Senior Application Engineer

IF1855 GE Energy Power Conversion USA Inc.; Findlay Township (PA); On-site; USD 109,000 - 181,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company matching

Employee Assistance Program

Health Coach access

Tuition assistance

Adoption assistance

Paid parental leave

Disability benefits

Life insurance

12 paid holidays

Job summary

GE Vernova is seeking a Senior Application Engineer to lead technical bid management and cost estimation for large‑scale EPC tenders involving VFD systems, STATCOM and synchronous condenser technologies. You will design integrated solutions, assess risks, and justify costs throughout the tender lifecycle.

You will coordinate with sales, OEMs and suppliers to ensure compliant, competitive and technically sound proposals, while travelling up to 30% for site surveys and customer meetings as

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience.
• Experience in project/application engineering for high-power electrical equipment.
• Strong knowledge of power electronics, grid codes and international standards.
• Experience with large-scale EPC tenders and extended BOP scope.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and P&IDs and extrapolate costing.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical bid management and cost estimation for complex tenders.
• Conduct detailed site surveys and translate data to cost implications.
• Develop system architectures for VFD/STATCOM/condenser integration.
• Define requirements, interfaces, control logic, and protection schemes.
• Collaborate with sales to define technical scope and risks.
• Interface with OEMs and sub-suppliers for tender data.
• Identify and mitigate technical and cost risks during tender phase.
• Present solutions to customers and stakeholders with robust justifications.
• Contribute to standards and best practices for tender estimation.

Skills

Power electronics

Cost estimation

Tender support

System integration

Technical presentation

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering

Master’s degree (desired)

Job description

Job Summary

We're seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Application Engineer with a strong background in technical solution design, system integration, and precise cost estimation for large‑scale EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) and extended BOP (Balance of Plant) scopes related to VFD systems/STATCOM/Synchronous condenser technologies. This role is pivotal in ensuring the successful technical and commercial positioning of our offerings during complex tenders. You'll be a key technical expert, responsible for developing optimal integrated solutions, assessing technical risks, and generating competitive and accurate costing and technical proposals. Your expertise will directly influence our competitiveness and success in winning high‑value tenders by providing robust technical and financial justifications.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Bid Management & Cost Estimation Leadership: Lead the technical review and response for complex VFD systems/STATCOM/Synchronous condenser tenders, ensuring proposed solutions are technically sound, compliant with specifications, risk mitigated and competitively costed. This includes preparing comprehensive and detailed technical cost estimates for our entire scope, factoring in equipment, site‑specific requirements, materials, labor, and contingencies.

Site Survey & Assessment for Estimation: Conduct detailed site surveys (remotely or physically, as required) to understand existing infrastructure, identify potential integration challenges, and gather critical data for system design and accurate cost estimation. Translate site conditions and unique project constraints into precise cost implications.

System Architecture & Value Engineering: Develop comprehensive system architectures for VFD systems/STATCOM/Synchronous condenser integration, considering the entire balance of plant, grid codes, control philosophies, and relevant industry standards. Proactively apply value engineering principles to optimize technical solutions for cost‑effectiveness without compromising performance or tender compliance.

Requirements Definition & Interface Management with Costing Input: Translate customer functional and technical requirements from tenders into detailed system designs and specifications, including interfaces, control logic, protection schemes, and communication protocols. Provide precise costing input for all required interfaces, integration components, and third‑party equipment.

Technical-Commercial Interface & Scope Definition: Collaborate closely with sales and commercial teams to clearly define the technical scope, identify technical risks, and support commercial negotiations by providing robust technical justifications and detailed, accurate overall solution cost estimations.

Interfacing with OEMs & Sub‑suppliers for Tender Development: Define and manage technical interfaces with other OEMs (e.g., transformers, switchgear, control systems, generators) and sub‑suppliers. Actively solicit technical data and cost inputs from potential sub‑suppliers to incorporate into tender proposals.

Technical & Cost Risk Assessment & Mitigation: Proactively identify potential technical, logistical, and cost‑related risks associated with integrated solutions and propose effective mitigation strategies during the tender phase.

Technical Presentations & Customer Interaction: Present complex technical solutions clearly and effectively to customers, consultants, and internal stakeholders, addressing their concerns and building strong technical relationships throughout the tender process, including comprehensive justification of technical choices and their impact on cost.

Standardization & Best Practices: Contribute to the development and improvement of internal technical standards, tools, and best practices for VFD systems/STATCOM/Synchronous condenser systems integration and estimation, incorporating lessons learned from successful tender outcomes.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college

Minimum 10 years of experience relevant to the role

Experience in project engineering or application engineering or technical sales support for high‑power electrical equipment, with a strong focus on VFD systems/STATCOM/Synchronous condenser

In‑depth knowledge of power electronics, power system dynamics, grid codes, and international standards relevant to VFD systems/STATCOM/Synchronous condenser applications

Proven experience working on large‑scale EPC tenders and a deep understanding of the extended Balance of Plant (BOP) scope in power plants, renewable energy, or heavy industrial facilities, with a practical understanding of how site constraints and procedures impact overall project cost

Strong understanding of control systems, communication protocols and network architectures

Demonstrated ability to read and interpret complex electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, and P&IDs, and accurately extrapolate costing information

Proven experience with cost estimation methodologies, quotation preparation, and supporting technical‑commercial negotiations for complex electrical systems

Excellent problem‑solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills, especially in developing innovative, cost‑effective solutions for tender responses

Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment

Strong communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills

Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 30% of time as required for site surveys, customer meetings, and internal meetings

Desired Qualifications

Master’s degree

P.Eng. or equivalent professional engineering license

Compensation & Benefits

Pay range: $108,600.00 – $181,000.00 (U.S. based position). The Company pays a geographic differential of 110%, 120% or 130% of salary in certain areas. Bonus eligibility: discretionary annual bonus.

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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).