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Solar Turbines

Sr. Project Engineer Plant Design

Solar Turbines, Houston, Texas, United States, 77246

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Overview

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. Solar Turbines, a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., is looking for a qualified Senior Principal Project Engineer to provide Balance-of-Plant (BOP) Engineering and Design oversight and direction for projects utilizing Solar’s family of Turbomachinery.

Responsibilities

Responsible for the overall Balance of Plant (BOP) engineering (Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Instrument) and design (Struct, Mech, Electr, Instrument) of projects utilizing Solar gas turbine generators and compressors sets.

Technically manages projects, or proposals, including gas compressor stations, power generation and co-generation facilities, offshore Single Lift Modules for both compression and power generation, and Modular Building Solutions. “Modular Building Solutions” refers to Solar’s Configurable Modular Prefabricated Building (CMPB). The CMPB is a structural block based building that houses Solar Turbomachinery and the BOP systems that support the Solar Turbomachinery.

Works closely with the project manager, supply chain, document control, Solar Turbomachinery, and other stakeholders to ensure the project is smoothly executed from a technical aspect.

Interfaces with Sales Management, Construction Services Project Management, Construction Service Management, TurboFab Project Coordinator (TurboFab is Solar’s Fabrication facility in Channelview, TX), Turbomachinery Project Management, Area Management Staff, Turbomachinery Engineering, Customer Services, and Procurement. Externally interfaces with customer management, outside engineering company management, subcontractors, and suppliers.

Travel 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 travel internationally. Current US passport is preferred.

Education & Qualifications

Degree Requirement:

Minimum of Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering; preferred. Structural or Chemical Engineering degree acceptable. Master of Science Degree in Engineering is a plus. Professional Engineering License is a major plus.

Skill Descriptor Technical Excellence:

10 years plus experience in leading engineering activities of large complex projects in the oil and gas industry, preferably involving Solar Turbines equipment.

Familiar with common fabrication/construction codes and specifications including ANSI, ASME (B31.3, B31.8, Sect. VIII, D2), ASTM, API, NEC, IEC (basic), and NFPA. International codes desirable.

Demonstrated proficiency in problem solving and troubleshooting.

Proficient with MS O365 tools (Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive).

6-Sigma background is a plus.

Experience with working with a fabrication yard or facility is a plus.

Solid knowledge of mechanical equipment (turbines, compressors, generators, etc.) is a plus.

Ability to identify technical, budget, and scheduling risk and develop a strategy to mitigate the risk.

Effective Communications:

Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, in the English language.

Managing Multiple Priorities:

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

Project Complexity Accountable for planning, developing, managing, and directing engineering activities associated with new business proposals and firm business projects with values from $500K to over $20 million per project. The scope includes magnitude and complexity, geographic location, and multiple internal/external interfaces. Typical BOP equipment includes Solar Turbine Compressor or Generator sets, Process Cooler, Local electrical Room (LER), Fuel Gas Skid, Seal Gas skid, Yard Valves, Building Ventilation, Fire & Gas Detection, etc. Projects range from 1 to 18 months in length, occasionally longer.

Work Direction & Latitude

Works with latitude, but at the direction of the Project Manager on assigned proposal or project.

Reports to Project Execution Engineering Manager (Construction Services).

Follows established processes and procedures without exception.

Recommends and initiates design changes as required.

Recommends and initiates departmental process changes as required.

Responsibilities and Duties

Follow the technical scope, engineering schedules, engineering budgets, and supporting fabrication/construction.

Develop the Engineering Document Report (EDR), ensure Design develops the Drawing Status Report (DSR), and develop the Project Deliverables List (PDL) for project manager approval.

Review and approve engineered products (Basis of Design, calculations, drawings, reports, project-specific specifications), RFQ responses, and vendor documentation for soundness and adequacy.

Create and maintain accuracy of the Basis of Design or CS ACS (PEMEX projects) document.

Identify Project Change Notices (PCN's), gather costs from Engineering/Design/TurboFab, and submit PCN for approval.

Lead weekly engineering update meetings with the project team and ensure closure of action items.

Prepare monthly project reports and discuss in PM meetings.

Travel domestically or internationally as required to support projects.

Lead milestone/critical path schedule development for key deliverables; update fabrication milestones.

Attend weekly fabrication milestone meetings with TurboFab.

Ensure vendor documentation is reviewed and returned per EDR schedule.

Address customer comments on approval documents in a timely fashion.

Coordinate customer/interface activities and fulfill additional customer requirements (RFI, Technical Queries, etc.).

Compile Lessons Learned for project postmortem.

Address quality issues (BMQA or field TechConnect) as appropriate.

Follow Construction Services QMS processes and serve as a technical resource for the team.

Support field activities during fabrication, installation, commissioning, and start-up of designed systems at Solar’s TurboFab facility in Channelview, TX.

Liaison

Frequent contact with engineers, managers, quality, purchasing, and fabrication for information and technical direction on assigned projects.

Adequate contact with suppliers and customers regarding technical and documentation expediting issues.

Ability to conduct customer meetings and collaborate with customer engineers while safeguarding Solar’s scope, budget, and schedule.

Business Contribution Completes assigned tasks in a timely and professional manner per schedule, contributing to organizational effectiveness.

Principal Accountabilities

Ensures project deliverables (drawings, vendor data, reports, calculations, etc.) for Solar and Customer are on schedule and meet quality expectations.

Completes projects on or under budget.

Identifies and issues PCNs for scope changes and cost/time impacts.

Provides technical leadership to Engineering and Design project teams.

Identifies cost reduction opportunities for Solar’s activities.

Assists in developing departmental standards, specifications, tools, processes, and equipment.

Miscellaneous Items

Ability to read/write in technical Spanish is a major plus.

Facilities design/construction/operations experience a plus.

Must be USA citizen or Green Card holder with the ability to work in the USA. Visa sponsorship will not be offered.

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. We are committed to a reduced-carbon future and sustainable world.

Compensation & Benefits Summary Pay Range:

$125,925.00 - $188,887.00

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors. Salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.

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. This employer is not currently hiring foreign national applicants that require sponsorship for a specific employer. Opportunities outside the U.S. are available at www.caterpillar.com/careers.

Posting Dates:

October 14, 2025 - October 28, 2025

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