Principal NPI Mechanical Engineer

Caterpillar•San Diego, CA

1d•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. Solar Turbines is looking for a motivated team member to work on New Product Introduction (NPI) using the agile development process. The Principal NPI Mechanical Engineer is responsible for driving the development and delivery of new turbomachinery products from concept through beneficial use. This role leads mechanical design efforts, evaluates and refines design solutions, and ensures they are safe, high-quality, and cost-effective. Success in this position requires strong analytical skills, hands-on engineering expertise, and close collaboration with cross-functional teams throughout the product lifecycle.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
10+ years of engineering experience
Strong foundation in structural mechanics and mechanical design principles
Proficiency with CAD tools (e.g., Creo) and PLM systems (e.g., Windchill)
Experience with engineering analysis tools (FEA and/or CFD)
Knowledge of engineering drawing standards and GD&T
Familiarity with Agile development processes
Experience performing stress, torsional, or lifting analyses

Nice To Haves

Master’s in Mechanical Engineering or related field
Experience with gas turbine systems and their operation
Advanced proficiency with analysis tools (e.g., ANSYS, RISA, STAR-CCM+)
Experience with Ansys SpaceClaim and configurable/linked data structures
Knowledge of the Agile/Scrum -Process

Responsibilities

Partner with Product Owners, Scrum Masters, and cross-functional stakeholders to translate business needs into actionable design requirements and engineering solutions
Develop innovative design concepts, perform trade studies, and execute detailed mechanical design (3D modeling and drawings) to deliver optimized solutions
Perform engineering analyses (structural, torsional, lifting, and CFD) to validate designs and ensure performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness
Create and maintain BOMs and product documentation to support accurate manufacturing and product traceability
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and suppliers to ensure manufacturability, quality, and successful procurement, fabrication, and first-article builds
Investigate field issues, conduct root cause analysis, and drive continuous improvement through corrective actions, design reviews, and technical presentations
Optimize subsequent designs for manufacturability, durability, quality, and cost