Job summary

The engineer will collaborate with customers, suppliers, and design teams while adhering to engineering processes. Strong knowledge of hydraulic systems, communication skills, and leadership abilities are required.

Key skills required for this role

Hydraulics, planetary automatic transmission,

Important

Designing complex hydraulic systems, supporting testing and analysis, developing and validating components, and resolving issues

Job description

Purpose:
Complex hydraulic systems are becoming an everyday part of our project portfolio. This role is targeted at taking a strong but somewhat dispersed team of engineers with hydraulic engineering skills, together with some additional recruits, to build and lead a centre of competency for Ricardo.

Typical project applications range from dual clutch or automatic transmission control systems to large complex off highway power hydraulic systems. Typical recent/current example projects with complex hydraulic system requirements include:

• Multi speed EDU hydraulic systems
• Multi speed Commercial vehicle transmission
• Hydraulics system for Dedicated Hybrid Transmissions
• Planetary Automatic Transmission for Heavy Duty applications[WS2]

The responsibilities of the hydraulic role include carrying out the following tasks relating to hydraulic system engineering, according to a managed product development process and including engineering approval:

Key activities:

• Concept to Detail design of hydraulic systems and components
• Defining and supporting testing of hydraulic components and sub-assemblies
• Simulation & detailed analysis of hydraulics systems and component design features
• Development and validation of hydraulics systems and components
• Problem investigation and resolution
• Interaction with external customers, suppliers
• Collaboration and providing technical guidance to design teams to integrate and implement hydraulics systems and components into transmission designs
• Develop internal guidelines and practices related to hydraulics technical domain
• From a very significant breadth and depth of knowledge of hydraulic systems engineering, the successful candidate will need to exude confidence and enthusiasm in this field; whilst also being able to apply a systems engineering approach, maintain structured issue resolution practices such as 8D, including dealing with the interfaces to the product mechanical and electronic control systems.
• Some overseas / UK travel is necessary.

Key accountabilities:

• Highly capable of understanding, specifying, designing complex hydraulic systems from a basis of first principle knowledge/competency
• Deep knowledge/contact with the supply base for automotive, mobile and industrial hydraulic components would be beneficial
• Understanding of the operating system and control/power hydraulic system requirements for both on and off highway vehicles (minimum specialism in one and confidence with the other)
• Ability to manage the development and validation of hydraulic components in both the field and laboratory
• Able to lead/manage delivery of the hydraulic system element of projects through their lifecycle, including issue identification and resolution according to a structured process
• Understanding of the principles of electronic control systems which interface with the hydraulic systems and willingness to cross the boundaries to resolve issues
• Understanding and experience of systems engineering processes would be an advantage
• Strong communication and team leadership skills together with a leadership style that attracts and retains engineering talent.
• Experience of hydraulic system 1D simulation packages such as amesim would be an advantage