Principal Engineer (Nondestructive Testing)

Solar Turbines•San Diego, CA

1d•$120,600 - $180,900•Onsite

About The Position

Solar Turbines’ GCE Mechanical and Electrical Analysis (MEA) Group is seeking a Principal Engineer specializing in Non Destructive Testing/Examination (NDT/NDE). The role supports current gas compressor production and strategic expansion into advanced product capabilities, including hydrogen compression. The position works with suppliers and Solar’s Supply Chain organization to develop, review, and improve inspection processes, evaluate supplier results, and ensure NDE requirements are accurate and consistent across engineering documentation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Civil, Electrical, or Materials Engineering.
Minimum of eight years of direct work experience in non-destructive testing.
Practical experience with contact and immersion Ultrasonic Testing, Radiographic Testing, MPI, FPI, and LPI.
Familiarity with UT beam-tool simulation for scan-plan design and validation.
Working knowledge of ASTM and ASME NDE standards on UT, RT, MPI, FPI, and LPI.
Strong theoretical understanding of ultrasonic and radiographic testing.
Understanding of defect types and failure mechanisms in steels and alloys, including carbon and low-alloy steels, austenitic and martensitic stainless steels, and nickel alloys.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Civil, Electrical, or Materials Engineering.
Deep knowledge of Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing.
Experience with linear accelerators and computed tomography (CT).
Familiarity with steel and alloy manufacturing processes.
Familiarity with welding and brazing processes.
Experience performing stress analysis using Ansys.

Responsibilities

Partner with suppliers to develop and implement NDE inspection processes for cast austenitic stainless-steel housings, including method selection, calibration, acceptance criteria, validation, and documentation.
Review and enhance NDE processes for low-carbon steel welds, including acceptance criteria and documentation.
Evaluate and improve NDE inspection processes across manufacturing plants for cast compressor housings, cast/forged/brazed impellers, stub-shafts, endcaps, and other critical components.
Review and update NDE inspection notes on new and legacy engineering drawings to ensure technical necessity, accuracy, and consistency across documentation.
Work closely with suppliers and Solar’s Supply Chain organization to implement process improvements.
Review supplier NDE results to accept or reject non-conforming parts, identify process gaps, and drive corrective actions.