Hydraulic actuator as an element of a system for controlling an engine valve is presented. The actuator includes a fluidic actuation chamber, defined by an actuation piston that increases chamber volume as the actuation piston is urged away from a neutral. Chamber includes a high pressure fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A fluidic actuator control chamber, defined by a control piston connected to the actuation piston that increases chamber volume as the actuation piston is urged away from neutral. A control fluid outlet is connected to a fluid control spool valve. The fluid outlet of the actuation chamber is fluidly connected to an inlet of the control valve. There is a valve actuation plunger operably connected to the actuation piston, and a drain outlet to maintain a fluidic backpressure to the actuator control chamber.