Cooling, Systems Integration & Hydraulics Engineer - Defence

ARi
ARi

Peoria, IL, USA

Posted on Jul 30, 2026

Job Description

ARi, headquartered in East Peoria, IL, USA, is a rapidly expanding global engineering enterprise. The essence of our “i” symbolizes our distinctiveness from competitors – an embodiment of innovation, intelligence, ingenuity, and insight. Boasting a diverse team of over 1,500 engineering experts hailing from various nations and cultures across the globe, we are excellently poised to provide intricate and personalized resolutions to our esteemed clients.

Duties / Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and integrate cooling, hydraulic, and auxiliary systems for defense powertrain applications.
  • Develop thermal management solutions, including radiators, charge air coolers, oil coolers, coolant routing, fans, pumps, heat exchangers, and associated components.
  • Design and integrate hydraulic systems, including pumps, valves, actuators, reservoirs, filters, hoses, tubing, and hydraulic control circuits.
  • Coordinate system-level integration of engine, transmission, cooling, hydraulic, and auxiliary subsystems to ensure optimal vehicle performance and reliability.
  • Perform system packaging studies, interface analysis, and installation reviews to optimize space utilization, manufacturability, serviceability, and maintainability.
  • Create and maintain 3D CAD models, assemblies, engineering drawings, and Bills of Materials (BOMs) using Creo or equivalent CAD software.
  • Support prototype builds, vehicle integration, laboratory testing, validation, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis throughout the product development lifecycle.
  • Participate in design reviews, Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), and configuration management activities.
  • Collaborate with systems engineering, manufacturing, validation, purchasing, suppliers, and program management teams to ensure successful product development and integration.
  • Ensure designs comply with Caterpillar engineering standards, military requirements, and applicable industry regulations.
  • Drive continuous product improvements by resolving design issues and implementing corrective actions.

Required Skills

  • Strong experience in cooling system, hydraulic system, and vehicle subsystem integration.
  • Knowledge of thermal management systems, including radiators, charge air coolers, oil coolers, coolant routing, fans, pumps, and heat exchangers.
  • Experience designing hydraulic systems, including pumps, valves, actuators, reservoirs, filters, hydraulic hoses, tubing, and control circuits.
  • Proficiency with 3D CAD software such as Creo, CATIA, or Siemens NX.
  • Strong understanding of component packaging, vehicle integration, GD&T, engineering drawings, and Design for Manufacturing/Assembly (DFM/DFA).
  • Experience creating and maintaining Bills of Materials (BOMs) and engineering documentation.
  • Familiarity with Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), configuration management, and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems.
  • Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis skills.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills with cross-functional engineering teams.
  • Ability to support prototype builds, validation testing, and product development from concept through production.

Education / Experience

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
  • 3–8 years of experience in cooling systems, hydraulic systems, vehicle integration, or powertrain system design.
  • Experience using Creo, CATIA, Siemens NX, or equivalent 3D CAD software.
  • Experience supporting prototype builds, validation testing, and system performance analysis.
  • Experience with Teamcenter, Windchill, or other Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems is preferred.
  • Experience in defense, military, heavy equipment, construction, mining, agricultural, or off-highway vehicle industries is highly preferred.
  • Knowledge of engine cooling, transmission cooling, hydraulic power systems, auxiliary equipment integration, and vehicle packaging is strongly preferred.

The Benefits of Working at ARi

If you work for ARi, we ensure the benefits extend beyond the workplace. From day one, we offer our full-time employees group health, dental, and life insurance coverage. Vision coverage is available on the first of the following month.

We also understand the importance of recharging your batteries, and that is why we offer paid time off, sick days, company holidays, maternity/paternity leave, and bereavement to full-time employees. We also maintain a 401(k) program for all employees that meet specific eligibility requirements.

We hire talented people from all walks of life because we believe it strengthens our company. If you want to join a team with a diverse culture that strictly upholds and fulfills employee needs, please apply today!

See more open positions at ARi