Senior Turbine Hardware Engineer

The Leonardo DRS Naval Power Systems business is a trusted provider of innovative naval gas and hybrid power systems, control technology and support solutions for the U.S. Navy and navies around the world.

DRS NPS has an immediate need for a Lead Steam Turbine Engineer to be responsible for the design, analysis, optimization and qualification of assembly and individual critical components for high performance steam turbines. The candidate will generate the optimal design of subcomponents including buckets, diaphragms, nozzles, etc. and ensure their collective performance when integrated as a turbine assembly. Use of modern computational turbomachinery design-oriented tools as supplemented by comprehensive understanding of the first order and analytical models relevant to steam turbine design will be critical to the success of this position.

The candidate is expected to work independently, using judgment and discretion in making complex decisions. Along with providing individual contributions, the role is also responsible for leading multidisciplinary project team(s) of engineers, detailers, and drafters in a matrix organization in fulfilling program requirements. The technical nature of this position requires a collaborative and consultative role in program development and problem solving with other technical disciplines.

The role requires utilizing engineering experience to estimate, plan, and execute DoD and commercial projects ranging from < $2M - $150M+.
Critical to success in the role is the ability to breakdown and organize complicated technical challenges and inspire the engineering team to find innovative solutions to those challenges. Equally important is the ability to clearly document / present project status within the team, to project leadership, and to other functions including executive management. As part of regular activities, this role will have significant supplier and customer interaction.
The ideal candidate is an individual possessing strong mechanical engineering technical skills and a working knowledge of thermodynamics, compressible fluid flow, and other design considerations for steam turbine rotating equipment. The ability to set a technical vision for a project, influence its adoption, and motivate the team are all key skillsets.

This position is in-office or hybrid based out of DRS's Fitchburg, MA location.

• Plan and drive execution of the detailed technical work scope for large steam turbines, gas turbines, and generators to the required quality, schedule, and budget.
• Generate comprehensive turbine concept design options that align with performance requirements to accelerate the detail design with reduced iterations.
• Lead and review detailed analysis to ensure robust turbine designs that meet all required performance requirements. Perform thermodynamic, blade shaping, flow path, blade stress, rotodynamic and / or Computational Fluid Dynamics analysis using the associated computational turbine design tool packages.
• Develop project plans and pre-contract proposal estimates based on project scope, technical requirements, risks, and by understanding the voice of the customer.
• Organize, lead, and motivate technical teams through development of complex products and systems.
• Confidently and competently represent DRS in front of customers, including the US Navy.
• Clearly communicate, orally and in writing, technical and programmatic information to technical and non-technical individuals
• Review, analyze, and status project milestones and provide accurate estimates to complete projects/tasks
• Collaboration with other departments, DRS locations, and suppliers to solve problems and develop cost-effective, high-quality solutions.
• Design for EHS and manufacturability and demonstrate this skillset in support of manufacturing and field activities.
• Mentor other team members in state-of-the-art design and analysis processes.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree from a 4-year accredited college or university in Mechanical Engineering or other suitable degree with a minimum of 5 years of experience in the development of steam turbines or other turbomachinery rotating components.
• Experience in Steam Turbine rotating component design, including ST rotating and stationary bucket/blade designs, design process & procedures.
• Demonstrated excellence applying fundamentals of Mechanical Design, including material selection, statistics, strength of materials, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, rotor dynamics, and life estimating methods related to Low and High Cycle fatigue (LCF & HCF) and creep.
• Proven experience individually driving the product development cycle from concept to qualified / fielded systems.
• Experience with system-level thinking and system engineering principles/methods
• Experience with the design of large welded fabrications and complex rotating assemblies.
• US citizen able to pass screening for security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with the development of steam turbines fielded in applications of electric machines, electric motor/drive systems, electro-mechanical systems.
• Familiarity with the full manufacturing process including forgings, machining, and factory assembly/ testing practices, specifically as applied to power generation equipment.
• Proficient with Computer Aided Design (CAD) Tools (Siemens NX and/or Solidworks preferred).
• Proficient with Concepts NREC or SoftInWay or equivalent turbo machinery software for turbine design and analysis.
• Proficient with Finite Element Analysis and/or Multi-Physics Analysis Tools (ANSYS preferred)
• Experience in optimization techniques and processes to maximize advantages in computational turbomachinery design methods
• Experience with Program Management tools (MS Project preferred) and/or agile Project Management tools- (Jira preferred).
• Experience with execution of projects for the US military.
• Familiarity with industrial and military design specifications.
• Active security clearance.