Design Engineer

Position Summary

The Design Engineer designs, develops, transitions to production, and supports hydraulic installation kits for mobile construction equipment. The role integrates mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and control-system principles to deliver safe, reliable, and manufacturable solutions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential duties listed below describe the principal responsibilities of the position. Additional duties may be assigned to meet business needs.

• Design, develop, and support hydraulic and control systems for off-road machinery, including excavators, wheel loaders, mini excavators, and backhoe loaders.
• Perform engineering calculations to verify system sizing, performance, and safety, including fluid flow, pressure, temperature, material strength, and basic electrical requirements.
• Select, specify, and document custom and commercial off-the-shelf components for use in engineered systems.
• Employ engineering specifications, standards, tools, and procedures to ensure all products and systems are designed in accordance with applicable industry codes and HKX best practices.
• Conduct peer reviews and request reviews of engineering work products to verify quality, manufacturability, and cost effectiveness.
• Support, lead, and influence continuous improvement activities and projects.
• Represent Engineering as a technical advisor in communications with cross-functional teams, customers, suppliers, and other external partners.
• Support, lead, and influence hands-on product development and heavy equipment research efforts.
• Support quality initiatives by investigating issues, contributing to corrective actions, and improving design practices.
• Provide technical support to customers by resolving installation, equipment-function, and performance issues.
• Potential 10% domestic or international travel to customers’ locations, supplier locations, and corporate locations.
• Identify, research, and recommend improvements to standard products, engineering processes, market reach, and customer experience.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or a related field from an ABET-accredited university or college required; coursework or concentration in controls or mechatronics preferred.
• IFPS Fluid Power System Designer Certification is desired.
• Five or more years of design experience in a mechanical, hydraulic, controls, or similar engineering environment preferred.

Qualifications

The following knowledge, skills, and abilities are representative of those required to perform this job successfully:

• Working knowledge of heavy equipment hydraulics and control theory preferred. Candidates without direct heavy equipment hydraulics experience must demonstrate the technical aptitude and commitment required to develop that knowledge quickly.
• Proficiency in drafting and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) required. Experience with 3D CAD, product data management, and simulation or schematic software preferred; SolidWorks, ePDM, and Automation Studio.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English required, including the ability to explain technical information to technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Proficiency with common Microsoft Office applications required. Familiarity with enterprise resource planning software, including Sage MAS 500, is beneficial.

Company Overview

HKX, Incorporated provides hydraulic installation kits for mobile construction equipment operators and their supply chain partners. Our mission is to expand the functionality of off-road machinery through hydraulic, fluid-conveyance, electronic, and structural solutions. HKX is located in Monroe, Washington.