RFA Engineering (www.rfamec.com) is an engineering service provider dedicated to delivering our clients with timely engineering support and expertise. We are currently supporting one of our clients in the industrial equipment and hydraulics space in their search for a senior-level Applications Engineer.
This is a direct hire opportunity where the selected candidate will join our client’s engineering team and work closely with both engineering and sales functions to support customer applications and deliver technical solutions.
Senior Applications Engineer
The Senior Applications Engineer is responsible for providing advanced technical support for hydraulic components and systems, working directly with customers to define requirements and deliver optimized solutions. This role is highly customer-facing and combines engineering expertise with sales support and application development, requiring a strong understanding of hydraulics, application-based problem solving, and the ability to communicate effectively across both technical and commercial teams.
The ideal candidate will operate as a technical advisor and mentor, helping to strengthen internal engineering capabilities while supporting customer relationships and business growth.
Responsibilities
- Lead application engineering efforts for hydraulic systems and components
- Serve as the primary technical point of contact for customers
- Analyze customer requirements and define optimal system configurations
- Support application development, troubleshooting, and system validation
- Collaborate with sales teams to provide technical guidance on solutions and proposals
- Provide input on quoting, pricing, and product selection
- Deliver technical presentations and product training
- Work directly with customer engineering teams to resolve issues
- Mentor junior engineers and support team capability growth
- Collaborate with global engineering teams as needed
- Travel to customer sites as required (~20% domestic travel)
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
- 5+ years of application engineering experience in industrial environments
- Strong hydraulics experience REQUIRED (components + system-level understanding)
- Proven ability to solve complex technical challenges
- Experience working directly with customers on engineering applications
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work independently and lead technical efforts
Desired Attributes
- Experience with mobile/off-highway equipment (construction, agriculture, mining)
- Prior experience supporting sales teams in a technical capacity
- SolidWorks or similar CAD experience
- CRM (Salesforce) experience is a plus
- Familiarity with ISO9001 or similar quality systems
- Experience mentoring or leading other engineers
Additional Details
- Hybrid work environment based in the greater Chicago area
- Candidates should be located near a major airport to support travel requirements
- Primarily domestic travel with potential for occasional international collaboration
- Flexible work schedule with coordination required to support global teams
About the Client
Our client is a global provider of hydraulic components and systems supporting OEMs across industries such as construction, agriculture, and heavy equipment. With a growing presence in North America, the organization is focused on expanding its engineering and customer support capabilities to better serve key accounts.
The company offers a collaborative environment where engineers work closely with customers and internal teams to develop application-specific solutions. This role provides an opportunity to contribute to both technical execution and customer engagement within a rapidly evolving and expanding organization.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive base salary ($100,000 – $150,000), commensurate with experience
- Comprehensive benefits package provided by the client
- Competitive salary
- Bonus opportunity for team and individual performance
- Insurance options include Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability plans
- Employer paid life insurance
- Health Savings option available with employer contribution
- Paid vacation, sick days, and holidays
- Monthly allowances for phone, car, home office use
- 401(k) match - 100% match for 4% salary
- Company credit for work expenses
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Similar Jobs
What you need to know about the Chicago Tech Scene
Key Facts About Chicago Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 245,800; 5.2% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: McDonald’s, John Deere, Boeing, Morningstar
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech, software, logistics technology
- Funding Landscape: $2.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Arch Venture Partners, MATH Venture Partners, Jump Capital, Hyde Park Venture Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
