and APQP processes.
• Support system and design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to enhance product quality and reliability.
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends and advancements in cooling technology to provide informed recommendations.
• Train customers, channel partners, and internal HYDAC team members on product and application solutions.
• Coordinate product and component qualifications, including design and verification testing for existing and new product lines.
• Build strong relationships with customer engineering and management teams.
• Collaborate with HYDAC teams in the U.S. and Germany to refine and advance cooling solutions.

Experience & Qualifications:

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical field (preferred).
• 5 years of application engineering experience in cooling systems, heat transfer, or thermal management.
• 1-2 years of project management experience, with an ability to manage multiple complex projects.
• Exceptional communication skills—ability to convey technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences.
• Passion for innovation and problem-solving, eager to drive advancements in cooling technology.
• High degree of flexibility and adaptability, comfortable working with customized solutions tailored to unique applications.
• Capability to acquire a high degree of technical, financial, and sales knowledge  within the responsible product line.
• Desirable software knowledge:
  • Kuli
  • SolidWorks
  • SAP
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• The  ideal candidate is logical, decisive, ethical, intuitive, ambitious,  conscientious, detail-oriented, and a strong leader.
• Willingness  to travel up to 20% domestically for customer support and technical discussions.