Sr Principal Structural Engineer at Solarturbines — Houston, TX

Career Area:

Engineering

Job Description

Solar Turbines, a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. is looking for qualified Structural Engineer to provide Balance-of-Plant [BOP] Engineering and Design for projects utilizing Solar’s family of industrial gas turbines.

• This position is intended as an experienced engineering position for candidates with a minimum of 10 years oil & gas industry experience.
• Primary role is to fulfill the structural engineering needs for prefabricated modular products for oil & gas facilities engineering in the support of sales and execution for Solar Turbines products.
• Structural engineer will be responsible for the civil/structural engineering for balance of plant design of oil & gas projects utilizing gas turbine compressor sets & generators. Typical projects 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.
• Provide design/analysis of structural steel projects and proposals to assure that the design meets customer specifications, Solar specifications and industry codes and standards.
• Provide mentorship to junior engineers.
• Assist in meetings necessary to support the lift and transportation (onshore/offshore) of large equipment.
• 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.
• Work with other disciplines (mechanical, piping, instrumentation, and electrical) to develop efficient structural designs

What you will have:

• Minimum of Bachelor of Science Degree in Structural Engineering
• Master of Science Degree in Structural engineering is a plus
• Professional Engineering License in the State of Texas is required, other states are a plus.
• Applicant’s background should include familiarity with ASTM, ACI, CRSI, ASCE, OSHA, IBC, & AWS.
• Specialty codes:
• PIP – required.
• ASCE “Wind Loads for Petrochemical and Other Industrial Facilities - required.
• API 2A, NFPA. - Desirable.
• Codes used internationally (codes from other countries) – Desirable
• Ability to work in the United States and able to travel internationally. Current US passport is preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency in problem solving and troubleshooting.
• 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.
• Experience with industry standard software and structural analysis software - STAAD Pro, RAMconnect, MathCAD.
• 6-Sigma background is a plus.
• Experience with working with a fabrication yard or facility is a plus.
• Basic knowledge of mechanical equipment (turbines, compressors, generators, etc.) is a plus

PROBLEM COMPLEXITY:

Assignments cover a variety of structural design problems related to facilities engineering. Must be able to perform detailed analysis and calculations required and document results. Projects range from 1 to 18 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 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.
• Reviews engineered products (calculations, drawings, reports, specifications for soundness of technical judgment and overall adequacy and accuracy.
• Initiates and recommends design changes as required.
• Initiates and recommends departmental process changes as required.

What you will do

• Develop structural designs for offshore Single Lift Modules, Modular Building Products, development of civil and foundation designs for land-based compression and power generation equipment, structural skid design for skidded/modular process equipment, preparing project cost estimates, and support of construction activities.
• Produce Structural Analysis and Design Reports for Modular Building Solutions including connection details and foundation interface loads.
• Actively contribute to the development of project drawings such as Structural Arrangements & Details, Foundation Designs, Civil design, etc.
• Actively participate in the preparation and monitoring of project schedule
• Produce designs and specifications for structural/civil components as found commonly in the oil & gas environment.
• Participate in project design reviews, marine surveys, and various other departmental meetings involving structural issues.
• Interface with suppliers during the definition of equipment scope and throughout project execution
• Assist in the development of documents required for onshore and offshore transportation of large equipment.
• 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.
• Recommend design changes affecting areas of direct responsibility
• Prepare proposal manhours and cost estimates and keep track of the manhours and equipment cost during project execution.
• Meets customer and company expectations for a quality product
• Provides technical expertise on assigned projects
• Identifies cost reduction opportunities for Solar’s activities
• Assists in the development of departmental standards, specifications, tools, processes, and equipment.
• Resolves complex structural problems as they arise.
• Ensures project deliverables (documents and equipment) are delivered on time

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 per schedule, thus contributing to organizational effectiveness

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS:

• Ability to read/write in technical Spanish is a plus, not required.
• Minimum of Bachelor of Science Degree in Structural Engineering.
• Professional Engineering License in the State of Texas required
• Specialty codes:
• PIP – required.
• Ability to work in the United States and able to travel internationally.
• Current US passport is preferred.

What will set you apart:

• Professional Engineering License in other states is a plus.
• Ability to read/write in technical Spanish is a plus.
• 6-Sigma background is a plus.
• Experience with working with a fabrication yard or facility is a strong plus.
• Specialty codes:
• API 2A, NFPA. - Desirable.

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Summary Pay Range:

$128,470.00 - $192,710.00

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

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Posting Dates:

July 23, 2026 - August 5, 2026