{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"500b496da71f16fcd146c5ef","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/500b496da71f16fcd146c5ef","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/500b496da71f16fcd146c5ef","title":"Principal Application Engineer","description":"Description:\n\nJOB PURPOSE or JOB SUMMARY:\n\nThe Principal Application Engineer serves as JEM's technical authority for hydraulic and electro-hydraulic systems, leading the development of innovative products and solving complex customer application challenges. This position provides technical leadership across new product development, advanced application engineering, prototype validation, and field support while establishing engineering best practices and mentoring engineers across the organization.\n\nWorking across Sales, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and key customers, the Principal Application Engineer translates emerging market needs into new products, validates advanced hydraulic systems, and resolves the company's most technically challenging application issues.\n\nUnlike a management role, this position leads primarily through technical expertise, innovation, and influence rather than direct personnel supervision.\n\nESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:\n\nNew Product Development\n\nLead development of new hydraulic components, assemblies, and integrated systems from concept through validation and production launch.\nDefine technical requirements, system architecture, validation plans, and performance criteria.\nLead design reviews, technical risk assessments, prototype evaluations, and product validation activities.\nIdentify opportunities for new products, technologies, and improvements based on customer and market needs.\n\nDesign & Documentation\n\nCreate and review hydraulic schematics, 3D CAD models, 2D drawings, system layouts, and technical specifications.\nLead integration of valves, manifolds, sensors, actuators, and control components.\nMaintain accurate engineering documentation within PDM and ERP systems.\nLead or support engineering change processes and development of design standards and best practices.\n\nMachine & Field Support\n\nLead troubleshooting of complex customer machine issues, field failures, prototype concerns, and production problems.\nPerform system-level root-cause analysis using hydraulic measurements, data acquisition, schematics, and machine observations.\nDevelop and validate corrective actions and design improvements.\nSupport customer site visits, commissioning, field testing, and troubleshooting as required.\n\nTechnical Leadership & Collaboration\n\nProvide technical guidance and mentoring to engineers and technicians.\nLead technical reviews and serve as an escalation point for complex engineering issues.\nShare lessons learned, engineering standards, and best practices across the organization.\nWork closely with sales, quality, operations, manufacturing, purchasing, and customers to align technical and business objectives.\nEngage directly with customers to clarify requirements, provide technical support, and ensure product performance meets expectations.\n\nOther Duties\n\nMaintain compliance with JEM policies, ISO, OSHA, and AWAIR standards.\nUphold JEM’s mission, vision, and core values in all interactions.\nPerform additional duties as assigned to support business and engineering needs.\n\nAn individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.\n\nCOMPETENCIES:\n\nTechnical Expertise\nDemonstrates advanced knowledge of hydraulic, electro-hydraulic, mechanical, and control systems. Applies engineering theory effectively to product development, testing, troubleshooting, and customer applications.\n\nTechnical Leadership\nProvides direction and guidance through expertise, sound judgment, mentoring, and influence.\n\nSystems Thinking\nUnderstands the interactions between mechanical, electrical, and control systems. Anticipates how design choices affect manufacturability, reliability, and performance across the full product lifecycle.\n\nAdvanced Problem Solving\nUses practical, methodical approaches to identify, analyze, and resolve technical challenges. Capable of troubleshooting complex hydraulic or control systems both independently and collaboratively.\n\nCross-Functional Collaboration\nEffectively partners with applications, design, controls, production, and quality teams. Communicates clearly to align expectations, share insights, and support cross-departmental objectives.\n\nProject Execution and Ownership\nDrives complex technical projects from concept through completion while managing risk, priorities, and deliverables.\n\nCommunication and Professionalism\nCommunicates complex technical information clearly and professionally with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Represents JEM with integrity and a customer-focused attitude.\n\nSafety and Quality Commitment\nPrioritizes safe work practices and adherence to ISO, OSHA, and AWAIR standards. Consistently contributes to maintaining high product and process quality standards.\n\nPHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:\n\nWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, climb, or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.\nThe employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.\nSpecific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.\n\nThe mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.\n\nWORKING ENVIRONMENT:\n\nThis position is based on-site at JEM’s Orono facility to support hands-on engineering, testing, and production activities.\nWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to work near moving mechanical parts.\nThe noise level in the work environment can be loud at times.\n\nThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this position.\n\nRequirements:\nBachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Fluid Power, or related discipline.\n8+ years of experience in hydraulic system design, application engineering, new product development, fluid power testing, or electro-hydraulic integration.\nDemonstrated experience leading complex technical projects from concept through production.\nAdvanced knowledge of hydraulic systems, components, machine-level integration, and troubleshooting.\nStrong proficiency in hydraulic schematic development, engineering calculations, 3D modeling, and 2D drafting.\nExperience with test equipment setup, data acquisition, and troubleshooting.\nKnowledge of ECO processes, PDM/ERP systems, and NPD workflows.\nExposure to PLC/HMI systems or mobile controls (CODESYS or C++ experience a plus).\nCAD/Solid modeling skills required. SolidWorks and SolidWorks Electrical expertise preferred.\nAdvanced computer skills required.\nValid driver’s license, ability to drive independently, and maintain a safe driving record.\nMinimum travel up to 20%","company":"Jemtechnical","rawCompany":"jemtechnical","city":"Orono","state":"MN","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-09-16T10:35:21.820Z","occupations":[{"code":"17-2199.00","title":"Engineers, All Other","slug":"engineers-all-other"},{"code":"17-2141.00","title":"Mechanical Engineers","slug":"mechanical-engineers"},{"code":"11-9041.00","title":"Architectural and Engineering Managers","slug":"architectural-and-engineering-managers"}],"industries":[{"code":"333248","title":"All Other Industrial Machinery Manufacturing","slug":"all-other-industrial-machinery-manufacturing"},{"code":"541330","title":"Engineering Services","slug":"engineering-services"},{"code":"333996","title":"Fluid Power Pump and Motor Manufacturing","slug":"fluid-power-pump-and-motor-manufacturing"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Principal Application Engineer","description":"Description:\n\nJOB PURPOSE or JOB SUMMARY:\n\nThe Principal Application Engineer serves as JEM's technical authority for hydraulic and electro-hydraulic systems, leading the development of innovative products and solving complex customer application challenges. This position provides technical leadership across new product development, advanced application engineering, prototype validation, and field support while establishing engineering best practices and mentoring engineers across the organization.\n\nWorking across Sales, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and key customers, the Principal Application Engineer translates emerging market needs into new products, validates advanced hydraulic systems, and resolves the company's most technically challenging application issues.\n\nUnlike a management role, this position leads primarily through technical expertise, innovation, and influence rather than direct personnel supervision.\n\nESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:\n\nNew Product Development\n\nLead development of new hydraulic components, assemblies, and integrated systems from concept through validation and production launch.\nDefine technical requirements, system architecture, validation plans, and performance criteria.\nLead design reviews, technical risk assessments, prototype evaluations, and product validation activities.\nIdentify opportunities for new products, technologies, and improvements based on customer and market needs.\n\nDesign & Documentation\n\nCreate and review hydraulic schematics, 3D CAD models, 2D drawings, system layouts, and technical specifications.\nLead integration of valves, manifolds, sensors, actuators, and control components.\nMaintain accurate engineering documentation within PDM and ERP systems.\nLead or support engineering change processes and development of design standards and best practices.\n\nMachine & Field Support\n\nLead troubleshooting of complex customer machine issues, field failures, prototype concerns, and production problems.\nPerform system-level root-cause analysis using hydraulic measurements, data acquisition, schematics, and machine observations.\nDevelop and validate corrective actions and design improvements.\nSupport customer site visits, commissioning, field testing, and troubleshooting as required.\n\nTechnical Leadership & Collaboration\n\nProvide technical guidance and mentoring to engineers and technicians.\nLead technical reviews and serve as an escalation point for complex engineering issues.\nShare lessons learned, engineering standards, and best practices across the organization.\nWork closely with sales, quality, operations, manufacturing, purchasing, and customers to align technical and business objectives.\nEngage directly with customers to clarify requirements, provide technical support, and ensure product performance meets expectations.\n\nOther Duties\n\nMaintain compliance with JEM policies, ISO, OSHA, and AWAIR standards.\nUphold JEM’s mission, vision, and core values in all interactions.\nPerform additional duties as assigned to support business and engineering needs.\n\nAn individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.\n\nCOMPETENCIES:\n\nTechnical Expertise\nDemonstrates advanced knowledge of hydraulic, electro-hydraulic, mechanical, and control systems. Applies engineering theory effectively to product development, testing, troubleshooting, and customer applications.\n\nTechnical Leadership\nProvides direction and guidance through expertise, sound judgment, mentoring, and influence.\n\nSystems Thinking\nUnderstands the interactions between mechanical, electrical, and control systems. Anticipates how design choices affect manufacturability, reliability, and performance across the full product lifecycle.\n\nAdvanced Problem Solving\nUses practical, methodical approaches to identify, analyze, and resolve technical challenges. Capable of troubleshooting complex hydraulic or control systems both independently and collaboratively.\n\nCross-Functional Collaboration\nEffectively partners with applications, design, controls, production, and quality teams. Communicates clearly to align expectations, share insights, and support cross-departmental objectives.\n\nProject Execution and Ownership\nDrives complex technical projects from concept through completion while managing risk, priorities, and deliverables.\n\nCommunication and Professionalism\nCommunicates complex technical information clearly and professionally with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Represents JEM with integrity and a customer-focused attitude.\n\nSafety and Quality Commitment\nPrioritizes safe work practices and adherence to ISO, OSHA, and AWAIR standards. Consistently contributes to maintaining high product and process quality standards.\n\nPHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:\n\nWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, climb, or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.\nThe employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.\nSpecific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.\n\nThe mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.\n\nWORKING ENVIRONMENT:\n\nThis position is based on-site at JEM’s Orono facility to support hands-on engineering, testing, and production activities.\nWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to work near moving mechanical parts.\nThe noise level in the work environment can be loud at times.\n\nThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this position.\n\nRequirements:\nBachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Fluid Power, or related discipline.\n8+ years of experience in hydraulic system design, application engineering, new product development, fluid power testing, or electro-hydraulic integration.\nDemonstrated experience leading complex technical projects from concept through production.\nAdvanced knowledge of hydraulic systems, components, machine-level integration, and troubleshooting.\nStrong proficiency in hydraulic schematic development, engineering calculations, 3D modeling, and 2D drafting.\nExperience with test equipment setup, data acquisition, and troubleshooting.\nKnowledge of ECO processes, PDM/ERP systems, and NPD workflows.\nExposure to PLC/HMI systems or mobile controls (CODESYS or C++ experience a plus).\nCAD/Solid modeling skills required. SolidWorks and SolidWorks Electrical expertise preferred.\nAdvanced computer skills required.\nValid driver’s license, ability to drive independently, and maintain a safe driving record.\nMinimum travel up to 20%","datePosted":"2026-09-16T10:35:21.820Z","dateModified":"2026-09-16T10:35:21.820Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Jemtechnical","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Orono","addressRegion":"MN","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"500b496da71f16fcd146c5ef"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/500b496da71f16fcd146c5ef"}}