Principal Mechanical Engineer

Hanwha Energy USA; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Hanwha Energy USA in Houston is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead the mechanical strategy and lifecycle performance for utility-scale gas-fired power plants. You will serve as the owner-side technical authority across development, EPC, commissioning, and operations.

The role requires deep expertise in rotating equipment, HRSGs, balance-of-plant systems, and long‑term reliability, with strong cross‑functional leadership and collaboration with EPCs, OEMs, and executives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• 10+ years in power plant mechanical engineering, EPC, OEM, or owner-side roles.
• Proven experience with gas turbines and/or gas engines.
• Discipline lead or technical authority preferred.
• Strong understanding of rotating equipment, HRSGs, and BOP.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Define mechanical design philosophy for gas-fired plants across SCGT/CCGT and engines.
• Serve as final technical decision-maker for mechanical systems and lifecycle issues.
• Lead plant-level system engineering and cycle analyses.
• Coordinate with EPCs, OEMs, and owner’s engineers (OE).
• Drive reliability, availability, and lifecycle cost optimization.

Skills

Discipline leadership

Executive communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Project governance

Technical authority

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Hanwha Energy USA, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is part of the Hanwha Group—a FORTUNE Global 300 company and one of South Korea’s most respected business enterprises. With over a decade of experience delivering high-quality, utility-scale energy projects across North America, Hanwha Energy USA has evolved into a comprehensive energy solutions provider. Our portfolio now spans utility-scale renewables, natural gas generation, retail electricity, and strategic partnerships that power America’s growing data center industry.

Our expertise covers the entire energy value chain—from project development and engineering to construction, operations, and maintenance. By integrating advanced technologies, proven processes, and strong partnerships, we deliver reliable, customized solutions that meet the dynamic needs of local energy markets.

Hanwha Energy USA is actively advancing strategic initiatives in natural gas generation and data center development, including hyperscaler solutions on both sides of the meter. We are proud to serve as the parent company of:

• Hanwha Renewables – specializing in utility-scale solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS)
• Chariot Energy – providing retail electricity services for residential, commercial, and industrial customers in deregulated markets

Position Overview

The Principal Mechanical Engineer is accountable for the overall mechanical engineering strategy, technical governance, and lifecycle performance of utility-scale gas-fired power plants, including gas turbine– and gas reciprocating engine–based generation facilities. This role serves as the owner-side mechanical authority across the full project lifecycle—from early development and Pre‑FEED through EPC execution, commissioning, and operations.

The principal defines mechanical design philosophy with emphasis on heavy civil/structural, governs EPC and OEM designs, and ensures plant reliability, availability, and long‑term operability, particularly for high‑duty and mission‑critical applications such as data center‑driven power supply.

This position requires a blend of high‑level technical expertise with a general understanding of commercial aspects, regulatory awareness, and cross‑functional coordination to bring utility scale power projects to life. The employee may be required to perform other job‑related duties as requested by management. All duties will be assigned in accordance with applicable laws and company policies.

Responsibilities

Mechanical Engineering Technical Authority (Owner‑Side)

• Establish and own the overall mechanical engineering philosophy for gas‑fired power plants (SCGT, CCGT, and reciprocating gas engine).
• Act as the final technical decision‑maker for mechanical system design, equipment selection, and lifecycle‑related issues.
• Rotating equipment and balance‑of‑plant (BOP) systems.
• Redundancy, sparing philosophy, and maintainability.
• Design margins, derating, and availability targets.

Plant System Engineering Design (Owner‑Side)

• Lead plant‑level system and process engineering for gas‑fired power plant projects from concept through execution.
• Develop and review key system design deliverables, including:
  • Fuel Gas System configuration and pressure/flow control philosophy.
  • Heat & Material Balance diagrams.
  • Water Balance Diagrams for various operating scenarios.
• Perform and validate cycle analysis for SCGT, CCGT, and gas engine plants, including:
  • Plant efficiency, heat rate, and auxiliary power assessment.
  • Impact of ambient conditions, part‑load operation, and degradation.
• Define overall plant configuration and operating concept based on system‑level trade‑off studies.
• Ensure consistency between system design assumptions and detailed mechanical/BOP design.
• Provide technical leadership for gas turbines and gas engines, including:
  • Performance, efficiency, and degradation assumptions.
  • Operating envelopes and dispatch flexibility.
  • Maintenance strategies and long‑term service considerations.
• Govern selection and integration of:
  • Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSGs).
  • Steam turbines (where applicable).
  • Compressors, pumps, fans, and major auxiliaries.

Balance of Plant (BOP) & Thermal Systems

• Own mechanical scope for plant BOP systems, including:
  • Fuel gas systems.
  • Cooling systems (air‑cooled, water‑cooled, hybrid).
  • Lube oil, seal oil, and auxiliary fluid systems.
  • Compressed air and utility systems.
  • Below ground and above ground piping.
• Ensure thermal and mechanical designs support:
  • High ambient operation.
  • Frequent start‑stop and load‑following duty.
  • Long‑term reliability and maintainability.
• Heavy Civil/Structural design and construction support:
  • Heavy industrial concrete foundations.
  • Steel structures.
  • Earthwork and Soil stabilization.
• Lead engagement with:
  • EPC contractors.
  • OEMs (GT, engine, HRSG, major equipment suppliers).
  • Owner’s Engineers (OE).
• Review, challenge, and approve key deliverables, including:
  • Mechanical & piping design criteria and specifications.
  • Equipment datasheets and technical bids.
  • P&IDs, layouts, and equipment arrangements.
  • Stress, vibration, and fatigue‑related analyses.
  • Civil structures, foundations & earthwork.
• Ensure EPC and OEM designs align with owner objectives for reliability, operability, and lifecycle cost.
• Provide mechanical engineering leadership during:
  • Pre‑FEED and FEED decision gates.
  • Project acquisitions and technical due diligence.
• Identify mechanical‑system‑related risks affecting:
  • Availability and forced outage rates.
  • CAPEX and OPEX.
  • Schedule, constructability, and commissioning.
• Support mitigation strategies and owner positions in commercial and technical negotiations.

Plant Performance, Availability & Lifecycle Optimization

• Ensure mechanical systems support high availability targets (e.g., 99.9%+ where applicable).
• Oversee evaluation of:
  • Mechanical bottlenecks and single points of failure.
  • Maintenance intervals and outage strategies.
  • Spare parts philosophy and long‑lead items.
• Drive continuous improvement of plant design based on operating experience.
• Define long‑term mechanical strategy to support:
  • Future SCGT → CCGT conversion.
  • Carbon capture readiness (where applicable).
• Evaluate emerging technologies and equipment from an owner’s perspective, balancing innovation with bankability.

Leadership & Cross‑Functional Alignment

• Provide technical direction and mentorship to senior and staff‑level mechanical engineers.
• Coordinate closely with:
  • Electrical and Controls engineering leadership.
  • Development, commercial, environmental, regulatory and operations teams.
• Translate complex mechanical issues into clear, actionable recommendations for executive leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, or Industrial Engineering.
• 10+ years of experience in power plant mechanical engineering, EPC, OEM, or owner‑side roles.
• Proven experience with gas turbine and/or gas engine power plants.
• Demonstrated experience acting as a discipline lead or technical authority is strongly preferred.
• Deep expertise in:
  • Rotating equipment and thermal systems.
  • Gas turbines, gas engines, and HRSGs.
  • Balance‑of‑plant mechanical systems.
• Strong understanding of:
  • High‑temperature, high‑cycle duty operation.
  • Mechanical reliability, fatigue, and vibration.
  • Plant availability and lifecycle cost drivers.
• Familiarity with applicable standards (ASME, API, ISO, OEM standards).
• Ability to set mechanical engineering direction and enforce standards across multiple projects.
• Strong engineering judgement balancing reliability, cost, schedule, and risk.
• Confident communicator with EPCs, OEMs, and executive stakeholders.
• Experience supporting data center power supply projects or other high‑availability applications.
• Exposure to engine‑based generation or hybrid plant configurations.
• Experience with heavy civil/structural & piping design and construction.
• Experience with hydrogen‑ready or low‑carbon power technologies.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.

Hanwha Energy USA provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.