Fluid Power (Hydraulics & Pneumatics)
Fluid power (hydraulics & pneumatics) systems are critical enablers of industrial motion, force, and automation across the U.S. industrial landscape. From heavy manufacturing and metals processing to energy, material handling, and specialty process industries, these technologies provide precise control, high force density, and reliable operation in demanding environments. Pneumatic systems dominate applications requiring clean, lightweight, and fast-acting actuation, while hydraulics power heavy-duty operations such as presses, lifts, and mobile equipment.
At Industrial Recruitment Group (IRG), we cover the full fluid power ecosystem, working with OEMs, distributors, service providers, system integrators, and end users. Our network spans the full lifecycle — design, manufacturing, distribution, service, maintenance, and operation — ensuring our clients have access to the best talent in the market.
Industries Relying on Fluid Power (Hydraulics & Pneumatics)
- Heavy Manufacturing & Metals: Presses, stamping, extrusion, and forming machinery
- Oil, Gas & Petrochemical: Drilling rigs, material handling, valve actuators, and process control
- Material Handling & Conveying: Cranes, lifts, hoists, and automated conveyors
- Construction & Mobile Equipment: Excavators, loaders, forklifts, and specialized mobile machinery
- Energy & Utilities: Turbines, hydroelectric systems, and renewable energy actuator systems
- Process & Automation Facilities: Cleanroom, packaging, and process line actuation
Equipment & Systems We Cover Include:
- Hydraulic Systems & Components: Pumps, motors, valves, cylinders, accumulators, filtration, and power units
- Pneumatic Systems & Equipment: Air compressors, actuators, valves, air preparation units, and control systems
- Fluid Power Motion Control: Proportional, servo, and directional control valves, pressure and flow regulation
- Electro-Hydraulic & Electro-Pneumatic Systems: Integration with PLCs, motion control, automation, and IoT-enabled diagnostics
- Mobile & Industrial Applications: Construction, mining, agricultural, manufacturing, and material handling machinery
- System Maintenance & Retrofits: Preventive, predictive, and reactive maintenance, component replacement, and system optimization
Roles We Recruit
Engineering & Design:
- Hydraulic Engineers
- Pneumatics Engineers
- Mechanical Engineers – Fluid Power
- Design Engineers – Hydraulic & Pneumatic Systems
- Systems Integration Engineers
Projects & Commissioning:
- Project Managers – Fluid Power
- Commissioning Engineers – Hydraulics & Pneumatics
- Field Engineers – Hydraulic & Pneumatic Systems
- Start-up Technicians
- Systems Integrators
Operations & Maintenance:
- Hydraulic Technicians
- Pneumatics Technicians
- Maintenance Supervisors – Fluid Power Systems
- Field Service Technicians – Hydraulics & Pneumatics
- Reliability Engineers – Fluid Systems
Commercial & Sales:
- Technical Sales Engineers – Fluid Power
- Product/Application Specialists – Hydraulic & Pneumatic Equipment
- Account Managers – Industrial Systems
- Solution Engineers – Fluid Power
Health, Safety & Quality:
- HSE Advisors – Fluid Power Systems
- Quality Engineers – Hydraulics & Pneumatics
- Compliance Officers – Industrial Fluid Systems
- Testing & Calibration Specialists
Leadership & Executive:
- Engineering Managers – Hydraulics & Pneumatics
- Project Directors – Fluid Power Systems
- Operations Managers – Hydraulic/Pneumatic Equipment
- Plant Managers with Fluid Power Oversight
Health, Safety & Compliance
Recruitment in fluid power (hydraulics & pneumatics) requires familiarity with U.S. industry standards, safety protocols, and best practices, including:
- NFPA & ISO Standards: Fluid power systems, component testing, and safety requirements
- OSHA: Workplace safety, pressurized systems, and mobile equipment operation
- ANSI / ASME: Hydraulic and pneumatic component and pressure vessel design
- Environmental Compliance: For hydraulic fluids and pneumatic systems
Key Employers & Industry Leaders
- Hydraulic & Pneumatic OEMs: System manufacturers, component producers, actuator and valve specialists
- Distributors & Supply Chain Partners: Regional and national suppliers, technical stocking distributors
- Service & Retrofit Companies: Preventive maintenance, repair, commissioning, and field service
- Industrial & Mobile Equipment End Users: Manufacturing plants, construction, energy, and material handling operators
- System Integrators: Automation and control companies integrating hydraulic and pneumatic systems
Future Trends & Industry Outlook
The U.S. hydraulics and pneumatics sector is evolving with a focus on efficiency, reliability, automation, and digitalization:
- Energy Efficiency & Electrification: Low-loss hydraulics, variable displacement pumps, and energy-saving pneumatic solutions
- Automation & Smart Systems: IoT sensors, predictive maintenance, remote monitoring, and electro-hydraulic control integration
- Sustainability & Environmental Compliance: Reduced fluid leaks, biodegradable hydraulic fluids, and clean pneumatic technologies
- Advanced Materials & Component Innovation: High-strength alloys, additive-manufactured components, and precision seals
- Workforce Demand: Skilled engineers, technicians, service specialists, and sales professionals with applied hydraulics and pneumatics experience
Skills & Competencies
Professionals in fluid power require expertise in design, operation, maintenance, and integration of hydraulics & pneumatics systems, including:
- System design, sizing, and troubleshooting
- Component selection and maintenance for pumps, motors, valves, actuators, and cylinders
- Electro-hydraulic and electro-pneumatic integration with PLCs and automation systems
- Preventive, predictive, and reactive maintenance strategies
- Energy efficiency optimization and leak reduction
- System commissioning, retrofits, and lifecycle management
- Commercial and technical sales for fluid power solutions
- Project management for industrial and mobile equipment installations
Why Industrial Recruitment Group?
We understand fluid power (hydraulics & pneumatics) at a technical, operational, and commercial level. From design and manufacturing to distribution, aftermarket service, and integration, we know the full ecosystem and the skills required to keep systems running efficiently and reliably. This expertise allows us to identify and deliver professionals who meet the exact technical, operational, and commercial requirements of our clients, ensuring high-quality placements across the U.S. fluid power sector.