Senior Performance Engineer

Innio•Houston, TX

About The Position

INNIO Group is a global distributed energy solutions provider that designs, manufactures, and services high-performance power systems under its Jenbacher and Waukesha brands. The company supports applications including data centers, microgrids, grid stabilization, industrial energy, and gas compression, and employs over 5,000 people worldwide. The Senior Engineer, Combustion Engine Performance specializes in combustion engine performance, focusing on the design, development, and optimization of advanced 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. It contributes to high-performance solutions supporting business and customer objectives. The position includes performance development and validation at the Houston test bench and customer sites, engine commissioning and troubleshooting, technical analysis and recommendations, and project planning and execution. It also supports service training, collaboration across engineering teams and external partners, and development teams in the USA and Europe. Travel is approximately 60%, with occasional international travel. Work involves office and outdoor environments and may require navigating large customer and project sites and wearing required personal protective equipment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
Proven experience in the performance development and validation of internal combustion engines.
Proficiency in engineering tools and methodologies, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Demonstrated project management capabilities 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; independent transportation arrangements may be needed. Occasional international travel 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 PPE 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 the ability to lead, coordinate, and support engineers, technical experts, and external suppliers; influence others; navigate conflict; set expectations; and align globally diverse teams.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to present technical information and collaborate 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, with the ability to evaluate complex technical challenges and develop 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 performance development and validation activities at the Houston test bench and at 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 INNIO stakeholders.
Generate ideas for improved products, systems, and technologies, and support the creation of INNIO intellectual property.
Set up and execute project and validation activities, monitoring status with involved parties to serve business and customer needs.
Define and execute work packages and tasks to improve products and technologies; support planning and analyze skill gaps within the business.
Support the Service Organization through technical training and expertise.
Foster an open, communicative team environment that encourages diverse perspectives and values 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 as assigned to support successful operations and business continuity.