Gas Turbine Structures Engineer

Gas Turbine Structures Engineer

About PROENERGY

PROENERGY is a global and vertically integrated energy transition platform. Focused exclusively on fast-start, dispatchable power, our company supports both energy security and renewable growth with complete turbine services, project development, equipment manufacturing, turnkey generation facilities, operations, and maintenance.

Our Footprint

We are primed for the Energy Transition with permanent service locations in Missouri, Texas, and Argentina. Our world-class Missouri headquarters is purpose-built to meet peaking-power needs. It sits on 90 acres in Sedalia and features more than 900,000 sq. ft of facilities and equipment, including the only independent Level-IV aeroderivative depot in North America and a hydrogen-ready string-test facility that enables full-speed, full-load testing. Our Houston, Texas, office is a strategic satellite positioned near our own peaking-power installations.

Our Philosophy

We take care of our people and strive to make a positive difference for the world. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits that include Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life/Disability Insurance at minimal cost to the employee, 10 paid holidays, paid time off and a 401K plan. If you are looking for a rewarding career and possess the specialized knowledge and quality-oriented problem-solving skills, we encourage you to apply today.

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled Gas Turbine Structures Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for the design, analysis, and optimization of the casing and frame components of gas turbines. These components are critical to the structural integrity and operational stability of the turbine system, providing essential support for rotating parts and housing various internal systems. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that these components meet performance, safety, and durability requirements under extreme operational conditions.

Reports To: Director Engineering

Work Location: 2001 Proenergy Blvd, Sedalia, MO 65301 or 6401 North Eldridge Pkwy, Houston, TX 77041

Position Responsibilities

- Component owner and optimize casing and frame components for gas turbines, including casing structures, support frames, brackets, and external housings.

- Ensure designs meet structural, thermal, and vibration performance criteria while adhering to safety, reliability, and maintenance requirements.

- Develop design specifications, including materials, tolerances, and manufacturing processes to support the production and assembly of gas turbine casing and frame components.

- Perform structural analysis (e.g., stress, strain, fatigue, life) to ensure gas turbine casing and frame can withstand operational loads, including centrifugal forces, thermal gradients, and mechanical stresses.

- Conduct thermal analysis to evaluate temperature distribution and thermal expansion, ensuring the casing and frame components maintain their structural integrity in high-temperature environments.

- Analyze and optimize the casing’s ability to withstand vibration, shock, and dynamic loading, preventing resonant frequencies and ensuring stable operation.

- Collaborate with materials engineers to select suitable high-strength, heat-resistant materials for casing and frame components, ensuring compatibility with turbine operating conditions.

- Consider material properties such as strength, fatigue resistance, and thermal conductivity in the selection process.

- Incorporate thermal coatings or protective finishes to enhance the durability of casing and frame components.

- Work closely with other gas turbine component owners: rotating equipment, cooling system, airfoils and combustion engineers to ensure that the casing and frame components are well-integrated with the overall gas turbine design.

- Design interfaces for mounting and supporting turbine rotors, shafts, bearings, and other critical components, ensuring proper alignment and minimizing wear and vibration.

- Collaborate with manufacturing teams to ensure the casing and frame designs are manufacturable and cost-effective, considering factors such as material availability, tolerances, and fabrication methods.

- Provide design inputs for assembly processes to ensure ease of assembly and minimize risks during manufacturing and turbine assembly.

- Support the development and execution of test plans for casing and frame components, including structural, thermal, and vibration testing.

- Review test results to validate the performance and durability of casing and frame designs, making design adjustments as needed.

- Investigate field failures or performance issues related to casing and frame components and identify root causes.

- Propose design improvements based on test data, operational experience, or failure analysis to enhance the overall performance and reliability of gas turbines.

- Prepare detailed design documentation, including CAD models, technical drawings, analysis reports, and material specifications.

- Provide regular updates on project status, design changes, and technical findings to stakeholders.

- Stay current with the latest technologies and best practices in casing and frame design, including new materials, manufacturing techniques, and design optimization tools.

- Proactively identify opportunities to improve designs and contribute to the development of innovative solutions for gas turbine components.

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field. Advanced degrees (Master’s or Ph.D.) are preferred.

- Minimum 5-7 years of experience in casing, frame, or structural design for gas turbines or similar high-performance mechanical systems.

- Hands-on experience with the design of turbine casings, frames, and structural components subject to high temperatures, mechanical stresses, and dynamic loads.

- Experience with thermal, structural, and vibration analysis for large mechanical components.

- Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., Creo, SolidWorks) for component design and modeling.

- Experience with finite element analysis (FEA) tools (e.g., ANSYS,) and hand calculation for structural, thermal, and vibration analysis.

- Knowledge of high-temperature materials, coatings, and welding techniques used in gas turbine casing and frame components.

- In-depth knowledge with drawing GT&D in alignment with manufacture and repair of gas turbine casing and frame.

- Familiarity with gas turbine performance, aerodynamic principles, and material selection for gas turbine systems.

- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to develop innovative design solutions.

- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.

- Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.

- Detail-oriented, with the ability to balance the need for performance, manufacturability, and cost.

- Familiarity with ISO standards, ASME, or aerospace-specific regulations (e.g., AMS, ASTM) is highly desirable.

- US work authorization is a precondition of employment. The company will not consider candidates who require sponsorship for a work-authorized visa.

- Successful candidate will need to satisfactorily complete pre-employment drug screen and background check

It is PROENERGY’s policy to provide equal opportunity in employment to all its employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, national origin, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, military status, or any other characteristic protected by State or Federal law.