Senior Consulting Compressor Aerodynamics 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. The Compressor Aerodynamics Group has technical responsibility for the aerodynamic design and analysis of Solar’s gas turbine axial compressors, including preliminary and detailed definition of flow path and airfoils, preliminary and detailed design of compressor inlets, and annular diffusers. Tasks also include qualification test planning and execution. The Compressor Aerodynamics Group supports new engine programs and core products, including uprates and upgrades, and further supports the timely resolution of product durability, manufacturing, and field issues. The Group also develops and maintains many of its own methods and tools, in addition to utilizing commercially available software. The Compressor Aerodynamics Engineer will collaborate frequently with the Mechanical Design, Heat Transfer, and Performance Groups to ensure that designs meet program requirements for manufacturability, cost, durability, and performance. He/She will also participate in the development of compressor models to accomplish the Group’s accountabilities. The successful candidate will: Actively apply principles, theories, and concepts with his/her engineering and analytical skills working in a tight-knit team. Develop and advance the state of the art of 1-D and 2-D compressor models for use in design and support activities. Work with test data to develop 1-D and 2-D models. Lead team discussions and brainstorming activities, and drive technology roadmaps. Work effectively in inter/intra-disciplinary team settings.

Requirements

Degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering
25+ years of relevant gas turbine compressor aerodynamics experience
Advanced experience developing compressor aero design tools and methods, including experience utilizing industry standard empirical correlations to tune models
Extensive engine and/or compressor rig test experience, including experience defining aero instrumentation, reducing data, and utilizing the data to drive future designs and methods
Experience interfacing with other design disciplines to develop aerodynamic technologies
Ability to clearly communicate verbally and in writing to internal and external customers and to bring his/her assigned tasks to clear and concise closure

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with state-of-the-art aerodynamic technologies applicable to axial flow compressors
Demonstrated experience with aerodynamic design processes including CFD pre- and post-processing
Experience with ANSYS CFX, and/or Numeca Fine Turbo, and geometry-creation tools including Creo
Experience with ConceptsNREC codes and/or STAR CCM+

Responsibilities

Actively apply principles, theories, and concepts with his/her engineering and analytical skills working in a tight-knit team
Develop and advance the state of the art of 1-D and 2-D compressor models for use in design and support activities
Work with test data to develop 1-D and 2-D models
Lead team discussions and brainstorming activities, and drive technology roadmaps
Work effectively in inter/intra-disciplinary team settings
Collaborate frequently with the Mechanical Design, Heat Transfer, and Performance Groups to ensure that designs meet program requirements for manufacturability, cost, durability, and performance
Participate in the development of compressor models to accomplish the Group’s accountabilities
Technical responsibility for the aerodynamic design and analysis of Solar’s gas turbine axial compressors, including preliminary and detailed definition of flow path and airfoils, preliminary and detailed design of compressor inlets, and annular diffusers
Qualification test planning and execution
Support new engine programs and core products, including uprates and upgrades
Support the timely resolution of product durability, manufacturing, and field issues
Develop and maintain many of its own methods and tools, in addition to utilizing commercially available software