Senior Systems Engineer, Mechanical Design

Critical Energy•Hawthorne, CA

About The Position

Critical Energy is seeking a versatile Senior Systems Engineer with expertise in mechanical design and fluid dynamics to contribute to the design, development, testing, and optimization of clean energy power generation systems. This role involves taking ownership of projects from inception to completion, focusing on the mechanical and structural design and integration of power generation systems and components such as heat exchangers, turbines, pumps, cooling & lubrication loops, piping, and other balance-of-plant subsystems. The ideal candidate will possess strong fundamental knowledge and practical product development experience to integrate system architecture, physical layout, and structural integrity, aiming for industry-leading performance, reliability, and seamless integration of complex energy systems. The position requires close collaboration with the Systems team, Turbomachinery, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Field Ops, and other departments. Candidates should be adaptable, open to new learning opportunities, and willing to expand their skill set to support Critical Energy's growth. While experience in power generation or process plant systems is a bonus, it is not a strict requirement. The job title may be adjusted based on the candidate's qualifications.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field, or equivalent experience
5+ years of proven experience in systems engineering or highly related role, with a strong portfolio of projects involving diverse and integrated machinery
A solid understanding of and the ability to apply first principles of core mechanical engineering principles, including structural and fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and material science
Experience with a modern CAD package and a willingness to immediately self-teach proficiency in Siemens NX
Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills
Highly self-motivated with effective communication and team-working skills
Experience with components and sub-systems common to power generation or process plants, like heat exchangers, pumps, turbines, valves, piping, fittings, sensors, and fluid management systems
Strong intuition for optimizing the layout of a complex system of machinery
Experience generating 3D models and managing assemblies in CAD while ensuring proper fit and function
Experience with FEA using commercial software (e.g., ANSYS Mechanical, NASTRAN, Catia)
Worked with other engineering disciplines (such as Aerodynamics, Turbomachinery, Dev Test, Materials, and Manufacturing) to optimize designs for performance, reliability, and manufacturability
Effective and respectful in communicating with other engineers even when it is controversial or regarding errors that you have observed or have been observed in your work
Experience creating and maintaining comprehensive design documentation including design reviews and component and system specifications

Nice To Haves

Been part of a team that designed and commissioned a power generation or processing plant
Proven expertise in Siemens NX / Teamcenter environment
Experience with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) using commercial software (e.g., ANSYS CFX, ANSYS Fluent)
Hands-on experience with product development, such as resolving manufacturing issues and analyzing test data to inform design modifications

Responsibilities

Define system requirements, interfaces, and performance targets related to mechanical structures and fluid systems
Develop and maintain system-level architecture for mechanical and fluid subsystems
Perform trade studies to evaluate mechanical configurations, flow architectures, and their impact on system performance and cost
Integrate components such as pumps, piping networks, valves, heat exchangers, and rotating machinery into the overall system design
Design structural support hardware for multiple components and sub-systems
Perform hand calculations using first principles to size components, determine flow rates, estimate stresses, etc.
Perform finite element analysis (FEA) to evaluate structural integrity of components and subsystems
Identify opportunities to optimize plant layout to increase construction efficiency, minimize cost, and improve maintainability
Identify, outline, design, and support component-level and sub-system testing required for risk mitigation
Assist in the development of test plans and instrumentation strategies to validate mechanical and fluid performance
Analyze experimental data to refine and improve system design
Generate technical documentation including system specifications, modeling reports, design trade studies, test analysis reports
Develop and manage relationships with third-party vendors
Support Field Ops teams with technical expertise and advice after product delivery and accept feedback on possible design improvements
Other related tasks as defined by your supervisor that add value to the design needs