Mechanical Test Engineer - Hydraulics at RFA Engineering in Chillicothe, IL

Job description

• RFA Engineering (www.rfamec.com) is an engineering service provider dedicated to delivering our clients with timely engineering support and expertise. We are seeking an experienced candidate to become an integral part of our engineering team. The selected candidate will work with an experienced engineering staff using state-of-the-art engineering tools & processes.
• Mechanical Test Engineer- Hydraulics
• Hydraulic Test Engineer will plan, set up, execute, and evaluate mechanical tests involving hydraulic components and systems. This role combines hands-on laboratory work with engineering analysis to determine system performance, investigate failures, and communicate clear technical conclusions. The ideal candidate is comfortable working directly with test hardware while also organizing and interpreting test data to support engineering decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead hydraulic component and system testing projects from initial planning through final conclusions and reporting.
• Develop test plans, define instrumentation and data collection needs, and coordinate laboratory resources.
• Perform hands-on setup of hydraulic components, test fixtures, hoses, sensors, and associated mechanical or electrical hardware.
• Operate test equipment safely while maintaining a strong focus on quality, throughput, and accurate documentation.
• Collect, organize, process, and analyze test data to evaluate performance and identify trends or anomalies.
• Compare test results with engineering requirements, expected behavior, and available analytical or simulation results.
• Conduct failure and root cause analysis on components or systems that do not meet performance expectations.
• Document test configurations, procedures, observations, results, and engineering conclusions in clear technical reports.
• Present findings and recommendations to engineers, laboratory leadership, shop personnel, and internal clients.
• Coordinate multiple test activities, schedules, priorities, and follow-up actions with minimal supervision.
• Support continuous improvement of laboratory methods, testing processes, and data analysis practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Technology, Agricultural Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Two or more years of relevant engineering or testing experience; candidates with a master’s degree and at least three years of relevant experience may also be considered.
• Hands-on mechanical aptitude and experience working with test hardware, components, tools, or laboratory equipment.
• Experience planning and executing mechanical component or system tests.
• Ability to analyze engineering test data and translate results into defensible conclusions and recommendations.
• Experience troubleshooting mechanical systems and performing failure or root cause analysis.
• Education
• Bachelors of Science or better in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Experience testing hydraulic components, fluid power systems, or hydraulic subsystems.
• Knowledge of hydraulic system behavior, pressure, flow, temperature, leakage, efficiency, and component performance.
• Experience with data acquisition systems, instrumentation, sensors, and signal review.
• Experience using analytical methods, statistical techniques, MATLAB, Python, Excel, or similar tools to process and visualize test data.
• Familiarity with simulation, modeling, or correlation of analytical results to physical test results.
• Experience with test fixture design, mechanical design, or CAD tools.

Skills

Required

• Hands-on mechanical aptitude
• Ability to analyze engineering test data
• Failure and root cause analysis

Benefits

• Health and Dental Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• TelaDoc: Virtual Health Care
• Vision Insurance
• Company Paid / Supplemental Life Insurance
• Company Paid Long-Term Disability
• Supplemental Short-Term Disability
• Retirement Savings Account (Traditional 401k & Roth 401k)
• Flexible Spending Plan Dependent Care
• Bonus Plan (Exempt Employees Only)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Bereavement Leave
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• Education Assistance
• Salary Range: $70,000-$85,000 – Commensurate with experience