Senior Research Engineer - Controls *TS Clearance Required*

GE Vernova, Inc.; Elgin Township (IL); On-site; USD 113,000 - 189,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes

Job summary

GE Vernova is seeking a senior researcher to advance modeling, control, and optimization across energy systems. You will lead cross-functional teams and contribute to next-generation products used by utilities and grid operators worldwide.

The role blends rigorous research with practical engineering, requiring a doctorate or a master’s with extensive experience, a strong publication record, and proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink plus C/C++/Python.

Qualifications

• PhD or MS with extensive controls/estimation expertise.
• Experience with real-time implementations.
• Strong publication record.
• Experience with industrial control systems cybersecurity.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional research teams and contribute as a senior individual to the development of advanced controls, optimization, estimation, and detection algorithms for GE Vernova's energy businesses.
• Validate solutions through simulation and hands‑on testing on target systems, ensuring performance meets technical and operational requirements.
• Document your work through patent applications, peer‑reviewed publications, and technical reports that advance the field and protect GE Vernova's intellectual property.
• Transfer mature technologies to GE Vernova engineering teams for integration into next‑generation products and services.
• Build and maintain awareness of emerging developments in systems technology, identifying new research directions and application opportunities.
• Collaborate with colleagues across GE Research, GE Vernova business units, and external partners from academia, industry, and government.

Skills

Advanced controls

Optimization

Estimation

Detection algorithms

MATLAB/Simulink

C/C++/Python

Education

PhD in engineering

MS in engineering with 10+ years

Tools

Git/GitHub

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Opportunity

Control systems are at the heart of how energy gets generated, converted, and delivered reliably at scale. In this role, you will advance the modeling, control, and optimization technologies that power GE Vernova's energy portfolio — from renewables and gas power to grid solutions and power conversion. You will work at the intersection of rigorous research and real-world application, developing algorithms and systems that move from the lab into next-generation products used by utilities and grid operators around the world.

This is a senior individual contributor role with team leadership responsibilities, embedded within GE Vernova's research organization and connected to external partners across industry, academia, and U.S. government agencies including the Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of Defense (DOD).

Please note: A Top Secret security clearance is required for this role. Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. GE Vernova is unable to sponsor employment visas for Master's-level candidates for this opening. Due to the nature of data handled at GE Research, candidates who are nationals of embargoed countries subject to restriction under U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR) — currently North Korea, Syria, Iran, and Cuba — cannot be considered, unless they hold U.S. person status under U.S. export control laws or subsequent citizenship from a non-embargoed country. You must be 18 years or older to apply.

Job Description

What You’ll Do

• Lead cross-functional research teams and contribute as a senior individual to the development of advanced controls, optimization, estimation, and detection algorithms for GE Vernova's energy businesses.
• Validate solutions through simulation and hands-on testing on target systems, ensuring performance meets technical and operational requirements.
• Document your work through patent applications, peer-reviewed publications, and technical reports that advance the field and protect GE Vernova's intellectual property.
• Transfer mature technologies to GE Vernova engineering teams for integration into next-generation products and services.
• Build and maintain awareness of emerging developments in systems technology, identifying new research directions and application opportunities.
• Collaborate with colleagues across GE Research, GE Vernova business units, and external partners from academia, industry, and government.

Who You Are

You are a researcher who bridges theoretical rigor and practical engineering impact — someone who finds energy in solving hard problems and satisfaction in seeing your work shape real systems at scale.

Required

• A doctorate in an engineering field with significant experience in advanced controls, optimization, estimation, or detection algorithm design; or a Master's degree in an engineering field with 10+ years of experience in the same domain.
• Deep technical knowledge in one or more of: advanced controls, optimization, estimation, or detection algorithms.
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink and at least one of C, C++, or Python.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing algorithmic solutions for complex physical systems such as mechanical systems, chemical plants, power systems, transportation, or aviation.
• A strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals and conferences.

Preferred

• Experience with real-time implementation of system solutions across varied hardware platforms.
• Familiarity with machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques applied in a controls context.
• Experience developing cybersecurity algorithms for industrial control systems.
• Proficiency in source code management using Git/GitHub.
• Experience contributing to government funding applications and project proposals.
• Experience leading project teams, including scheduling, milestone tracking, and technical reviews.
• Demonstrated ability to advance an idea from concept through to product application.

Why GE Vernova

GE Vernova employees rise to the challenge of building a world that works. We offer varied, competitive benefits designed to reward strong performance and support your personal and family needs — including health and wellness programs, financial benefits, and flexible arrangements suited to how you work and live today. We invest in your growth through structured on-the-job learning, development pathways, and access to a global network of researchers and engineers working on some of the most consequential energy problems of our time.

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 $113,200.00 and $188,800.00. 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 skill set.

Bonus eligibility: discretionary annual bonus.

This posting is expected to remain open for at least seven days after it was posted on October 15, 2026.

Available 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.

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.

Candidates should be aware that this role involves a client's critical infrastructure; shortlisted candidates would therefore be subject to heightened security checks as directed by our clients. All personal data will be handled with the utmost confidentiality and in accordance with our data protection policies, solely for recruitment and security purposes.