Engineering Manager

Company Description

Hydra-Power Systems, Inc. is a leading distributor of hydraulic and pneumatic components, specializing in integrated circuit hydraulic manifolds and custom hydraulic power units. With operations in Portland, Oregon and Birmingham, Alabama, we supply high-quality fluid power components to industry leaders globally. Our dedicated team of in-house engineers offers creative solutions for design, from one-off power units to high-volume OEM manifolds, making us a respected innovator in the field.

Position Overview

This is a full-time on-site Engineering Manager role located in Portland, OR at Hydra-Power Systems, Inc. We are seeking an experienced Engineering Manager to lead and develop a multidisciplinary engineering team responsible for hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical design projects. This role involves organizing, evaluating, and directing activities related to fluid power circuit design, manifold development, electrical control systems, and integrated fluid power solutions. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in hydraulics and proven leadership experience, ensuring designs are delivered on time and meet the highest quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead a team of engineers across manifold design, electronic controls, and industrial custom power unit disciplines.
• Assign, monitor, and balance individual workloads to optimize project schedules and maintain capacity management.
• Provide mentorship, coaching, and professional development to team members.

Technical Oversight

• Organize and direct design activities including fluid power circuit layouts, manifold design, and electrical control system development.
• Ensure thorough review of designs, documentation, and specifications, supporting manufacturing and testing activities.
• Promote continuous improvement in engineering workflows, documentation, and data management.

Standards & Processes

• Develop, deploy, and ensure compliance with engineering standards, procedures, and best practices.
• Collaborate with the Operations Manager/Director to set and refine engineering goals, processes, and priorities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Sales, Manufacturing, Procurement, Quality, and external suppliers/customers to meet project requirements.
• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration to align engineering output with customer and business needs.

Software & Tools Management

• Oversee the team’s usage of HyDraw, MDtools, Autodesk Vault, Inventor, and AutoCAD.
• Collaborate with IT on software/hardware upgrades, deployments, and license renewals to ensure optimal workflow.

Performance Metrics & Continuous Improvement

• Track and drive on-time delivery of engineering designs and the resolution of Engineering Change Requests.
• Champion initiatives to improve design quality, reduce lead times, and enhance overall efficiency.

Preferred Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (from an accredited 4-year college).

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in hydraulics, fluid power, or a closely related field.
• Proven track record of managing and developing engineering teams.
• Demonstrated experience implementing and refining engineering standards and processes.

Technical Proficiency:

• Certified Fluid Power Specialist (CFPS) or International Fluid Power Society (IFPS) certification.
• Familiarity with HyDraw, MDtools, Autodesk Vault, Inventor, and AutoCAD.
• Strong understanding of fluid power, manifolds, and electrical control systems.

Leadership Skills:

• Strategic thinker with excellent delegation and mentoring abilities.
• Effective communicator capable of aligning cross-functional stakeholders.