Hydraulic Design Engineer

DHX is the hydraulic engineering arm of Kinetic Solutions Group, delivering high-performance fluid power systems across critical sectors including Renewable Energy, Defence, and Infrastructure. Known for robust manufacturing, advanced technical capabilities, and precision engineering, DHX supports high-integrity, mission-critical applications worldwide.

As the business continues to expand, DHX is recruiting an experienced Senior Hydraulic Design Engineer to strengthen our growing technical team. This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive and driven individual to work on challenging, bespoke hydraulic systems and develop their expertise within a forward-thinking engineering environment.

Purpose of the Role

The Hydraulic Design Engineer will be responsible for the end-to-end design and development of hydraulic systems including power units, cylinders, manifolds, and specialised valve solutions. Reporting to the Lead Engineer, the role will lead on technical delivery for projects, support junior engineers, and collaborate with both internal teams and external clients to ensure design excellence from concept to manufacture.

Key Responsibilities

Hydraulic System Design

• Lead the design and development of bespoke hydraulic systems including power packs, actuators, control manifolds, and valves.
• Interpret project requirements, technical specifications, and functional needs to produce effective, robust design solutions.
• Generate hydraulic circuit diagrams and carry out supporting calculations for flow, pressure, heat dissipation, and component selection.
• Produce detailed design documentation including 2D and 3D CAD models, assembly drawings, and bills of materials.

Engineering Delivery

• Oversee the full design lifecycle from concept development through to manufacture and test.
• Ensure all designs comply with relevant industry standards and customer specifications.
• Liaise with fabrication and machining teams to ensure manufacturability and cost-effectiveness.
• Conduct design reviews and support continuous improvement of design processes and tools.

Technical Leadership & Mentorship

• Provide technical guidance and support to junior engineers and designers within the team.
• Review peer designs and mentor others in best practices for hydraulic system design and documentation.
• Act as a technical point of contact for clients and internal stakeholders during project execution.

Collaboration & Communication

• Work closely with manufacturing, procurement, quality, and project management teams to align engineering outputs with delivery goals.
• Communicate effectively with customers to clarify requirements, present solutions, and resolve technical queries.
• Contribute to internal and external technical meetings, design reviews, and project status updates.

Continuous Improvement & Development

• Stay informed of developments in hydraulic technology and apply innovative thinking to future solutions.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve DHX’s hydraulic design standards, documentation, and knowledge base.
• Support professional development initiatives, including routes to chartership if desired.

Skills & Experience Required

• Demonstrable experience in the design of hydraulic systems, ideally within high-performance sectors such as defence, renewables, or infrastructure.
• Strong understanding of fluid power circuits, components, and supporting calculations.
• Experience designing and detailing hydraulic power packs, cylinders, manifolds, and bespoke valve solutions.
• Familiarity with fabrication and machining processes, with the ability to design for manufacture.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD 2D and Autodesk Inventor 3D (or equivalent CAD platforms).
• Strong problem-solving mindset with a detail-oriented and quality-driven approach.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively across disciplines.
• Organised, self-motivated, and capable of managing multiple priorities.

Desirable Qualifications & Development

• Degree or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Working towards or already holding Chartered Engineer status (CEng).
• Experience in hydraulic testing, commissioning, or supporting FAT/SAT processes.

Location: Heckmondwike

Travel: Required to customer sites across the UK and occasionally overseas.

Job Benefits

• Competitive Salary: A competitive salary aligned with your skills, experience, and the value you bring to the business.
• Professional Development: Ongoing training, development, and support for professional qualifications, including opportunities for career progression.
• Annual Leave: Enjoy 25 days of holiday per year, plus 8 statutory bank holidays.
• Holiday Purchase Scheme: Buy up to 5 additional days of holiday each year to suit your personal needs.
• Pension Scheme: Employer pension contributions to help secure your financial future.
• BUPA Health Scheme: Access private healthcare through our comprehensive BUPA Health Scheme.
• Paycare Cash Plan (Level 2): Get money back on everyday healthcare costs with our Level 2 Paycare Cash Plan.