Principal Heat Transfer Engineer

Caterpillar•San Diego, CA

4d•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. As a Principal Heat Transfer Engineer at Solar Turbines, you will join a diverse group of technical experts in the Heat Transfer Applications team as part of the Technology & New Product Development organization. The Heat Transfer Applications team provides preliminary and detailed definition, analysis and experimental validation of turbine cooling systems which include secondary flow circuits, turbine disks, turbine diaphragms, and cooled airfoils. Other areas of responsibility include overall engine thermal management, transient thermal analysis and product support. Opportunities exist to develop advanced cooling techniques and improve design methodology. The Heat Transfer engineer applies in-depth technical expertise to the design and analysis of turbine cooling systems while collaborating with a cross-functional team to ensure all design objectives of the product are achieved.

Requirements

A BS degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or equivalent
Ability to clearly communicate verbally and in writing.
Be able to bring assigned tasks to clear and concise closure
Willingness to handle multiple complicated and challenging tasks efficiently
Direct experience performing advanced thermal analysis with application to high temperature turbomachinery at a leading gas turbine OEM or equivalent

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with an emphasis in thermal/fluid systems
Knowledge of advanced heat transfer design for turbomachinery.
Experience creating 2D axisymmetric whole engine finite element (FE) models of gas turbines with Ansys Mechanical APDL.
Familiarity with gas turbine secondary flow system design and 1D flow network analysis.
Ability to validate analytical models (steady-state and transient FEA, CFD) with experimental test data.
Experience performing thermal FE analysis of cooled turbine blades and vanes.
Experience developing FE modeling best practices, implementing quality control procedures, and creating standard work for others to follow
Strong communication skills with ability to mentor and lead a small team of analysts
Experience with the following software tools is highly desirable: Ansys Mechanical APDL and Workbench
1-D flow network simulation tools
Pro-Engineer/Creo, NX, Spaceclaim or other 3D CAD application equivalent
Star CCM+

Responsibilities

Utilize engineering and analytical skills to actively apply relevant principles, theories, and concepts while collaborating within a close-knit team.
Take the initiative to propose, promote, and implement innovative ideas and solutions.
Participate actively and contribute meaningfully to team discussions and brainstorming sessions.
Collaborate efficiently within both interdisciplinary and intradisciplinary team environments.
Be prepared to work in person from the San Diego, California office.
Apply and Collaborate: Utilize engineering and analytical skills to actively apply relevant principles, theories, and concepts while collaborating within a close-knit team.
Innovate and Implement: Take the initiative to propose, promote, and implement innovative ideas and solutions.
Engage and Contribute: Participate actively and contribute meaningfully to team discussions and brainstorming sessions.
Collaborate Across Teams: Collaborate efficiently within both interdisciplinary and intradisciplinary team environments.
Work Locally: Be prepared to work in person from the San Diego, California office.