Structural Dynamics & Vibration Engineer - Gas Turbines

Vulcain Engineering Group; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Vulcain Engineering Group is seeking a Senior Structural Dynamics & Vibration Engineer to lead dynamic analysis of large gas turbine foundations and rotating equipment in the United States. You will predict vibration transmission into concrete and steel foundations, avoiding resonance and ensuring integrity and reliability.

The role requires extensive experience with FEA, modal analysis, and vibration measurements, coordinating with mechanical, civil/structural, and turbomachinery teams to

Job description

SENIOR STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS & VIBRATION ENGINEER

Gas Turbine Foundations & Power Generation – United States

Position Overview

We are seeking a Senior Structural Dynamics & Vibration Engineer to provide specialist expertise in the dynamic analysis of large industrial structures supporting gas turbines and other rotating equipment. The role will focus on understanding and predicting vibration and dynamic loads transmitted from high-power turbomachinery into concrete and steel foundations, with particular emphasis on avoiding resonance and ensuring structural integrity and operational reliability.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and validate finite element models of reinforced-concrete and steel turbine foundations and supporting structures.
• Perform modal, frequency-response, harmonic, transient and dynamic structural analyses.
• Calculate natural frequencies, mode shapes, damping and dynamic response of foundations and structures.
• Model dynamic excitation forces generated by gas turbines, generators and other rotating machinery.
• Assess resonance risks and vibration levels against applicable engineering criteria and project requirements.
• Evaluate dynamic loads, stresses, displacements, accelerations and fatigue-related effects.
• Correlate numerical models with field vibration measurements and commissioning/test data.
• Investigate vibration problems and recommend structural, mechanical or foundation modifications.
• Work closely with Mechanical, Civil/Structural, Turbomachinery, Plant Engineering and Construction teams.
• Prepare technical calculation notes, engineering reports, design recommendations and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.

Required Technical Expertise

• Strong expertise in structural dynamics, vibration analysis and finite element analysis (FEA).
• Demonstrated experience with large industrial structures, heavy machinery foundations or power-generation facilities.
• Advanced understanding of modal analysis, harmonic response, frequency-domain analysis and dynamic loading.
• Experience with rotating machinery excitation, vibration mechanisms and resonance phenomena.
• Strong understanding of reinforced-concrete and steel structural behavior under dynamic loading.
• Ability to interpret vibration measurements and translate operating conditions into engineering load cases.

Preferred Software & Engineering Tools

• ANSYS Mechanical / ANSYS Workbench – EssentialFEA, modal, harmonic, and transient dynamic analysis.
• ANSYS APDL – Highly desirableAdvanced modelling, scripting, and complex dynamic simulations.
• Abaqus – Strong plusNonlinear analysis, advanced structural dynamics, and FEA.
• MSC Nastran / NX Nastran – Strong plusModal and frequency-response analysis, as well as aerospace and industrial structural dynamics.
• MATLAB / Python – DesirableSignal processing, vibration data analysis, automation, and post-processing.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil/Structural Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline.
• Typically 8–15+ years of relevant engineering experience in structural dynamics, vibration, FEA or heavy industrial engineering.
• Experience in power generation, gas/steam turbines, rotating equipment, industrial facilities, or similarly dynamic applications is strongly preferred.
• Professional Engineering (PE) license or eligibility for PE licensure in the United States is a plus.