Solar Turbines

Senior Principal Engineer

Solar Turbines  •  $128k - $193k/yr  •  Houston, TX (Onsite)  •  9 hours ago
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Job Description

Career Area:

Engineering

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.

Responsibilities:

• This position is intended as an experienced engineering position expecting a minimum of 8 years industry experience.
• Primary role is to fulfill the mechanical engineering needs for Oil & Gas facilities engineering in the support of sales and execution for Solar Turbines products.
• Provides design/analytical mechanical engineering for projects and proposals to assure that design and equipment meets customer specifications and industry codes and standards.
• Will handle drawing specification, creation and modification, P&ID creation and review and equipment specification (vessels, shell & tube, fin fan coolers, valves, piping, electric heaters, etc).
• Will provide mentorship to junior engineers.
• Travels to fabrication sites, installation sites, and customer facilities as needed to support project requirements
• Position requires flexibility with personal schedule to meet deadlines and support occasional business travel

• Ability to work in the United States and able to travel internationally. Prefer he/she has a current US passport

Degree requirement:

Minimum of Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

What you need to have:

Technical Excellence:

  • Applicant’s background should include familiarity with API, ASME, ANSI, and other codes and standards as applied to mechanical balance of plant equipment..

  • Demonstrated proficiency in problem solving and troubleshooting.

  • Experience in pipe stress analysis is a plus.

  • Experience in using HYSYS is a plus

  • 6-Sigma background is a plus.

Effective Communications:

  • Effective communication skills, both written and oral, in the English language.

Managing Multiple Priorities:

  • Sense of urgency and good organizational skills are required to work with multiple projects and competing priorities.

PROBLEM COMPLEXITY:

Assignments cover a variety of mechanical design problems related to facilities engineering. Must be able to perform detailed analysis and calculations required and document results. Projects range from 1 to 24 months in length, occasionally longer.

WORK DIRECTION AND LATITUDE:

  • Works under the direction of project engineer on assigned proposal or project.

  • Reports organizationally to Project Execution Engineering Group Manager (Construction Services).

  • Performs design engineering, and specifies equipment related to discipline, on assigned proposals and projects under general supervision.

  • Follows established processes and procedures without exception.

  • Work is generally reviewed for soundness of technical judgment and overall adequacy and accuracy.

  • Can initiate and recommend design changes.

  • Can initiate and recommend departmental process changes.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Work entails active contributions to the development of project drawings such as PFDs, P&IDs, General Layouts, Piping Plans & Elevations, and Piping Isometrics

  • Active participation in the preparation and monitoring of project schedule for equipment purchase and engineering deliverables on the project.

  • Designs and specifies mechanical equipment and systems as required, typically including pressure vessels, heat exchangers, electric circulation heaters, pumps, compression systems, restriction orifices, manual valves, mechanical in-line devices, spring cans, and spring hangers.

  • Creates and issues requisitions for quotation and purchase of all mechanical equipment on a project

  • Participates in project design reviews and HAZOP reviews

  • Interfaces with suppliers during the definition of equipment scope and throughout project execution

  • Assists in design of system operating logic

  • Provides field support during fabrication, commissioning, and start-up of designed systems

  • Recommends design changes affecting areas of direct responsibility

  • Prepares proposal manhours and cost estimates and keep track of the manhours and equipment cost during the project execution.

LIAISON:

  • Frequent contact with engineers, supervisors, quality, purchasing, and fabrication to obtain information and give technical advice and direction, after proper review, related to assigned projects and proposals.

  • Occasional contact with suppliers and customers regarding technical and documentation expediting issues.

BUSINESS CONTRIBUTION:

Completes assigned tasks in a timely and professional manner, thus contributing to organizational effectiveness

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

  • Meets customer and company expectations for a quality product

  • Provides technical expertise on assigned projects

  • Identifies cost reduction opportunities for Solar’s activities

  • Assist in the development of departmental standards, processes and Solar Specifications.

  • Resolve complex mechanical problems as they arise.

  • Project deliverables (documents, calculations and equipment) delivered on time

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS:

  • Spanish language a plus but not required.

About Caterpillar

Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For nearly 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.

Pay Range:

$128,470.00 - $192,710.00

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

Posting Dates:

July 20, 2026 - July 26, 2026

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.

Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community

Solar Turbines

About Solar Turbines

Headquartered in San Diego, California, USA, Solar Turbines Incorporated, a subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of industrial gas turbines, with more than 16,000 units and over 3 billion operating hours in over 100 countries. Products from Solar Turbines play an important role in the development of oil, natural gas and power generation projects around the world. Solar Turbines’ products include gas turbine engines (rated from 1,590 to 52,500 horsepower), gas compressors, and gas turbine-powered compressor sets, mechanical-drive packages and generator sets (ranging from 1 to 39 megawatts). Solar’s customers put the company’s products to work in many areas including production, processing and pipeline transmission of natural gas and crude oil and generation of electricity and thermal energy for processing applications, such as manufacturing chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food products.

Solar’s foundation is people and Solar’s culture is one where individual contributions are valued, diversity in the workplace is encouraged, and safety is emphasized in all aspects of the business. Solar Turbines, founded in 1927, is comprised of a dedicated and multi-talented workforce of more than 8,000 employees with decades of experience working as a global team.

Industry
Oil, Gas & Mining
Company Size
5,001-10,000 employees
Headquarters
San Diego, CA
Year Founded
1927
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