Principal Engineer – Tower Shells

Jobtailor; United States; On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking an experienced Structural Engineer to lead wind turbine tower design, focusing on shell optimization, weld specifications, and flange connections. You will manage non-linear FEA models for gust, seismic, and fatigue scenarios and serve as the technical signatory for design packages.

You will lead formal design reviews, collaborate across Loads and Control teams to optimize frequency response, and drive safety-critical RCA activities.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited university
• 15 years of professional experience in structural engineering
• 7+ years focused on wind turbine towers or large tubular steel structures
• Proficiency in non-linear FEA tools (Ansys/Abaqus) and validation of analytical codes
• Deep understanding of buckling criteria (EN 1993-1-6) and fatigue damage accumulation
• Experience designing critical joints (bolted L-flange and T-flange)
• Leadership in full RCA efforts and safety-review processes
• Ability to translate complex structural data into actionable decisions for leadership and cross-functional teams
• Legally authorized to work in the United States
• Drug screen completion, as applicable

Responsibilities

• Lead design development of tower shell sections, optimizing plate thickness and weld specs
• Oversee detailed structural models for wind loads, gusts, seismic, and fatigue
• Serve as final technical signatory for tower design packages
• Preside over formal design reviews
• Collaborate with Loads and Control to optimize frequency response and load paths
• Lead safety-critical case reviews and root-cause investigations
• Manage corrective and preventive actions
• Maintain knowledge of IEC 61400-series, DNV-ST-0126, and Eurocodes
• Engage with external certification bodies for Type Certification
• Mentor engineers and perform peer design reviews

Skills

Structural Design

Non-Linear FEA

Fatigue Analysis

Root Cause Analysis

Technical Signatory

Mentoring Talent

Education

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Ansys

Abaqus

Job description

• Lead the design development of tower shell sections, including plate thickness optimization, weld specifications, and flange design


• Oversee detailed structural models for extreme gust, seismic, and fatigue loading conditions


• Serve as final technical signatory for tower structural design packages


• Conduct and preside over formal design reviews


• Partner with Loads and Control departments to optimize structural frequency response and load-path transmission


• Lead and facilitate Safer or equivalent safety-critical case reviews


• Assess failure modes, safety margins, and design mitigations


• Lead root cause analysis investigations for field failures or structural anomalies


• Use forensic engineering and data analysis to identify structural root causes


• Oversee corrective and preventive actions


• Maintain expertise in IEC 61400-series, DNV-ST-0126, and Eurocodes


• Manage technical relationships with external certification bodies for Type Certification and project-specific compliance


• Mentor engineering talent, perform peer reviews, and maintain engineering design rules and best practices

Requirements

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited university or college


• Minimum 15 years of professional experience in structural engineering


• Minimum 7 years specifically focused on wind turbine towers or large-scale tubular steel structures


• Proficiency in non-linear FEA tools, such as Ansys or Abaqus, and analytical code validation


• Deep understanding of buckling criteria (EN 1993-1-6) and fatigue damage accumulation


• Demonstrated experience designing critical joints, including bolted L-flange and T-flange connections


• Demonstrated history leading complex RCA efforts and managing structural risk through formal safety review processes


• Ability to distill highly complex structural data into actionable engineering decisions for leadership and cross-functional teams


• Legally authorized to work in the United States


• Successful completion of a drug screen, as applicable

Core Competencies

Demonstrates extensive expertise in structural engineering with a focus on wind turbine towers, including proficiency in non-linear FEA tools and a deep understanding of safety-critical design processes. Capable of leading complex root cause analysis and managing technical relationships with certification bodies to ensure compliance.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Master's Degree In Mechanical Engineering


• 15 Years Of Professional Experience In Structural Engineering


• 7 Years Focused On Wind Turbine Towers


• Proficiency In Non-Linear FEA Tools


• Expertise In IEC 61400-Series And Eurocodes

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Structural Design


• Non-Linear FEA


• Analytical Code Validation


• Buckling Criteria Understanding


• Fatigue Damage Accumulation


• Designing Critical Joints


• Root Cause Analysis


• Safety Review Processes


• Data Analysis


• Technical Signatory

Soft Skills

• Mentoring Engineering Talent


• Collaboration With Cross-Functional Teams


• Communication Of Complex Data

Certifications & Qualifications

• Type Certification

Industry Keywords

• Wind Turbine Towers


• Large-Scale Tubular Steel Structures


• IEC 61400-Series


• DNV-ST-0126


• Eurocodes

Tools & Technologies

• Ansys


• Abaqus