Corporate Hydraulic Engineer remote

Kaiser Aluminum is known around the world for its superior quality. Our secret is what we put into it-innovative thinking, industry-leading reliability, and a world-class commitment to customer service. In short, the same qualities we look for in our people. We are looking for a Corporate Hydraulic Engineer to join the Kaiser Aluminum team!

The Corporate Hydraulic Engineer provides enterprise-wide technical leadership, engineering support, and strategic direction for hydraulic systems across manufacturing, industrial, mining, forestry, pulp and paper, or heavy equipment operations. This role is responsible for improving equipment reliability, optimizing hydraulic system performance, reducing lifecycle costs, leading root cause investigations, and establishing corporate standards for hydraulic design, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

The Corporate Hydraulic Engineer partners with plant operations, maintenance teams, reliability engineers, OEMs, and vendors to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operation of hydraulic equipment throughout the organization.

This position will report to the VP, Engineering & Maintenance or Director of Engineering.

This position is remote and will be located in one of the following states: Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, California or Washington.

What you will work on:

Technical Leadership

• Serve as the corporate subject matter expert (SME) for hydraulic systems and fluid power applications.
• Develop and maintain company-wide hydraulic engineering standards, specifications, and best practices.
• Provide technical guidance to facilities, operations, maintenance, and engineering teams.
• Evaluate new technologies and recommend innovative solutions to improve system performance and reliability.

Reliability & Asset Performance

• Lead efforts to improve hydraulic system reliability and availability across all company sites.
• Analyze equipment performance data, maintenance records, and failure trends.
• Develop and implement preventive, predictive, and condition-based maintenance strategies.
• Support oil analysis, contamination control, filtration, and fluid management programs.
• Establish hydraulic system health metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs).

Troubleshooting & Root Cause Analysis

• Lead complex troubleshooting efforts involving hydraulic equipment failures.
• Conduct root cause failure analyses (RCFA) and develop corrective actions.
• Provide on-site and remote support during critical equipment outages.
• Support reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) initiatives.

Engineering & Project Support

• Review and approve hydraulic system designs, modifications, and upgrades.
• Support capital projects involving hydraulic equipment installations and modernization efforts.
• Develop hydraulic schematics, equipment specifications, and design standards.
• Collaborate with project teams to ensure compliance with engineering and safety requirements.
• Participate in equipment commissioning, startup, and performance validation.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure hydraulic systems comply with applicable safety standards, regulations, and company policies.
• Support lockout/tagout (LOTO) and stored energy management programs.
• Conduct risk assessments related to hydraulic equipment and operations.
• Promote safe work practices throughout all engineering and maintenance activities.

Training & Knowledge Development

• Develop and deliver hydraulic training programs for maintenance and engineering personnel.
• Mentor plant engineers, maintenance supervisors, and technicians.
• Create technical documentation, procedures, and troubleshooting guides.
• Lead knowledge-sharing initiatives across business units.

Vendor & Contractor Management

• Evaluate and manage hydraulic equipment suppliers, consultants, and service providers.
• Review proposals, technical specifications, and contractor work scopes.
• Support supplier qualification and performance improvement initiatives.