Mechanical RCA Engineer - Machine Head

GE Vernova • Schenectady, NY

25d • $113,200 - $188,800

About The Position

The Mechanical RCA Engineer – Machine Head owns end-to-end root cause analyses (RCAs) for assigned Machine Head mechanical components and systems, including main shaft, bedplate, gearbox, main bearings, and yaw bearings. The role leads technical and operational problem solving, implements containment, resolves field issues, and drives systemic improvements intended to improve fleet availability and reliability and reduce Major Component Upgrades (MCUs).

The engineer collaborates with Fleet Performance, NPI Engineering, Field, Sourcing, Parts, Quality, suppliers, and other Customer Solutions resources. The position leads RCA teams, communicates progress and findings to internal and external customers, supports related PAC cases and SAFER actions, and manages RCA reporting, documentation, budgets, purchase-order workflows, and action plans. It also mentors junior RCA team leaders.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Proven knowledge and/or at least 10 years of experience leading or supporting mechanical RCAs using 8D, Shainin, Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.
• Extensive work experience, preferably in the wind industry.

Nice To Haves

• Deep technical understanding of yaw systems, drivetrain, bearings, gearbox, HPU, and/or other auxiliary systems used in a Machine Head environment.
• Detailed understanding of the product development cycle.
• Detailed understanding of the 8D problem-solving process.
• Positive, resourceful, clear, and strategic problem-solving approach, including creative and sustainable solutions to complex scenarios.
• Proven RCA technical expertise and project closure experience.
• Technical versatility and ability to learn technology outside one's specialty.
• Ability and willingness to travel 10% of the time.
• Ability and willingness to climb a wind turbine.
• Root Cause Analysis training or certification, such as 8-D, Apollo, or Shainin.
• Statistical literacy and familiarity with quality concepts and tools, such as Six Sigma Black Belt and Lean.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a product-reliability mindset.
• Strong field and customer mindset, with experience communicating with internal and/or external customers about product-quality topics such as RCAs.
• Prior direct or indirect team-management experience and influential leadership skills, including credibility and the ability to partner with, energize, and focus teams on priorities.
• Self-starter with personal ownership and accountability.
• Ability to understand business processes, issues, and concerns and translate them into solutions.
• Ability to work in fast-paced, multicultural, and highly matrixed environments.
• Master’s degree or above in Engineering from an accredited university or college.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end Machine Head mechanical product issues for assigned RCAs.
• Lead, execute, and resolve assigned RCAs from technical and operational perspectives, achieving timely and robust issue resolution and reducing MCUs.
• Define and implement fast-track containment for assigned RCAs.
• Build effective cross-functional relationships with Fleet Performance, NPI Engineering (Machine Head), Field, Sourcing, Parts, Quality, and other Customer Solutions resources.
• Identify and secure the roles and functions needed for RCA teams, escalating when required.
• Track the impact of assigned RCAs on availability, identify failure rates, and lead efforts to reduce failures in major components such as gearboxes and main or yaw bearings.
• Track assigned RCA KPIs, especially on-time delivery.
• Serve as the main technical contact for RCA communications and provide clear, concise, consistent messages to internal and external customers.
• Support escalated PAC cases related to assigned RCAs and ensure standard dispositions are created for RCA-related PAC cases.
• Support RCA-related SAFER actions, including defining general approaches and identifying reference cases to reduce unnecessary rework in similar future cases.
• Partner with Sourcing on recovery from suppliers for supplier-caused defects.
• Support commercial and technical discussions with suppliers to resolve field-quality issues.
• Provide regular updates on RCA progress and action plans in Quality Suite.
• Define required RCA budgets for purchase orders, evaluate cost-benefit impact, and own the related purchase-order approval and issuance workflow.
• Maintain thorough, well-organized RCA documentation in the Fleet Engineering folder.
• Own RCA reports and provide regular updates throughout the process.
• Mentor junior RCA team leaders.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Prescription drug coverage
• Health Coach access
• 24/7 nurse-based resource
• Employee Assistance Program with confidential assessment, counseling, and referral services
• GE Vernova Retirement Savings Plan, including a 401(k) savings opportunity
• Company matching contributions
• Company retirement contributions
• Fidelity resources and financial planning consultants
• Tuition assistance
• Adoption assistance
• Paid parental leave
• Disability benefits
• Life insurance
• 12 paid holidays
• Permissive time off
• Discretionary annual bonus

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior