Senior Principal Engineer 

Job Description: Senior Principal Engineer 

Senior Principal Engineer – Mechanical Design

Location: San Diego, California (On-site only)

Industry: Energy – Oil / Refinery / Drilling

Employment Type: Full-time

Seniority Level: Mid-Senior

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to join our innovative and collaborative Mechanical Design team in San Diego. You will play a vital role in designing and enhancing gas turbine components, ensuring performance, durability, and manufacturability while contributing to clean energy solutions worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement new or improved gas turbine hardware.

• Execute root cause analysis and implement design solutions from concept to product delivery.

• Lead mechanical design efforts and manage scopes of work under DevOps planning.

• Perform detailed design work including CAD modeling, stack-up analysis, and tolerance studies.

• Conduct and manage rig and engine component testing, including instrumentation and data analysis.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams: manufacturing, customer support, and supply chain.

• Support operations with design reviews, documentation, and technical troubleshooting.

• Communicate findings and solutions clearly through reports, presentations, and documentation.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering (or closely related field).

• 7–10 years of relevant mechanical design experience.

• Hands-on experience with concept and detail design principles.

• Strong knowledge of gas turbine design fundamentals and secondary cooling flow systems.

• Proficient in Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using ANSYS for modal and structural analysis.

• Experience reviewing and checking detailed engineering drawings.

• Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

• Extensive experience in compressor and/or combustion section design.
  
  

• Expertise in:
  
  

  • Creo (or similar CAD system)

  • ASME Y14.5-2009 GD&T standards

  • Welding, brazing, and other manufacturing techniques

  • Cross-section stack-ups and life prediction methods

  • Turbine blade heat transfer

  • Proficiency with Windchill, Microsoft Office, and technical writing.

  • Familiarity with gas turbine materials, processes, and test procedures.
    
    

Core Competencies

• Analytical Thinking: Ability to break down complex problems, identify causes, and implement effective solutions.

• Decision Making: Evaluate options critically and make informed judgments with a long-term view.

• Managing Priorities: Adapt to shifting priorities and manage multiple tasks with clear focus.

• Project Management: Plan, estimate, and track engineering projects with efficiency.

• Product Development: Drive concept-to-production development with creativity and technical expertise.

• Testing & Validation: Design and execute effective testing plans for turbine hardware.
  
  

About Solar Turbines & Caterpillar

As a division of Caterpillar Inc., Solar Turbines is a global leader in energy solutions. Caterpillar has powered industries and transformed infrastructure for nearly a century. Our work supports a lower-carbon future with advanced technologies, and we pride ourselves on diversity, sustainability, and innovation.

Additional Information

• Security Clearance: Not required

• Visa Sponsorship: Not available

• Interview Travel Reimbursement: Not provided

• Commission / Bonus: Not applicable

• Work Location: Onsite in San Diego, CA
  
  

If you’re a driven mechanical design expert passionate about sustainable energy and advanced engineering, we’d love to hear from you!