Job Description Summary

The Senior Principal Engineer (SPE) for Rotors, Load Couplings, and Compressor Mechanical Systems provides critical technical leadership and quality assurance for gas turbine mechanical solutions. Aligned with the GE Vernova Engineer 2030 vision, this position plays a key role in development of compressor & sub-systems technologies, fleet management and , ensuring technical integrity, risk management, and deliberate & proactive collaboration with cross-functional teams throughout the design lifecycle.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

1. Safety Leadership

• Leads safety risk identification across high risk technologies, product line or systems.
• Proactively drives design changes to eliminate downstream risk in product life cycle

2. Technical Guidance and Quality Assurance

• Provide robust technical guidance and ensure high-quality mechanical solutions for gas turbine rotors, load couplings, and related systems in alignment with business initiatives and SQDC principles.
• Establish and maintain standardized design template roadmaps and design practices. Drive the creation of design templates and standard work to ensure engineering excellence.
• Provide technical direction from requirements and concept definition through validation, release, and field support.
• Drives preventive actions programs for providing high quality product & solutions and influences key stake holder to drive this into action.

3. Compressor Mechanical Systems Technical Integrity

• Partner with Chief Engineer in system-level trade studies, ensuring component designs function as an integrated compressor system across operating, transient, and off-design conditions.
• Identify and manage system-level mechanical risks, including structural integrity, vibrations, thermal effects, clearances, life, and component/interface interactions in partnership with the Systems organization and the Chief Engineer’s Office.

4. Top Issues and Special Projects Leadership

• Lead and drive solutions for top issues and special projects across gas turbine and power plant systems where impact on/from rotors and load couplings is prevalent.
• Provide oversight, in conjunction with Chief Engineers, on critical compressor-related Root Cause Analyses (RCAs) and site issues. Drive CAPA to address repeat failures and protect Customer commitments
• Engage with the Advanced Research Center (ARC) on select technology development and demonstration projects.

5. Supply Chain Partnership

• Collaborate with Supply Chain, CTHs, and Technical Leads to resolve emerging issues and proactively mitigate risks in future designs and manufacturing approaches.
• Identify opportunities for enhancements in product durability, performance, and cost.

Competency Requirements

Technical Competencies:

• Deep Subject Matter Expertise: Proficiency in rotor dynamics, structural mechanics, fatigue and fracture mechanics, and thermodynamic interactions within the compressor flowpath.

• Provide end-to-end technical leadership for highly complex engineering projects and programs,
• ensuring sound architecture, technical rigor, safety, quality, and lifecycle risk closure.
• Own critical projects and technical deliverables supporting the success of compressor module
• Act as a primary technical resource and subject matter expert within
• Rotors and load couplings providing guidance to project teams, suppliers, customers, and stakeholders.
• Review and approve engineering documentation, deliverables, deviations, and waivers to ensure
• compliance with internal requirements, external regulations, and industry standards.

• Systems Integration: Ability to analyze complex component interactions under various operating, transient, and off-design conditions.
• Tools & Methodology: Advanced knowledge of CAD/FEA/CFD tools (e.g., Ansys, Abaqus, NX) and familiarity with GE Vernova design practices and design template roadmaps. Drive culture of lean mindset within team to device new methods/tools to eliminate waste in process and design.
• Root Cause Analysis: Expert-level capability in conducting and leading complex RCAs and identifying systemic improvements.
• Innovation: Leads innovation initiatives within a product or technologies areas
• Manufacturing Knowledge: Understanding of DFM (Design for Manufacturing) principles, casting, forging, and additive manufacturing processes relevant to rotor hardware.

Leadership & Professional Competencies:

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to bridge current design practices with the "Engineer 2030" vision, driving innovation in durability, performance, and cost.
• Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to convey complex technical risks and solutions to diverse stakeholders, including Chief Engineers and external partners.
• Mentorship: Demonstrated passion for coaching and developing junior-to-mid-level engineers, fostering a culture of technical rigor and SQDC (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost) principles.
• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively across organizational boundaries, including Supply Chain, ARC, and Field Services.

 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent; PhD is preferred.
• 12+ years of experience in Gas Turbine design, specifically focusing on Rotating Components, Structural Dynamics, and/or Compressor Systems.
• Proven track record of technical leadership in high-stakes engineering environments, including demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams and executive leadership.

 

Desired Characteristics

• Recognized technical expert in compressor rotating systems.
• Proven ability to lead technical teams and deliver results.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to provide clear communications and solid leadership on challenging technical issues
• Experience interfacing with customers, conferences, user groups
• Customer-focused with clear, concise written and oral communications at the appropriate level
• Experience and demonstrated success working in a complex cross-functional global environment
• Servant leadership mindset
• Restless dissatisfaction with “the way things are done” … focused on continuous improvement
• Data-driven but decisive despite ambiguity
• Humble, open, collaborative, and continuously learning
• Able to travel globally as needed
• Leadership to pursue correct engineering process in adverse conditions

 

 

 

 

Additional Information