Lead Engineer - Thermal Dynamics

LS3002 GE Vernova Operations LLC; South Carolina; On-site; USD 89,000 - 149,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Tuition assistance

Paid holidays and time off

Disability and life insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

GE Vernova seeks a Lead Engineer – Thermal Dynamics to drive heat transfer, secondary flow, and thermal analyses for turbomachinery hardware across gas and steam turbine products. The role emphasizes ownership from concept through design reviews, with Lean-driven process improvements and global collaboration.

You will apply advanced methods, automation, and scripting to improve designs, working within NPI/NTI programs and providing rigorous documentation for design reviews and product support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in heat transfer, fluid mechanics, or thermal analysis and design for turbomachinery.

Responsibilities

• Independently execute heat transfer, secondary flow, CFD, thermal analysis and design activities for turbomachinery components across gas turbine and steam turbine products.
• Develop deep technical expertise in thermal design and apply it to design challenges with minimal oversight.
• Document data, results, and conclusions with clear technical reasoning and actionable recommendations.

Skills

Heat transfer

CFD

Thermal analysis

Python scripting

AI/ML in engineering

Lean principles

Analytical judgment

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

ANSYS Thermal

HyperWorks

CFX

ICEM CFD

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Lead Engineer – Thermal Dynamics in the Aero-Thermal & Clearances Design (ATCD) team will execute thermal design and analysis activities for turbomachinery hardware and architectures within our gas power portfolio, in support of the full product life cycle, including New Product Introduction (NPI), New Technology Introduction (NTI), test & validation, and fielded product support. This role requires technical expertise in heat transfer, secondary flow systems, and thermal analysis, along with strong analytical judgment and the ability to own work from concept through design review and final documentation with minimal oversight. The successful candidate will work closely with cross-functional global teams to deliver timely, accurate, and high-quality outcomes while driving continuous improvement through Lean principles, innovation, and advanced analytical methods.

What impact you’ll make:

Roles and Responsibilities

• Independently execute heat transfer, secondary flow, CFD, thermal analysis and design activities for flange-to-flange stationary and rotating components across gas turbine and steam turbine products, applying sound engineering principles and adhering to business standards, design practices, procedures, and product requirements.
• Develop deep technical expertise in the thermal design of turbomachinery components and apply that expertise to independently solve design and analysis challenges with strong technical judgment and urgency.
• Execute design and analysis work across conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design phases for NPI, NTI, and product support programs, while developing increased autonomy and ownership with minimal oversight.
• Build, assess, and improve thermal analysis models; independently interpret results; and prepare design review materials with clear conclusions, technical rationale, and actionable recommendations.
• Apply sound engineering judgment to evaluate design trade-offs, identify risks, and propose solutions beyond established methods and parameters when appropriate.
• Contribute to design improvement initiatives, technical problem-solving, and root cause analysis related to thermal performance, heat transfer, and secondary flow systems.
• Identify and evaluate design-to-cost opportunities across engine hardware, balancing performance, durability, and manufacturing cost implications in partnership with Mechanical, Services, and Systems Engineering teams.
• Collaborate effectively with global cross‑functional teams, including mechanical, aerodynamic, performance, and clearance engineering teams, throughout the design process to deliver integrated, high‑quality design solutions.
• Demonstrate innovation in thermal design practices and analysis methodologies, including the use of probabilistic methods, digital tools, automation, and AI/ML techniques where relevant to improve product and process outcomes.
• Apply Lean principles in daily execution, improve standard work, and contribute to engineering templates, best practices, and process improvements that reduce rework and improve quality.
• Document technical data, analysis outputs, assumptions, and conclusions in accordance with engineering design templates and established design practices.
• Ensure complete, accurate, and traceable documentation and model management for assigned projects.

What you’ll bring:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or comparable engineering field from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in heat transfer, fluid mechanics, or thermal analysis and design for turbomachinery, or comparable.

Eligibility Requirements: This role is restricted to U.S. persons (i.e., U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and other protected individuals under the Immigration and Naturalization Act, 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)) due to access to export‑controlled technology. GE will require proof of status prior to employment.

Travel: Up to 10% within the U.S.

Desired Characteristics

• 1 to 2 years of additional relevant experience or advanced degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or comparable engineering field, with specialization in Thermal Science, Thermal and Fluid Engineering, Heat Transfer, or a related field, with a strong academic record.
• Demonstrated experience in thermal design and analysis of turbomachinery components, including heat transfer and secondary flow systems.
• Experience with engineering tools such as ANSYS Thermal, HyperWorks, CFX, ICEM CFD, or equivalent analysis platforms.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and project execution skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate technical conclusions and recommendations.
• Ability to work effectively in a global matrix organization with a positive “can do” attitude.
• Strong customer and product mindset, with a focus on quality, operability, and timely execution.
• Demonstrated mindset of ownership and accountability to achieve goals.
• Experience architecting solutions utilizing programming and scripting in languages such as Python, Fortran, Visual Basic, or Java for engineering automation and analysis efficiency.
• Ability to evaluate and select AI/ML strategies for long‑term design system improvement.
• Practitioner of Lean tools to identify, evaluate, and implement innovative solutions.

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 Provided: Yes

For candidates applying to a U.S. based position, the pay range for this position is between $89,300.00 and $148,700.00. 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 skillset.

Bonus eligibility: discretionary annual bonus.

Benefits & Perks

• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Access to Health Coach from GE Vernova, a 24/7 nurse-based resource.
• 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 companyretirement 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.

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