Solar Turbines · 1 week ago
Sr. Project Engineer Plant Design
Houston, TX
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$128K/yr - $193K/yr
10+ years expSolar Turbines, a subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., is seeking a qualified Senior Principal Project Engineer to oversee Balance-of-Plant Engineering and Design for various projects involving turbomachinery. The role involves managing engineering activities, ensuring technical execution of projects, and collaborating with multiple teams and external partners.
EnergyManufacturingOil and Gas
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
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, include 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 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 the incumbent 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 able to travel internationally. Current US passport is preferred
Following the technical scope, engineering schedules, engineering budgets, and supporting fabrication/construction
Developing the Engineering Document Report (EDR), ensuring Design develops the Drawing Status Report (DSR) and developing the Project Deliverables List (PDL) for project manager approval
Reviews and approves engineered products (Basis of Design, calculations, drawings, reports, project specific specifications), Request for Quotes, and vendor documentation, etc. for soundness of technical judgment and overall adequacy and accuracy
Creating and maintaining accuracy of the Basis of Design or CS ACS (PEMEX projects) document
Identifying Project Change Notices (PCN's), gathering the costs from Engineering/Design/TurboFab and submitting the PCN to the project manager for approval
Holding weekly engineering update meetings with the project team to review progress, commitments, issues, etc. and insuring closure of them
Preparing monthly project reports (describe past month major achievements, budget to date, estimating project hours to complete, drawing/RFP/Vendor doc progress and metrics) and discuss them in the PE monthly meetings
Traveling domestically or internationally as required to support projects
Leading the development of setting a milestone or critical path schedule for key project deliverables. Leading the updates to the fabrication milestone or critical path schedule (project tabs)
Attending the weekly fabrication milestone or critical path schedule meeting with TurboFab
Ensuring that vendor documentation is reviewed and returned per EDR schedule
Ensuring customer comments to approval documents are addressed in a timely fashion
Satisfying any additional customer interface requirements beyond that which Solar requires (i.e., customer telecons, Request for Info, Technical Queries, Quality Alerts, etc
Compiling Lessons Learned for project postmortem
Addressing project manager quality issues such as BMQA or field TechConnect issues
Following company processes and procedures as outlines in the Construction Services QMS process maps
Being a technical steward or resource for project team members by assisting them to answer technical questions
Support the field during fabrication, installation, commissioning, and start-up of designed systems. Fabrication is normally at Solar’s fabrication facility (TurboFab) in Channelview, TX
Frequent contact with engineers, managers, 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
Able to conduct a customer meeting, work with the customer or customer engineer in a supportive manner while guarding Solar’s interests (scope, budget, and engineering schedule)
Ensures project deliverables (drawings, vendor data, reports, calcs, etc.) for Solar (TurboFab, Turbomachinery, etc.) and Customer are on schedule and are a quality product
Completes projects on or under budget
Identifies and issues PCN’s (cost/time) for project scope changes
Provides technical expertise and leadership to the Engineering and Design project teams
Identifies cost reduction opportunities for Solar’s activities
Assists in the development of departmental standards, specifications, tools, processes, and equipment
Qualification
Required
Minimum of Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, preferred, Structural or Chemical Engineering degree acceptable
10 years plus experience in leading engineering activities of large complex projects in the oil and gas industry, preferably involving Solar Turbines equipment
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, in the English language
Sense of urgency and good organizational skills are required to work with multiple projects and competing priorities
Ability to work in the United States and able to travel internationally
Must be USA citizen or 'Green Card' holder with the ability to work in the USA
Preferred
Master of Science Degree in Engineering is a plus
Professional Engineering License is a major plus
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 Specialty codes
Codes used internationally (codes from other countries) – Desirable
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 read/write in technical Spanish is a major plus
Facilities design/construction/operations experience a plus
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
Company
Solar Turbines
Solar Turbines Incorporated, a subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of industrial gas turbines.
5001-10000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
unknown1981-05-15Acquired
Leadership Team
R
Robert May
Chief Financial Officer
B
Bryan Ross
COO
Recent News
2025-11-19
Company data provided by crunchbase