Senior Performance Engineer

Innio•Houston, TX

About The Position

INNIO Group is a global distributed energy solutions provider that designs, manufactures, and services power systems under its Jenbacher and Waukesha brands. The Senior Engineer, Combustion Engine Performance specializes in combustion engine performance, including the design, development, and optimization of engine technologies to meet performance, efficiency, and regulatory requirements. The role leads and executes product development activities, ensures technical alignment across functions and sites, and drives innovation in support of business and customer objectives. The engineer plans and executes performance development and validation at the Houston test bench and customer sites, supports commissioning and troubleshooting, and analyzes technical challenges encountered by project teams. The role also manages project and validation activities, defines work packages to improve products and technologies, supports service training, and facilitates collaboration among development teams in the USA and Europe. Travel is approximately 60% to customer and project sites, with occasional international travel. Work takes place in office and outdoor environments and may involve physically navigating large sites and accessing equipment, subject to safety requirements and reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
Proven experience in performance development and validation of internal combustion engines.
Proficiency in engineering tools and methodologies, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Demonstrated project management capability to manage complex performance validation tasks and technically guide cross-functional project teams.
Ability to travel approximately 60% to customer and project sites, including rural or remote locations; reliable independent transportation arrangements may be required.
Ability to safely navigate large project and customer sites, including walking and standing for extended periods, climbing ladders, accessing equipment, and occasionally bending, kneeling, crouching, or stooping.
Ability to work in office and outdoor environments, including varying weather conditions, and wear required personal protective equipment and comply with site safety requirements, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Experience in power generation, energy, oil and gas, industrial equipment, or related heavy industrial industries.
Experience with reciprocating engines or comparable heavy industrial and energy-related equipment.
Strong leadership skills, including coordinating and supporting engineers, technical experts, and external suppliers; influencing others; navigating conflict; setting expectations; and aligning globally diverse teams.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presenting technical information and collaborating with customers, senior management, and global cross-functional teams.
Hands-on approach and willingness and ability to work directly with engines and support activities at customer sites.
Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset for evaluating complex technical challenges and developing practical solutions.
Self-driven and results-oriented, with a high degree of technical ownership and a strong say/do mentality.
Strong organizational and interpersonal skills and a collaborative, team-oriented approach to managing large, integrated programs and teams.

Responsibilities

Plan, lead, and execute engine performance development and validation activities at the Houston test bench and customer sites.
Support engine commissioning and troubleshooting at customer sites.
Analyze and resolve technical challenges encountered by project teams at customer locations.
Analyze, prepare, and present technical data and actionable recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.
Generate ideas for improved products, systems, and technologies, and support creation of INNIO intellectual property.
Set up and execute project and validation activities, and monitor their status with involved parties.
Define and execute work packages and tasks to improve products and technologies; support planning and analyze business skill gaps.
Support the Service Organization through technical training and expertise.
Foster an open, communicative team environment that encourages diverse perspectives and critical-to-quality considerations.
Improve project efficiency through appropriate methods and processes, reducing duplication and handovers while promoting task ownership.
Collaborate with internal engineering teams and external partners.
Act as a point of contact and facilitator for development teams in the USA and Europe.
Perform other related duties to support successful operations and business continuity.