Principal Compressor Aerodynamics Engineer

Solar Turbines•San Diego, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

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. The Gas Compressor Aerodynamics group has technical responsibilities for the aerodynamic design and testing of Solar’s gas compressor products, and detailed definition of aerodynamic flow path components. This role develops compressor flow path designs and compressor stage predictions for customer applications. Centrifugal, mixed flow impellers and static flow path components are designed to match our turbines and meet customer's needs in pipeline and production compressors. The group supports new compressor programs and core products, test stand and field support. The candidate is expected to develop new tools, methods, and designs to support Solar Turbines product goals. In addition, the candidate is expected to perform production air tests, PTC-10, development closed loop testing planning, evaluation and post processing of test results. The successful candidate supports new equipment sales, aftermarket sales, and field performance issues as needed for all gas compressor models. Manufacturing and supply chain support for bladed components is required to ensure schedule, cost, and performance are met. The successful candidate shall communicate and interact well with design, product support, operations, supply chain, and rotor dynamics. In addition to detailed design, test support and performance modeling is also a responsibility. Factory and development test support and analysis of centrifugal compressors to support sales predictions and guarantees is a major product responsibility. 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

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering
5+ years of gas compressor experience
Proficiency in programming languages (Python, C, C++, Perl or other similar tools)
Ability to multitask and handle challenging tasks effectively and consistently
Requires working onsite five days a week
Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of meanline 1-D, 2-D, 3-D aero design tools and methods to design gas compressor aerodynamic components
Advanced degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering
Hands-on experience with the following software: Matlab, Ansys CFX, Fluent, Fortran/Python programming
Familiarity with machine learning and optimization algorithms as applicable to aerodynamic design
Experience with Ansys CFX, Fluent, Star CCM and other CAD software
Experience with troubleshooting aerodynamic performance on industrial turbomachinery

Responsibilities

Develop compressor flow path designs and compressor stage predictions for customer applications
Design centrifugal, mixed flow impellers and static flow path components to match our turbines and meet customer's needs in pipeline and production compressors
Support new compressor programs and core products, test stand and field support
Develop new tools, methods, and designs to support Solar Turbines product goals
Perform production air tests, PTC-10, development closed loop testing planning, evaluation and post processing of test results
Support new equipment sales, aftermarket sales, and field performance issues as needed for all gas compressor models
Provide manufacturing and supply chain support for bladed components to ensure schedule, cost, and performance are met
Communicate and interact well with design, product support, operations, supply chain, and rotor dynamics
Perform detailed design, test support and performance modeling
Provide factory and development test support and analysis of centrifugal compressors to support sales predictions and guarantees
Actively apply principles, theories, and concepts with his/her engineering and analytical skills working in a tight-knit team
Develop analytical tools / software to improve aerodynamic design and predictive capabilities
Be highly engaged in team discussions and brainstorming activities
Work effectively in inter/intra-disciplinary team settings