Lead Engineer - Aerodynamics

LS3002 GE Vernova Operations LLC; United States; On-site; USD 98,000 - 164,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Discretionary annual bonus

Job summary

GE Vernova Advanced Research seeks a Lead Engineer – Aerodynamics to drive R&D for advanced turbomachinery and energy systems. You will lead high-fidelity CFD/LES work, evaluate bold concepts, and guide multi‑disciplinary teams to mature breakthrough technologies.

The role emphasizes collaboration, mentoring, and shaping technology roadmaps, with GE Vernova offering a broad benefits package and a commitment to innovation and decarbonization.

Qualifications

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field with 5+ years of R&D experience.
• 3+ years applying fluid mechanics, aero dynamics and turbomachinery flow physics to energy systems.
• 3+ years using CFD tools including LES in HPC environments.
• 3+ years correlating simulations with test data to validate designs.

Responsibilities

• Lead innovation in aerodynamics and aeromechanics for turbomachinery and energy systems.
• Develop high-fidelity CFD and aeroacoustics simulations using proprietary and commercial tools.
• Evaluate concepts and advance novel components and systems.
• Guide researchers and external collaborators to mature breakthrough technologies.
• Mentor engineers to grow technical capability across the team.
• Shape technology strategy by contributing to roadmaps and capability gaps.
• Draft and lead proposals for internal and external programs.
• Build partnerships with academia, government, and industry to accelerate innovation.

Skills

CFD and aeroacoustics simulations

Leadership & mentorship

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Education

PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CFD software suites

High-Performance Computing

Job description

Job Description Summary

GE Vernova Advanced Research is looking for a Lead Engineer – Aerodynamics to help shape the next generation of industrial turbomachinery and energy systems. In this role, you’ll drive breakthrough R&D from early concept development through advanced modeling and validation, with a focus on aerodynamic performance, operability, aeroacoustics, and flow path innovation. At GE Vernova Advanced Research, innovation meets real-world impact. Our teams are accelerating the future of affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy by tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges in decarbonization, renewables, and electrification.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Lead innovation in aerodynamics and aeromechanics for advanced turbomachinery and energy systems.
• Develop and apply high-fidelity CFD and aeroacoustics simulations using both proprietary and commercial tools.
• Turn bold ideas into reality by evaluating and advancing novel component and system concepts.
• Guide multidisciplinary teams of researchers and external collaborators to mature breakthrough technologies.
• Coach and mentor engineers, helping grow technical talent and strengthen team capability.
• Shape technology strategy by contributing to roadmaps, identifying capability gaps, and building a strong R&D pipeline.
• Write and lead winning proposals for internal and external programs focused on improving component performance and system operability.
• Build partnerships across academia, government, and industry to expand collaboration and accelerate innovation.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline with 5+ years of professional R&D experience in industry, a postdoctoral role at a university, or a national lab.
• 3+ years of professional experience applying first-principles fluid mechanics, advanced aerodynamics, and turbomachinery flow physics to optimize high-performance energy systems.
• 3+ years of experience leveraging commercial and proprietary CFD toolsets, including proficiency in high-fidelity Large Eddy Simulation (LES) approaches and the development of advanced computational methods in high-performance computing (HPC) environments.
• 3+ years of experience investigating, modeling, and providing critical engineering insights into complex physical flow phenomena (such as secondary flows, transition, or turbulence) to influence design and hardware performance.
• 3+ years of demonstrated success in correlating computational simulation results with physical test data to validate design models and improve predictive accuracy for energy systems.

Eligibility Requirements

• Legal authorization to work in the U.S.
• Must be willing to work out of an office located in Niskayuna, NY.
• Due to the nature of the duties of this position, this role requires the individual to be a U.S. Person (i.e., a green card holder or U.S. citizen).

Desired Characteristics

• Ability to develop and apply computational methods including RANS, URANS, and LES
• Experience (3+ years) in multi-stage compressor and/or turbine aerodynamic design and analysis
• Experience (3+ years) in flutter and forced response, coupled cavity acoustics and aero forcing function modeling
• Experience (3+ years) in multiphase flow analysis for steam, ammonia, or supercritical CO₂ systems
• Familiarity with phase-boundary behavior, real-fluid effects, and non-ideal fluid systems
• Demonstrated capabilities in integrating aerodynamic, mechanical, and/or rotor dynamic considerations in early-stage designs
• Ability to develop and apply steady and unsteady aerodynamic methods to evaluate performance and operability challenges in turbomachinery and other energy systems.
• Demonstrated capability in the use of AI and scientific machine learning to automate and accelerate design, computational methods, and workflows.
• Demonstrated research impact through publications, patents, and/or technical presentations.
• Ability to collaborate across research and engineering teams to mature technologies for practical applications.
• Experience developing technical ideas with external customers and a track record of converting ideas into high-impact programs that deliver value to customers.

GE Vernova offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation.

GE Vernova is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

GE Vernova will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening.

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable).

Relocation Assistance

Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes

Salary and Benefits

For candidates applying to a U.S. based position, the pay range for this position is between $98,400.00 and $164,000.00. The Company pays a geographic differential of 110%, 120% or 130% of salary in certain areas. The specific pay offered may be influenced by a variety of factors, including the candidate’s experience, education, and skill set.

Bonus eligibility: discretionary annual bonus.

Available benefits include medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; access to Health Coach from GE Vernova, a 24/7 nurse-based resource; and access to the Employee Assistance Program, providing 24/7 confidential assessment, counseling and referral services.

Retirement benefits include the GE Vernova Retirement Savings Plan, a tax-advantaged 401(k) savings opportunity with company matching contributions and company retirement contributions, as well as access to Fidelity resources and financial planning consultants.

Other benefits include tuition assistance, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, disability benefits, life insurance, 12 paid holidays, and permissive time off.

GE Vernova Inc. or its affiliates (collectively or individually, “GE Vernova”) sponsor certain employee benefit plans or programs GE Vernova reserves the right to terminate, amend, suspend, replace, or modify its benefit plans and programs at any time and for any reason, in its sole discretion. No individual has a vested right to any benefit under a GE Vernova welfare benefit plan or program. This document does not create a contract of employment with any individual.

Mission and Vision

Addressing the climate crisis is an urgent global priority and we take our responsibility seriously. That is our singular mission at GE Vernova: continuing to electrify the world while simultaneously working to help decarbonize it. If we want our energy future to be different…we must be different. Our mission is embedded in our name. We retain our treasured legacy, “GE,” in our name as an enduring and hard-earned badge of quality and ingenuity. “Ver” / “verde” signal Earth’s verdant and lush ecosystems. “Nova,” from the Latin “novus,” nods to a new, innovative era of lower carbon energy that GE Vernova will help deliver. Together, we have The Energy to Change the World. www.gevernova.com