Mechanical Design Engineer

Solar Turbines•San Diego, CA

1d•$89,210 - $133,810•Onsite

About The Position

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc. When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it. Solar Turbines is looking for a mechanical design engineer to join our energized and cross-functional Mechanical Design team responsible for gas turbines that power energy solutions to our customers. The candidate will work closely with various engineering disciplines to design, develop, and implement new component designs and/or improve existing gas turbine hardware for the continuous improvement of product durability and capabilities for our customers. This role will produce leading edge solutions for a diverse range of projects executed in a productive environment that values strong work culture, best-in-class and diversity. The successful candidate is expected to be a technical generalist able to develop solutions to complex problems using mechanical analysis of rotating and static turbine hardware in addition to being ingenious, creative and applying new concepts. A strong background in gas turbine design fundamentals and secondary cooling flow systems is highly beneficial for this role. The successful candidate will have the skills necessary to successfully define, lead and execute projects starting from root cause analysis, solution concept through validation, and finally product implementation. Additionally, the successful candidate will play an integral role in ensuring that solutions fulfill performance, manufacturing, durability, maintainability, and cost targets. The successful candidate will perform detailed mechanical design work, and manage workscope and execution to align with time sensitive deliverables performed under DevOps planning. When required, the successful candidate will execute component rig or engine tests by managing required hardware, instrumentation, scheduling, resultant data analysis and post-test hardware inspections. Strong written, oral and presentation communication skills are required. Additionally, the successful candidate will support business operations when necessary with support to customer services, manufacturing, and supply chain. Solar Turbines Incorporated, headquartered in San Diego, California, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. Solar manufactures the world’s most widely used family of mid-sized industrial gas turbines, ranging from 1 to 39 megawatts. More than 16,000 Solar units are operating in more than 100 countries with more than 3 billion operating hours. Solar is a leading provider of energy solutions, featuring an extensive line of gas turbine-powered compressor sets, mechanical drive packages, and generator sets. Solar’s customers put the company’s products to work in many areas, including production, processing and pipeline transmission of natural gas and crude oil, and generation of electricity and thermal energy for processing applications, such as manufacturing chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food products. Solar’s foundation is people and Solar’s culture is one where individual contributions are valued, diversity in the workplace is encouraged, and safety is emphasized in all aspects of the business. Solar Turbines is comprised of a dedicated and multi-talented workforce of more than 9,000 employees with decades of experience working as a global team.

Requirements

Directly applicable Mechanical Design work experience
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related degree
Experience with concept and detail design principles
Gas turbine design and analysis experience
Experience using Finite Element Analysis (ANSYS) software to perform detailed modal and structural analysis
Experience with reviewing and checking engineering drawings
Strong written, oral and presentation communication skills

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering
Proficiencies for the following skills and tools: Geometric dimensional and tolerance specifications (ASME Y14.5-2009)
Creo (or related CAD system)
Design experience with compressor and/or combustion section
Practical manufacturing and producibility knowledge including welding and brazing
ANSYS Experience in the design and/or analysis of gas turbine components, gas turbine operation and application, materials and processes, manufacturing methods and test procedures
Experience with detailed cross-section stack-ups
Experience with life prediction methods
Experience with turbine blade heat transfer essentials
Windchill, Microsoft Office and technical writing
A strong background in gas turbine design fundamentals and secondary cooling flow systems is highly beneficial for this role.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and implement new component designs and/or improve existing gas turbine hardware for the continuous improvement of product durability and capabilities.
Produce leading edge solutions for a diverse range of projects.
Define, lead and execute projects starting from root cause analysis, solution concept through validation, and finally product implementation.
Ensure that solutions fulfill performance, manufacturing, durability, maintainability, and cost targets.
Perform detailed mechanical design work, and manage workscope and execution to align with time sensitive deliverables performed under DevOps planning.
Execute component rig or engine tests by managing required hardware, instrumentation, scheduling, resultant data analysis and post-test hardware inspections.
Support business operations when necessary with support to customer services, manufacturing, and supply chain.