What is a Hydraulic Engineer?

Hydraulic engineers are a key part of the UK manufacturing industry, specialising in the design, maintenance, and repair of hydraulic systems. These systems use pressurised fluid to power machinery and equipment, and are essential in everything from heavy presses to automated production lines.

A hydraulic engineer is someone who understands the mechanics of pumps, valves, actuators, accumulators, hoses and fluid circuits, and can apply that knowledge to keep manufacturing moving. The role is broad, ranging from fault-finding and maintenance to designing more efficient or sustainable systems for the future.

Hydraulic engineers need to be confident with both hands-on work and technical problem solving. Their priority is to ensure systems perform reliably, safely, and efficiently — minimising downtime and supporting productivity.

There are many jobs involved in manufacturing engineering, and hydraulic engineers often collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and design teams to deliver a project. The nature of the job can vary depending on the industry and scale of operation.

Hydraulic Engineer Skills

Technical Knowledge

Hydraulic engineers need a strong understanding of fluid power systems — including pumps, valves, cylinders, hoses, manifolds and control units. This knowledge helps them diagnose faults quickly, carry out preventative maintenance, and ensure machinery is running smoothly.

System Design and Interpretation

Engineers often work with hydraulic circuit diagrams, which are technical drawings showing how fluid power flows through a system. Being able to read, interpret, and even create these diagrams is a core part of the job. This ensures engineers can understand existing systems and make informed decisions when building or upgrading new ones.

Mechanical and Trade Skills

Hands-on trade skills are often required. This includes installing or replacing components, cutting and crimping hoses, aligning shafts, setting relief pressures and conducting pressure/flow tests. Being confident in these tasks means engineers can adapt quickly to different on-site challenges.

Problem Solving

A major part of the role involves identifying and fixing problems under pressure. Whether it’s a leaking seal, loss of pressure, overheating fluid or a complete system failure, engineers must quickly find the issue and restore performance with minimal downtime.

Communication and Teamwork

Hydraulic engineers rarely work in isolation. They collaborate with production teams, maintenance staff, OEMs and other engineers to keep systems running effectively. Strong communication skills are essential, especially when explaining technical issues to non-specialists.

Efficiency and Safety

Hydraulic systems can be dangerous if not maintained properly. Engineers must follow strict health and safety procedures (e.g., safe isolation, cleanliness, correct torquing, pressure testing), while also working efficiently to reduce downtime and improve productivity. Employers value engineers who can balance speed with accuracy and compliance.

The Projects Hydraulic Engineers Work On

Hydraulic engineers in UK manufacturing often contribute to:

• Large-scale press lines and injection moulding machines

• Power units, manifolds and distribution systems

• Test rigs and end-of-line equipment

• Material handling, conveyors and lift systems

• Robotics and automation with electro-hydraulic control (proportional/servo valves)

• Retrofitting older equipment with smarter, more energy-efficient hydraulic solutions

Every project demands adaptability — no two systems are exactly the same.

How to Get Into Hydraulic Engineering (Step-by-Step)

There are several routes in. Here’s a clear plan you can follow from zero to employable in UK manufacturing:

1. Build the foundations (0–3 months)

   • Refresh maths/physics basics (pressure, flow, force, energy, heat).

   • Learn core components: pumps, valves, cylinders, accumulators, filters, reservoirs.

   • Get familiar with common symbols and hydraulic schematics (ISO 1219/ISO 4413).

2. Choose your entry route (3–12 months)

   • Apprenticeship (recommended): Maintenance & Operations Engineering Technician (MOET) or Engineering Fitter via a local college/employer.

   • College route: Level 3 Diploma/BTEC in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering; then HNC/HND in Mechanical Engineering (add a fluid power module where possible).

   • Graduate route: BEng/MEng Mechanical/Mechatronics with modules in fluid mechanics, control and design.

3. Get hands-on experience (ongoing)

   • Secure a trainee/technician role in maintenance, fitting, or assembly on hydraulic equipment (presses, moulding machines, mobile plant).

   • Shadow an experienced hydraulic engineer on fault-finding, hose assembly, contamination control and pressure testing.

4. Add specialist credentials (6–18 months)

   • Take BFPA/CETOP accredited training (e.g., Foundation, Hose Assembly Skills, Hydraulic Maintenance, contamination control).

   • Learn basic CAD (2D/3D) to read/update drawings and create simple layouts.

   • Gain safety awareness for hydraulic work: Pressure testing practices; UK regs context such as PSSR, PUWER and LOLER where relevant to site processes.

5. Develop diagnostic confidence (12–24 months)

   • Practice systematic fault-finding: read schematics, measure pressure/flow/temperature, isolate components, verify fixes.

   • Keep a logbook of problems found, corrective actions and outcomes (great for interviews and professional registration).

6. Showcase your capability (ongoing)

   • Build a small portfolio: photos of builds/repairs, before/after data (cycle time, efficiency, MTBF), brief write-ups.

   • Update your CV with specific equipment, fluid types, cleanliness standards, and control hardware you’ve worked with.

7. Work with a specialist recruiter

   • Register with a recruiter who regularly places hydraulic talent in your region. You’ll see more roles and get guidance on which environments fit your skills.

What Companies Look For

From the employer’s perspective, the best hydraulic engineers bring:

• Reliability under pressure and clear, methodical fault-finding

• A mindset for continuous improvement and energy efficiency

• Ownership of cleanliness and contamination control

• Ability to minimise downtime and protect productivity

• Strong documentation: service reports, settings, parts lists, and updates to schematics

• A safety-first approach aligned to site policies and UK regulations

Given the skills shortage, companies also value engineers who can mentor others and help build internal capability.

What Engineers Look For

Hydraulic engineers, in turn, look for more than just a job. They value:

• Variety of work — exposure to different systems and industries

• Progression — pathways into senior, design, applications or project roles

• Training — support for BFPA/CETOP, OEM courses (e.g., Bosch Rexroth, Parker, Eaton, HYDAC), CAD and controls

• Modern kit — well-maintained equipment, proper tooling and test gear

• Respect for the niche — a culture that understands the complexity and criticality of hydraulics

How to Develop Your Career in Hydraulic Engineering (Be Specific)

Use this simple ladder to keep moving forward:

Year 0–2: Technician/Foundation

• Master safe isolation, cleanliness and hose assembly.

• Get BFPA Hose Assembly Skills + a foundation hydraulics course.

• Learn to read schematics confidently and take accurate measurements (pressure/flow/temp).

• Target: Independently complete routine maintenance and simple repairs.

Year 2–4: Engineer/Field Service

• Own full fault-finding workflows and root cause analysis.

• Add electro-hydraulics: proportional/servo valves, basic PLC/HMI interfacing.

• Complete CETOP/BFPA Level 1–2, and at least one OEM course.

• Target: Reduce repeat faults; demonstrate uptime/efficiency improvements.

Year 4–6: Senior/Design/Application

• Lead upgrades and retrofit projects (energy saving, heat reduction, cycle time gains).

• Use CAD to modify layouts/manifolds; specify components with suppliers.

• Introduce condition monitoring (particle counts, sensors, thermal trends) and predictive maintenance.

• Target: Deliver signed-off projects with measurable ROI and updated documentation.

Year 6+: Lead/Project/Manager

• Own CAPEX justifications, supplier selection and standards (e.g., ISO 4413 principles).

• Mentor technicians; write SOPs and maintenance strategies.

• Consider professional registration (EngTech/IEng via IMechE route).

• Target: Site-level reliability improvements and team capability growth.

Continuous add-ons (any stage):

• Short courses in contamination control, manifold design, proportional control tuning.

• Safety qualifications (IOSH/NEBOSH awareness level) to strengthen leadership credibility.

• Cross-training in robotics/automation to broaden opportunities.

• Keep a project portfolio with data: downtime reduced, energy saved, throughput improved.

Salary Benchmarks

1. Entry-Level (0–2 years)

• Typical Salary Range: £26,000 – £35,000

• Average Salary: £30,000

• Role Characteristics:

  • Focus on learning and supporting senior engineers.

  • Tasks include basic maintenance, component replacement, and assisting in system diagnostics.

  • Often involves shadowing experienced engineers and gaining hands-on experience.

2. Mid-Level (2–5 years)

• Typical Salary Range: £35,000 – £45,000

• Average Salary: £40,000

• Role Characteristics:

  • Increased responsibility in system diagnostics and minor design modifications.

  • Involvement in routine maintenance schedules and troubleshooting.

  • Greater independence in handling hydraulic systems and components.

3. Senior-Level (5–10 years)

• Typical Salary Range: £45,000 – £60,000

• Average Salary: £52,000

• Role Characteristics:

  • Lead projects and oversee hydraulic system installations and upgrades.

  • Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance.

  • Engage in complex problem-solving and system optimization tasks.

4. Expert-Level (10+ years)

• Typical Salary Range: £60,000 – £80,000+

• Average Salary: £70,000

• Role Characteristics:

  • Expertise in specific hydraulic systems or industries.

  • Involvement in high-level design, consultancy, and strategic planning.

  • Often takes on roles such as project manager or technical director.

Hydraulic Engineer Tips

Here at BMR Solutions, we’ve placed hydraulic engineers with top employers across the UK and seen first-hand what helps them succeed:

• Gain varied experience: Different sites expose you to different systems and problems — it accelerates learning.

• Invest in training: BFPA/CETOP and OEM courses build confidence and open doors.

• Keep learning: Electro-hydraulics, controls and energy efficiency are strong differentiators.

• Show reliability: Build a track record of safe, tidy, right-first-time work backed by clear reports.

Hydraulic Engineering and BMR Solutions

We help match skilled hydraulic engineers with leading UK manufacturing businesses.

If you’re looking for the very best hydraulic opportunities, submit your CV with us or browse our current vacancies. We regularly have roles for hydraulic specialists, as well as other engineering and maintenance positions. Be sure to sign up so you don’t miss the latest opportunities.

If you’d like to learn more about how we can support your career, get in touch with our team today.