Industrial Hydraulic Field Service Technician
Location: West Coast
Oilgear is seeking an Industrial Hydraulic Field Service Technician to join our team. This position focuses on field-based troubleshooting, repair, rebuild, and support of hydraulic pumps and valves in heavy industrial equipment, with a strong emphasis on presses, forging, extrusion, and steel mill machinery.
Key Responsibilities
- Travel to customer sites to provide service for hydraulic and electrical equipment (domestic travel up to 75%).
- Diagnose problems with customer equipment and work with internal teams to provide timely and effective solutions.
- Operate computer-based diagnostic equipment for hydraulic and electronic systems.
- Prepare and maintain service reports, documentation, and required paperwork.
- Troubleshoot complex hydraulic systems including variable servo-controlled pumps, fixed displacement pumps, proportional valves, directional valves, and solenoid valves.
- Read, interpret, and troubleshoot from hydraulic schematics to efficiently repair equipment.
- Communicate with customers to ensure proper product use and provide technical guidance.
- Conduct or participate in customer training sessions.
- Review customer installations to identify opportunities for system upgrades and improvements.
- Provide feedback to engineering teams regarding technical issues in the field.
- Support Oilgear facilities and shops as needed in addition to customer site visits.
Required Industry Backgrounds
Candidates must have relevant hands-on experience in at least one of the following industries:
- Forging (open or closed die)
- Aluminum extrusion
- Forming and stamping presses
- Steel mills or other heavy metal forming plants
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum 5+ years of mechanical/electrical experience.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office.
- Strong background in hydraulically operated machinery: service, analysis, troubleshooting.
- Ability to troubleshoot complex hydraulic systems (pumps, valves, circuits).
- Ability to read and interpret hydraulic schematics and basic electrical drawings.
- Strong communication skills to work with customers and internal teams.
- Effective listening skills with the ability to act as the “Voice of the Customer.”
- Valid driver’s license.
- Ability to travel up to 75% domestically.
- Successful completion of background check, drug screening, and driving record check.
Preferred Qualifications
- Education in fluid power technology or a related technical field.
- Experience with variable servo-controlled pumps, fixed displacement pumps, proportional valves, and solenoid valves.
- Familiarity with forging, aluminum extrusion, forming or stamping presses.
- Experience with Rockwell software including RSLogix500, RSLogix5, RSLogix5000, Studio 5000, FactoryTalk ME & SE.
- Experience with Rockwell PLCs including SLC500 and PLC5, and converting legacy systems to modern platforms.
- IFPS Fluid Power Certification is a plus.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
- Work performed in shop and field environments, which may be non-air-conditioned and exposed to noise, dust, fumes, and odors.
- Ability to work in harsh environments including rain, snow, heat, and at heights.
- Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
- Frequent bending, stooping, sitting, standing, walking, and climbing ladders, stairs, or man lifts over 10 feet.
Training Requirements
- General safety training.
- Customer-specific safety training.
- ISO 9001 and applicable procedures.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Safety glasses.
- Steel-toe or composite-toe shoes.
- Gloves, aprons, shields, and goggles as required for specific tasks.
- Hard hats (mandatory in forge or steel forming environments).
- Safety vests.
- Ear protection.
- Long-sleeve clothing.
- Cut-resistant gloves.
Why Join Oilgear
As a global leader in high-performance hydraulic solutions, Oilgear offers a collaborative environment where innovation, reliability, and continuous improvement drive success. Employees are empowered to take ownership of their work while receiving strong support for professional development, safety, and long-term career growth.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Are you willing to undergo a background check, drug test, and motor vehicle record (MVR) check, in accordance with local laws and regulations?
- Explain how pressure is created in a hydraulic system using a variable displacement (pressure-compensated) pump. How does this differ from a fixed displacement pump?
- What is your desired base annual salary? (You can provide a range if you wish.)
- Do you have at least 5 years of hands-on experience with variable displacement (pressure-compensated) or fixed displacement hydraulic pumps used in forging, extrusion, stamping, or steel mill press applications? (If yes, please list the pump types or brands you’ve worked with and describe how they were applied in press systems.)
- Do you have at least 5 years of hands-on experience working with proportional, solenoid, or directional control valves on hydraulic systems used in forging, extrusion, stamping, or steel mill press applications? (If yes, please specify the valve types, the press equipment they were used on, and your role in installation, troubleshooting, or repair.)
- Have you worked directly in forging, aluminum extrusion, stamping presses, or steel mills with hydraulic pumps and valves? (If yes, please describe the industry, type of press equipment, and your specific responsibilities.)
- Do you have experience working with Rockwell Automation platforms such as RSLogix500, RSLogix5000, Studio 5000, or FactoryTalk ME/SE? (If yes, please specify which platforms you’ve used and in what context — particularly related to forging, extrusion, or stamping press systems.)
- Are you a Certified Fluid Power Specialist (CFPS)?
- Are you able to read and troubleshoot hydraulic schematics to diagnose pump and valve issues on high-pressure press systems (3,000–7,000 PSI)? (If yes, please describe an example of when you used schematics to diagnose and resolve a system issue.)
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: Remote
