Principal Materials Engineer

Career Area:

Engineering

Job Description:

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.

Job Description

Solar Turbines Incorporated, headquartered in San Diego, California, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. Solar manufactures the world’s most widely used family of mid-sized industrial gas turbines, ranging from 1 to 35 megawatts. Solar is a leading provider of energy solutions, featuring an extensive line of gas turbine-powered compressor sets, generator sets and mechanical drives.  When you join Solar, 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.  Along with our customers and the communities we work and live in, we are building a better world for tomorrow.

Job Summary:

This position, in the Materials & Process Engineering department, provides a variety of challenging opportunities working on alloys and coatings used in gas turbines including but not limited to conducting forensic investigation and root cause assessment for Solar’s product failure investigations, lead new material and process development programs, actively participate in product problem resolution projects, develop and qualify new suppliers, new product development programs and lead any manufacturing process development/changes that impact material properties and performance. The position will report to the group manager of Materials & Process Engineering. This position is in our San Diego headquarters.

Principal Accountabilities:

This position is cross-functional in nature and requires strong interaction with Solar's design engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, and customer services organizations. Principal responsibilities include providing technical expertise in metallurgy and thermomechanical processing of turbomachinery alloys with emphasis on superalloys. Responsibilities include turbine hot section materials development and selection, source qualification of internal and external component suppliers, evaluation of new and overhaul manufacturing technologies, ownership of related engineering specifications, and failure analysis. The successful candidate is expected to document all their work in various formal reports and support developing processes and technologies required to achieve greater efficiency, cost reduction and quality improvement.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Material Science, Materials Engineering, or equivalent.
• 6+ years of related industry experience.
• Working knowledge of physical and mechanical metallurgy, characterization techniques, and thermomechanical processing
• Knowledge in materials processes such as heat treatment, forging, casting and welding.
• Able to interpret engineering drawings. 
• Knowledgeable in the use and application of engineering analysis techniques. 
• Effective written and oral communication skills

Top candidates Have:

• An advanced degree in Materials Engineering or related field is preferred. 
• Ability to concurrently manage projects with varied complexity
• Demonstrated leadership and change management proficiencies.
• Prior experience in operational roles, Lean – Six Sigma, and Agile will be beneficial.
• A good technical knowledge of the materials used in gas turbines.
• Experience with steel and iron-based alloys including melt practices, processing, and testing
• Experience with superalloy investment casting, including single crystal castings, and materials life prediction methodologies.
• Familiar with standard gas turbine manufacturing, quality, design, and analysis methods.
• Experience performing failure analysis of metallic components, preferably those used in turbomachinery equipment
• Knowledge of coatings for additive manufacturing processes.

 

 

Summary Pay Range:

$120,600.00 - $180,900.00

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar. 

Benefits:

Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits*

• Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*

• 401(k) savings plans*

• Health Savings Account (HSA)*

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*

• Health Lifestyle Programs*

• Employee Assistance Program*

• Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*

• Career Development*

• Incentive bonus*

• Disability benefits

• Life Insurance

• Parental leave

• Adoption benefits

• Tuition Reimbursement

       

* These benefits also apply to part-time employees

 

 

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

 

 

 

 

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

 

 

Posting Dates:

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.  Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.

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