Principal Mechanical Engineer

Brightsmith; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Brightsmith is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer for Gas Power & Nuclear Development in Houston. Hybrid role: 3 days in office, with potential in Washington, D.C.

You will lead the gas generation bridge as technical authority, guiding FEED, design reviews, and EPC/OEM deliverables, and you will oversee commissioning through startup. You will bring 12+ years in gas power with full lifecycle project experience, strong turbine and plant systems knowledge, and the ability to manage

Qualifications

• 12+ years in simple-cycle or combined-cycle gas power generation.
• Full lifecycle project experience from FEED through startup.
• Strong grounding in combustion turbines, heat recovery, BOP and rotating equipment.
• Plant performance modelling experience with relevant tools.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage EPCs/OEMs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical authority for the gas generation bridge.
• Lead FEED and design reviews; approve deliverables from EPCs, OEMs, consultants.
• Run equipment evaluations; support construction through commissioning and startup.
• Translate technical decisions into schedule, cost and risk insights for the business.

Skills

Gas power generation

Project leadership

FEED & design reviews

EPC/OEM coordination

Plant performance modelling

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Startup/commissioning

Education

Mechanical or chemical engineering degree

Tools

THERMOFLEX

GateCycle

GT PRO

Job description

Principal Mechanical Engineer | Gas Power & Nuclear Development

Houston, TX or Washington, D.C. (hybrid, 3 days in office)

Nuclear is being built differently, and we're recruiting for a well-funded, fast-growing developer that's doing it. Their plants pair gas generation with nuclear, so customers get power from day one and switch to nuclear as it comes online. They're building the gas side first, and they need a senior engineer to own it.

The role

You'll be the technical authority for the gas generation bridge, working in the owner's engineering team. That means setting the technical basis, leading FEED and design reviews, and approving deliverables from EPCs, OEMs and consultants. You'll also run equipment evaluations, support construction through to commissioning and startup, and translate technical decisions into schedule, cost and risk for the business. It's hands-on leadership, not a desk role.

What you'll bring

• 12+ years in simple-cycle or combined-cycle gas power generation
• Full-lifecycle project experience, from FEED through to startup and handover
• Strong grounding in combustion turbines, heat recovery, balance of plant and rotating equipment
• Plant performance modelling (THERMOFLEX, GateCycle, GT PRO or similar)
• A track record of leading multidisciplinary teams and managing EPCs and OEMs
• A degree in mechanical or chemical engineering (or similar)
• Authorization to work in the US without sponsorship
• PE license
• Startup, first-of-a-kind or emerging tech experience (SMRs, nuclear BOP, hydrogen, carbon capture)

Why it's worth a conversation

• Real ownership: you'll be shaping standards and decisions, not inheriting them
• A team that's growing quickly and values people comfortable with ambiguity
• A mission with genuine impact: making new energy faster to build and easier to finance