Sr Principal Structural Engineer
Houston, TX - USA
Job Summary
Career Area:
EngineeringJob Description:
Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.
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Solar Turbines a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. is looking for qualified Structural Engineer to provide Balance-of-Plant BOP Engineering and Design for projects utilizing Solars family of industrial gas turbines.
- This position is intended as an experienced engineering position for candidates with a minimum of 10 years oil & gas industry experience.
- Primary role is to fulfill the structural engineering needs for prefabricated modular products for oil & gas facilities engineering in the support of sales and execution for Solar Turbines products.
- Structural engineer will be responsible for the civil/structural engineering for balance of plant design of oil & gas projects utilizing gas turbine compressor sets & generators. Typical projects include gas compressor stations power generation and co-generation facilities offshore Single Lift Modules for both compression and power generation and Modular Building Solutions. Modular Building Solutions refers to Solars Configurable Modular Prefabricated Building (CMPB). The CMPB is a structural block based building that houses Solar Turbomachinery.
- Provide design/analysis of structural steel projects and proposals to assure that the design meets customer specifications Solar specifications and industry codes and standards.
- Provide mentorship to junior engineers.
- Assist in meetings necessary to support the lift and transportation (onshore/offshore) of large equipment.
- Travel to fabrication sites installation sites and customer facilities as needed to support project requirements.
- Position requires flexibility with personal schedule to meet deadlines and support occasional business travel.
- Work with other disciplines (mechanical piping instrumentation and electrical) to develop efficient structural designs
What you will have:
- Minimum of Bachelor of Science Degree in Structural Engineering
- Master of Science Degree in Structural engineering is a plus
- Professional Engineering License in the State of Texas is required other states are a plus.
- Applicants background should include familiarity with ASTM ACI CRSI ASCE OSHA IBC & AWS.
- Specialty codes:
- PIP required.
- ASCE Wind Loads for Petrochemical and Other Industrial Facilities - required.
- API 2A NFPA. - Desirable.
- Codes used internationally (codes from other countries) Desirable
- Ability to work in the United States and able to travel internationally. Current US passport is preferred.
- Demonstrated proficiency in problem solving and troubleshooting.
- Strong communication skills both written and verbal in the English language.
- Sense of urgency and good organizational skills are required to work with multiple projects and competing priorities.
- Experience with industry standard software and structural analysis software - STAAD Pro RAMconnect MathCAD.
- 6-Sigma background is a plus.
- Experience with working with a fabrication yard or facility is a plus.
- Basic knowledge of mechanical equipment (turbines compressors generators etc.) is a plus
PROBLEM COMPLEXITY:
Assignments cover a variety of structural design problems related to facilities engineering. Must be able to perform detailed analysis and calculations required and document results. Projects range from 1 to 18 months in length occasionally longer.
WORK DIRECTION AND LATITUDE:
- Works under the direction of project engineer on assigned proposal or project.
- Reports organizationally to Project Execution Engineering Manager (Construction Services).
- Performs design engineering and specifies equipment related to discipline on assigned proposals and projects under general supervision.
- Follows established processes and procedures without exception.
- Reviews engineered products (calculations drawings reports specifications for soundness of technical judgment and overall adequacy and accuracy.
- Initiates and recommends design changes as required.
- Initiates and recommends departmental process changes as required.
What you will do
- Develop structural designs for offshore Single Lift Modules Modular Building Products development of civil and foundation designs for land-based compression and power generation equipment structural skid design for skidded/modular process equipment preparing project cost estimates and support of construction activities.
- Produce Structural Analysis and Design Reports for Modular Building Solutions including connection details and foundation interface loads.
- Actively contribute to the development of project drawings such as Structural Arrangements & Details Foundation Designs Civil design etc.
- Actively participate in the preparation and monitoring of project schedule
- Produce designs and specifications for structural/civil components as found commonly in the oil & gas environment.
- Participate in project design reviews marine surveys and various other departmental meetings involving structural issues.
- Interface with suppliers during the definition of equipment scope and throughout project execution
- Assist in the development of documents required for onshore and offshore transportation of large equipment.
- Support the field during fabrication installation commissioning and start-up of designed systems. Fabrication is normally at Solars fabrication facility (TurboFab) in Channelview TX.
- Recommend design changes affecting areas of direct responsibility
- Prepare proposal manhours and cost estimates and keep track of the manhours and equipment cost during project execution.
- Meets customer and company expectations for a quality product
- Provides technical expertise on assigned projects
- Identifies cost reduction opportunities for Solars activities
- Assists in the development of departmental standards specifications tools processes and equipment.
- Resolves complex structural problems as they arise.
- Ensures project deliverables (documents and equipment) are delivered on time
LIAISON:
- Frequent contact with engineers supervisors quality purchasing and fabrication to obtain information and give technical advice and direction after proper review related to assigned projects and proposals.
- Occasional contact with suppliers and customers regarding technical and documentation expediting issues.
BUSINESS CONTRIBUTION:
Completes assigned tasks in a timely and professional manner per schedule thus contributing to organizational effectiveness
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS:
- Ability to read/write in technical Spanish is a plus not required.
- Minimum of Bachelor of Science Degree in Structural Engineering.
- Professional Engineering License in the State of Texas required
- Applicants background should include familiarity with ASTM ACI CRSI ASCE OSHA IBC & AWS.
- Specialty codes:
- PIP required.
- ASCE Wind Loads for Petrochemical and Other Industrial Facilities - required.
- Experience with industry standard software and structural analysis software - STAAD Pro RAMconnect MathCAD.
- Ability to work in the United States and able to travel internationally.
- Current US passport is preferred.
- Demonstrated proficiency in problem solving and troubleshooting.
- Strong communication skills both written and verbal in the English language.
- Sense of urgency and good organizational skills are required to work with multiple projects and competing priorities.
What will set you apart:
- Master of Science Degree in Structural engineering is a plus
- Professional Engineering License in other states is a plus.
- Ability to read/write in technical Spanish is a plus.
- 6-Sigma background is a plus.
- Experience with working with a fabrication yard or facility is a strong plus.
- Basic knowledge of mechanical equipment (turbines compressors generators etc.) is a plus
- Specialty codes:
- API 2A NFPA. - Desirable.
- Codes used internationally (codes from other countries) Desirable
Summary Pay Range:
$128470.00 - $192710.00Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors job level market locationjob-related knowledge skills individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.
Benefits:
Subject to plan eligibility terms and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.
Medical dental and vision benefits*
Paid time off plan (Vacation Holidays Volunteer etc.)*
401(k) savings plans*
Health Savings Account (HSA)*
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*
Health Lifestyle Programs*
Employee Assistance Program*
Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*
Career Development*
Incentive bonus*
Disability benefits
Life Insurance
Parental leave
Adoption benefits
Tuition Reimbursement
* These benefits also apply to part-time employees
This position requires working onsite five days a week.Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.Posting Dates:
July 23 2026 - August 5 2026Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.
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Required Experience:
Staff IC
About Company
Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial turbines and diesel-electric locomotives.