Lead Engineer – Energy Systems

GE Vernova Advanced Research seeks a Lead Engineer – Energy Systems in Niskayuna, NY (onsite). The role offers a competitive salary range of USD 89,300 to 148,700 per year and supports pursuing impactful energy technology from concept through lab to pilot validation. This position emphasizes turbomachinery, heat transfer, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, with strong opportunities to contribute to national-scale energy solutions. The work location is onsite in Niskayuna, and U.S. work authorization is required.

Benefits

• Relocation support to ease the transition
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage
• Health coaching and ongoing wellness resources
• Employee Assistance Program available 24/7
• GE Vernova Retirement Savings Plan with company matching
• Financial planning resources and guidance
• Tuition assistance for continuing education
• Adoption assistance
• Paid parental leave
• Disability and life insurance
• 12 paid holidays and permissive time off
• Discretionary annual bonus potential

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, modeling, and conceptualization of high temperature and high pressure thermal and fluid systems, including advanced power cycles and components
• Apply advanced CFD and process/cycle modeling to optimize turbomachinery and energy-system elements
• Develop techno-economic analyses to evaluate life cycle economics and performance of novel components
• Plan and conduct advanced laboratory-scale tests to validate component and system performance
• Create design, commissioning, and testing plans with process diagrams and standard operating procedures for lab and plant scale projects
• Develop and manage R&D proposals for government agencies and external partners
• Collaborate across GE Vernova units and with national labs, academia, vendors, and customers
• Translate experimental data and TEA results into actionable business insights
• Pursue patents and establish a publication track through conferences and journals

Requirements

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a related field, with 3+ years of professional R&D experience in industry, a postdoctoral role, or at a national lab
• Experience in applied thermodynamics and thermal systems, analyzing complex cycles, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics to design and optimize energy systems
• Hands-on design, modeling, and performance analysis of turbomachinery and integrated energy systems (3+ years)
• Track record translating novel concepts into tangible component designs and integrated system development
• Experience shaping and executing government-funded R&D proposals, managing technical milestones and compliance for agencies such as DOE or DOD
• Legal authorization to work in the United States
• Willingness to work at the Niskayuna, NY office location
• This role requires a U.S. Person (green card holder or U.S. citizen)

Technologies

• Python
• MATLAB
• Ansys
• OpenFOAM
• COMSOL
• Aspen

Desired characteristics

• Expertise in design, analysis, steady-state and transient modeling, testing, and development of advanced power cycles
• Experience designing and building experimental test rigs
• Strong record of peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and patents
• Proficiency in Python and MATLAB for data analysis and post-processing
• Fluency with CFD tools (Ansys, OpenFOAM, COMSOL) and process-simulation tools (Aspen)
• Experience conducting TEA and life cycle assessments for complex energy systems
• Mentoring experience for graduate students or junior researchers and commitment to technical excellence and safety
• Ability to manage multi-stakeholder relationships across academic partners, national labs, and industrial consortia
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams