Freelance Hydraulic System Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Company Profile

With over 80 years of innovation, JCB is the world’s largest privately owned manufacturer of construction and agricultural equipment. Operating 23 manufacturing facilities across four continents—including the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and Brazil—JCB produces a diverse portfolio of more than 300 products. These include telescopic handlers, backhoe loaders, excavators, wheel loaders, compact excavators, skid steer loaders, compact track loaders, access aerial work platforms, rough terrain forklifts, and tractors.

At the heart of JCB’s success are its people. As a family-owned business, we are accountable to our customers—not shareholders—which gives us the flexibility to focus on long-term innovation and delivering real value. This independence allows us to continuously develop advanced technologies and integrate them into equipment designed to perform in the toughest environments while maximizing customer productivity.

At JCB, we stand behind our products—and our name—with pride and commitment to quality.

Position Purpose

The Senior Hydraulic Engineer – JCB Access will serve as the technical authority for hydraulic system design, integration, analysis, and validation across the entire Aerial Work Platform (AWP) product range.

This role ensures JCB Access machines deliver best-in-class performance, controllability, robustness, and compliance with global safety and regulatory standards. The position will be based at the JCB World Headquarters in Rocester, UK, until Q1 2027, working closely with global cross-functional engineering teams. In Q1 2027, the role will transition permanently to the new JCB San Antonio manufacturing facility, supporting the expansion of Access engineering capability in North America. This engineer will lead hydraulic architecture creation, circuit design, simulation, component selection, system performance evaluation, and validation planning throughout the full product lifecycle.

Position Type

Full Time, Exempt

Location

Onsite in San Antonio, Texas: 13210 Palo Alto Road, San Antonio, TX 78224

Benefits and Other Compensation

JCB offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401 (k) retirement plan; paid time off and paid holidays.

Application Process

Applications will be accepted through Careers | JCB Careers | JCB Jobs | JCB or via LinkedIn. The anticipated application window will close on August 19, 2026.  

Major Tasks, Responsibilities & Key Accountabilities

Hydraulic System Design & Leadership

• Lead the design, development, and optimisation of hydraulic circuits for boom lifts, scissor lifts, chassis functions, and auxiliary systems.
• Define hydraulic architectures that meet performance, safety, efficiency, and cost targets.
• Select appropriate hydraulic components, including pumps, valves, manifolds, cylinders, accumulators, filters, and hosing.
• Ensure all designs meet functional safety and AWP-specific stability and control requirements. 

 Simulation, Analysis & Technical Execution

• Create hydraulic schematics and simulation models to validate flow, pressure, load handling, thermal behaviour, and system response.
• Use modelling tools to optimise system performance and guide design decisions.
• Validate component and system behaviour through structured test plans, data analysis, and correlation with simulation.
• Ensure compliance with ANSI, CSA, CE, ISO, and other global hydraulic and AWP regulatory requirements. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with NPIP engineering teams to ensure hydraulic systems meet new product requirements throughout concept, design, and validation phases.
• Support Current Product Engineering by resolving field issues, conducting root-cause analysis, and implementing system improvements.
• Work closely with Test & Validation to define hydraulic test requirements and interpret results.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering to optimise hydraulic routing, assembly processes, and production-quality assurance. 

Prototyping & Validation

• Support prototype builds to ensure proper hydraulic system integration and functional performance.
• Review hydraulic BOMs, schematics, and commissioning procedures.
• Lead on-machine tuning and system calibration activities for new and existing products.

Technical Mentorship & Standards Development

• Serve as the senior subject matter expert for hydraulic systems within the Access division.
• Mentor engineers in hydraulic theory, analysis techniques, simulation tools, and machine safety principles.
• Contribute to engineering standards, design guidelines, simulation models, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Fluid Power Engineering, or related discipline.
• Extensive Aerial Work Platform (AWP) hydraulic system design experience is mandatory.
• 7+ years of hydraulic engineering experience with strong knowledge of fluid power principles, component selection, and system integration.
• Experience working with load handling, proportional control, hydraulic manifolds, and machine functional safety.
• Knowledge of global AWP regulatory standards (ANSI, CSA, CE, ISO).
• Strong analytical capability with understanding of flow, pressure, thermal behaviour, and dynamic system response.
• Experience developing hydraulic systems for boom or scissor lifts.
• Background in prototype development, hydraulic commissioning, and system tuning.
• Knowledge of DFM/DFA, hydraulic manufacturing processes, and cost optimisations.
• Experience with Automation Studio for hydraulic modelling and simulation is a strong asset.
• Must pass any drug screens, background checks, and any pre-employment tests, which will be conducted in accordance with applicable law.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with NX and Teamcenter.
• Professional Engineer (PE) designation.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Competencies

• Expert hydraulic system design capability
• Strong analytical and simulation skills
• Effective cross-functional communication
• Ability to lead design reviews and technical decisions
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting capability
• Continuous improvement mindset

Job Conditions

• Manufacturing/factory environment.
• Subject to noise and temperature changes.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Must be able to work flexible schedule, including Friday - Sunday 6am -6pm 
• Must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 10lbs, frequently and/or move up to 35lbs, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50lbs.
• Must be able to perform continuous, repetitious physical activities.  These activities may involve fine movements or large motions.
• Must be able to grasp/pinch small items, reach out and up, and turn wrist.
• Must be capable of keeping pace with current production speed.
• Must be able to push/pull with reasonable force.
• Must be able to perform the following requirements of bending, stooping, climbing, kneeling, and standing for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to work in multiple climates including hot/cold temperatures, and dusty environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

JCB is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. JCB complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment at every location where the company has facilities.  All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability statute, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, and local laws.

EEO EMPLOYER/VET/DISABLED.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

JCB complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the JCB Human Resources team at hrsupport@jcb.com.

JCB Inc. is not currently hiring individuals for this position who now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status; however, as a global company, JCB offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S., which can be found through our website at https://www.jcb.com/en-gb/about/careers.

Disclaimer: This job description is general in nature and is not designed to contain or to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.