Hydraulic Specialty - Fluid Power Application Specialist

Description

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We are a Minnesota-based, family-owned business with an opening for a Fluid Power Application Specialist at our Blaine location. We are looking for someone with strong hydraulic and pneumatic knowledge, hands-on troubleshooting experience, and a passion for solving complex problems. This position will support technicians, assist with customer applications, and work closely with our sales team to develop technical solutions.

The Fluid Power Application Specialist is Hydraulic Specialty's technical resource for hydraulic systems. This person helps technicians diagnose and repair difficult systems, answers fluid power questions from across the Blaine Brothers Family of Companies and works with outside sales on customer applications and solutions. The role is open to early-career candidates with a fluid power education and to experienced specialists. Responsibilities and independence grow with experience.

• Answer fluid power questions from Blaine Brothers and North American Trailer, such as, truck and trailer hydraulics, wet kits, PTO systems, and yard truck hydraulics.
• Join outside sales on customer calls and site visits to gather application and operating requirements.
• Support HSI technicians in diagnosing hydraulic problems on pumps, motors, valves, cylinders, and complete systems.
• Read and interpret hydraulic schematics and troubleshoot using pressure, flow, and temperature to find root causes.
• Help develop and maintain test procedures and test-bench standards for pumps, valves, and cylinders.
• Review returns, warranty claims, and repeat failures, then document findings.
• Help purchasing / parts manger with part selection, cross-references, and stocking alternates.
• Support installation, start-up, and post-sale troubleshooting of fluid power applications or systems.
• Work with vendors and manufacturer application engineers on component selection and pricing.
• Build and maintain a shared library of schematics, specifications, and repair procedures.
• Help train technicians and share lessons learned (expected at Specialist II and Senior levels).
• Follow all company safety policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Associate degree in Fluid Power Technology, Mechanical or Electromechanical Technology, or a related field; OR 2+ years of hands‑on hydraulic experience (repair, field service, design, or technical sales).
• Preferred: IFPS certification (Fluid Power Specialist, Hydraulic Specialist, or Mobile or Industrial Hydraulic Mechanic).
• Working knowledge of hydraulic principles: pressure, flow, pumps, motors, valves, actuators, reservoirs, filtration, and cooling.
• Ability to read hydraulic schematics.
• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record for travel to customer sites.
• Preferred: experience with mobile equipment (trucks, trailers, forklifts, loaders) or industrial hydraulic systems.
• Senior level: 8+ years in fluid power design, application engineering, or technical sales, with a record of designing and quoting complete systems.

• Structured, hands‑on troubleshooting of hydraulic and mechanical systems.
• Use of hydraulic test equipment: gauges, flow meters, and test benches.
• Clear written and verbal communication with technicians, sales staff, and customers.
• Basic math and fluid power calculations (flow, pressure, force, horsepower).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; ability to learn ERP, CRM, and quoting software.
• Organization and…