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, 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.

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 Specialty codes:
  • Codes used internationally (codes from other countries) – 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, where the scope in terms of magnitude and complexity, geographic location, multiplicity of internal and external technical and administrative interfaces is such that specific project engineering direction is essential. 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 AND LATITUDE:

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

• 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.

LIAISON:

• 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).

BUSINESS CONTRIBUTION:

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

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• 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.

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 by Solar Turbines

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.

Summary 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

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 or will require sponsorship tied to a specific employer, such as, H, L, TN, F, J, E, O. As a global company, Caterpillar offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S which can be found through our employment website at www.caterpillar.com/careers.

Posting Dates:

January 26, 2026 - February 8, 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.

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