Mechanical, Software and Lifing Lead in Bracknell

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc. When you join Caterpillar, you are 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.

The Condition Based Engineering (CBE) team is responsible within Solar Turbines for developing and deploying Digital Twins of our existing gas turbines fleet. As a Mechanical Software and Lifing lead in the Condition Based Engineering team you will solve real world engineering problems and help pioneer the development of engine prediction capabilities for our fleet of gas turbines.

Our digital twins combine engine data, reduced order physics models and machine learning to predict and optimize the life of critical gas turbine components subjected to real world operation. This allows Solar to support customers directly through aftermarket services, equipment life extension and risk management.

To support this growing initiative, the organization is looking for a lead engineer with a mechanical engineering background and an aptitude for software and automation. This individual will thrive on leading a team to develop innovative solutions to enhance the predictive capabilities of our existing models and tools.

This position focuses on the development and maintenance of methods and tools used for complex, high value, turbomachinery components and supporting systems. This role provides opportunities to learn and apply concepts of lifing and probabilistic analysis as well as coding architecture and machine learning.

• Simulation: Develop models and tools to simulate gas turbine hardware such as blades, disks and nozzles, accounting for key degradation mechanisms. The role will also include modelling of adjacent systems such as cost, sales, and manufacturing operations.
• Software development: Develop and maintain backend software in support of our digital twins and their wider application both internally for analysts and externally for customers.
• Leadership: Experience leading projects and small teams to deliver engineering tools and models and interfacing with other development teams on multiteam software projects.
• Initiative: Propose, promote, and act on your own initiatives and ideas to drive progress and innovation, seeking out opportunities for personal development and the development of our technologies.
• Engagement: Be highly engaged in collaborative problem solving applying your background to push quick resolutions and long-term innovation. Help find opportunities for improvement and implement solutions.
• Team Participation: Actively utilize your engineering and analytical skills as a member of our international, multidisciplinary team.

Educational Background: Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related subject (e.g. Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Materials, Mechatronics) and 7+ years experience applying your knowledge to solve real world problems.

Coding Experience: Experience using software tools (C#, C++, Python) to process large datasets and automate complex engineering tasks to improve accuracy, efficiency and quality of models.

Component Lifing Experience: Understanding of lifing approaches used for mechanical equipment and systems in safety critical industries such as power, aerospace or nuclear that account for fatigue, creep and other degradation mechanisms.

Effective Communications: Good verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interface with engineers from various disciplines and backgrounds.

Manage Multiple Priorities: Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects making effective judgments on time allocation, priorities and the required quality of the work to ensure projects are completed with efficiency and thoroughness.

Problem Solving: Complex problems require people who can solve problems and not just follow instructions. You will have the ability to innovate and provide pragmatic solutions when the right path is unclear.

Technical Excellence in Gas Turbines: Thorough understanding of gas turbine fundamentals including the underlying physics of component degradation and how this can be accounted for in lifing calculations across a fleet of gas turbines. This may be gained from working with a gas turbine OEM or partner organization.

Big Picture Thinking: You will have experience solving challenging problems, but in a pragmatic way that can provide value for our internal and external customers.

Educational Background: Masters or higher degree with a specialty in gas turbines.

Starting pay for this position is from £78k annual base salary.

This position requires working onsite five days a week. Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply. Solar’s foundation is people and Solar’s culture is one where individual contributions are valued, diversity in the workplace is encouraged, and safety is emphasized in all aspects of the business. Solar Turbines is comprised of a dedicated and multi-talented workforce of more than 9,000 employees with decades of experience working as a global team.