Principal Thermal 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’ GCE Mechanical and Electrical Analysis (MEA) Group is seeking a Principal Engineer specializing in thermal modeling and analysis to advance the thermal capability of Solar’s gas compressor product line. This role focuses on expanding compressor operating envelopes to cover high‑discharge‑temperature and low‑suction‑temperature applications through advanced modeling, simulation, and testing.

Requirements

Master’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering.
Six years of direct work experience on thermal modeling and analysis.
Hands on experience with flow and heat transfer co-simulation and conjugate heat transfer simulation.
Strong Foundation in Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, and Computational Fluid Dynamics.
Familiar with compressor thermal test instrumentation including RTD, thermal couples, flow transmitters, flow regulators and control valves.
Proficiency with Ansys Mechanical, Flownex, Ansys Fluent, Ansys CFX and Matlab.
Knowledge of various types of steel and alloys, for example, carbon and low alloy steels, stainless steel (austenitic and martensitic), and Nikel alloys, and their behavior across extreme temperatures.

Nice To Haves

PhD in mechanical and aerospace engineering
Four years of additional direct work experience on thermal modeling and analysis.
Familiar Dry Gas Seal and Separation Seals technologies.
Understanding of polymers used in seal technology.
Experience reading and interpreting pipeline compression station P&IDs.
Proficiency with Siemens Star-CCM+.
Experience with Python Coding and Stress analysis using Ansys.

Responsibilities

Integrate seal‑supplier flow/heat‑loss data and Solar closed‑loop test data to build and refine flow and heat‑transfer co‑simulation models.
Map thermal profiles across discharge‑side subassemblies including balance pistons, dry gas seals, separation seals, and surrounding cavities.
Perform analytical calculations and, when required, CFD simulations to validate supplier flow/loss data.
Develop guidelines for extrapolating predictions across seal sizes, types, and field operating conditions.
Conduct Conjugate Heat Transfer simulations of rapid decompression events to characterize temperature evolution in compressor casings and internal components.
Provide recommendations for material selection based on thermal response.
Establish temperature limits, flow requirements, and pressure‑setting guidelines to support integration of new seal technologies and new suppliers to expand compressor operating envelope.
Partner with software vendors to enhance co‑simulation tool capabilities and evaluate new tools for improved flexibility, accuracy, and efficiency.
Work with Rotordynamics, Aerodynamics, and GCB CLTF testing teams to develop high‑discharge‑temperature test plans, implement loop modifications, and execute testing in the GCB closed‑loop facility.