NPI Entry Level Rotational Engineer - MS/PHD

Solar Turbines Incorporated • San Diego, CA

113d • $92,500 - $118,000

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. To establish a strong foundation, the successful candidate will be a part of an Engineering Rotation program that is a purpose-driven initiative designed to accelerate your development and lay a strong foundation for long-term success. Through immersive, hands-on rotations, you'll gain skills, experience, and networks to become one of the next generation's most capable and innovative engineers. During the selection process, candidates are matched with a core functional department that aligns with their strengths and career aspirations. The program consists of two (2) to three (3) rotations, each lasting 16-20 weeks, within departments that complement the candidate's long-term placement. These rotations strengthen enterprise understanding, broaden product knowledge, and support a seamless transition into their engineering career.

Requirements

• In the process of obtaining or have obtained a minimum of a Master's degree in an accredited engineering program such as Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemistry, etc.
• Overall GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale.
• Applied knowledge of engineering fundamentals.
• Experience with problem-solving tasks.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be able and willing to relocate to San Diego, CA and be in office full time.

Nice To Haves

• Experience (Course work or internship) in turbomachinery concepts.
• High energy level and sense of urgency.
• Demonstrated success in weighing business and technical decisions.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities for a variety of tasks.
• Previous co-op or Internship experience.
• Problem solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Application of Gas Turbine Aerodynamic Principles: Leverage conceptual, preliminary and detailed aerodynamic tools to design and analyze turbine and compressor flowpath components, including airfoils, ducts, diffusers and collectors.
• Multidisciplinary Design and Integration: Work closely with other disciplines to ensure that aerodynamic designs meet program requirements for manufacturability, cost, durability and performance.
• Simulation and Methods Development: Contribute to the development and maintenance of 1D, 2D, and 3D design and analysis tools that enable aerodynamic and multidisciplinary gas turbine design. Utilize state-of-the-art Computation Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to optimize and design turbine hardware.
• Concept and Advanced Thermodynamic Cycle Studies: Conduct studies to develop and calibrate performance predictions for new or upgraded engines and oversee performance during development.
• Production Tests and Product Support: Support production tests and product support efforts using performance predictions and data analysis tools.
• Software Development and Maintenance: Develop and maintain software used to analyze, predict, and guarantee the performance of Solar's products.
• Critical Services and Software: Provide services and software critical to the success of Turbomachinery Product design, Sales and Applications, Customer Services, Overhaul facilities, and customer sites.
• Engine Data Analysis: Analyze engine data from tests to troubleshoot and monitor the aeromechanical behavior and performance of each product line.
• Transient Cycle Models: Produce transient cycle models to create advanced AI-based digital twins that will unlock extending service intervals, cycle count capabilities, and increase efficiency through operational flexibility.
• Turbine Component Design: Design the cooling circuits and create thermal models of various components including cooled blades and nozzles, turbine disks, diaphragms, pre-swirler, etc. as part of a cross-functional design team.
• Secondary Cooling Flow Management: Distribute the secondary cooling air throughout the engine to provide adequate cooling to the turbine section components by using 1-D flow codes for straightforward flow geometry and CFD for more complex flow situations.
• Develop Innovative Design Solutions: Design, analyze and validate creative solutions to reduce cooling flow consumption to enhance engine performance and/or improve durability.
• Overall Engine Thermal Management: Provide thermal model predictions through a transient cycle to understand seal and rotor tip behavior as well as overall engine displacement. Support analyses such as heat rejection to the lube oil system and surrounding enclosure ventilation to size and assess ancillary package systems.
• Application of Combustion Fundamental: Leverage Knowledge of chemical kinetics, oscillations, and other combustion system modeling tools and experimental methods employed to optimize emissions, stability, and operational flexibility.
• Combustion hardware optimization: Design and analyze injectors and combustor liners to enhance fuel-air mixing and thermal performance.
• Cross-functional integration: Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate combustion system advancements into turbine products.
• Progress innovative design solution: Utilize computational and experimental techniques to validate design concepts and optimize performance.
• Engineering Fundamentals Application: Leverage knowledge of stress, strain, fatigue, and mechanics of materials to interpret model outputs and ensure alignment with physical design principles.
• Design Optimization Support: Collaborate with mechanical engineers to analyze gas turbine component designs and identify opportunities for improving durability, and manufacturability.
• Predictive Modeling: Develop and validate machine learning models using test data, simulation outputs, and operational metrics to support design decisions and reduce development cycles.
• Workflow Integration: Assist in embedding data science tools and models into existing design workflows and software platforms to enable real-time feedback and automation.
• Visualization & Communication: Create clear, actionable dashboards and visualizations to communicate insights to cross-functional teams, including design, manufacturing, and reliability engineering.

Benefits

• Base salary for this role ranges from $92,500, to $118,000.
• Annual incentive bonus plan.
• Medical, dental and vision coverage starting day 1.
• Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holiday, Volunteer, Etc.).
• 401(k) Savings Plan including company match.
• Health savings account (HSA).
• Flexible spending accounts (FSAs).
• Short and long-term disability coverage.
• Life Insurance.
• Parental leave.
• Employee Assistance Programs.
• Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts.
• Career Development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Machinery Manufacturing
• Education Level: Master's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees