Lead Engineer - Fleet Engineering, Mechanical Structures

Lead Engineer in Mechanical Structures – Global Fleet Engineering

The Lead Engineer in Mechanical Structures Global Fleet Engineering team will be an RCA Leader owning assigned RCAs related to Rotor (Hub, Pitch Bearing), Towers and critical bolted joints of Onshore & Offshore fleet. The RCA leader’s prime responsibility is to drive root cause identification, containment, corrective action development and support implementation of systematic improvements for the most prevalent issues across the Global Wind Fleet. This role partners with Design Engineering, Sourcing, Parts, Services, Warranty and Global Fleet Performance Team, and applies Lean, 8D, Shainin and Six Sigma principles. The Lead Mechanical Structures RCA Leader also works on escalated issues, product safety concerns, cost avoidance and cost‑of‑quality reduction, and partners with FPM teams on emerging issues to facilitate faster resolution while minimizing impact.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Own assigned RCA from a technical & process perspective with cross‑functional teams to drive root cause analysis to achieve timely and robust issue resolution, addressing emerging issues and reducing MCU for all machinery structure components other than Machine Head.
• Support escalated PAC cases, owning the general disposition for RCA‑related PAC cases.
• Support RCA‑related SAFER Actions, defining a general approach to reduce unnecessary re‑work for future similar cases.
• Develop effective relationships with Fleet Performance, NPI Engineering, Field, Sourcing, Parts, and Quality teams, fostering best solutions to fleet problems.
• Assist in driving cross‑team initiatives and mentoring junior team members.
• Manage the cost of quality for our business related to implementing solutions for field quality issues.
• Partner with Sourcing on vendor recovery of supplier‑caused defects.
• Support commercial and technical discussions with suppliers to achieve field quality issue resolution.
• Provide clear and consistent communications for internal and external customers.
• Provide regular updates on RCA progress and related action plan in Quality Suite.
• Identify and secure the roles and functions required as part of the RCA team, escalating when required.
• Own the definition of the RCA necessary budget for POs and cost/benefit impact evaluation, overseeing PO workflow to secure approvals and issue necessary POs.
• Maintain thorough and well‑organized documentation of the RCA within the Fleet Engineering folder.
• Own the RCA report, providing regular updates to senior leadership as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s (preferred) degree in Mechanical Engineering or a relevant technical discipline from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of 5 years of prior relevant work experience, preferably in the wind industry.

Desired Characteristics

• Detailed understanding of the product development cycle.
• Detailed understanding of the 8D problem‑solving process.
• Positive, resourceful, clear and strategic thinking problem‑solver mindset; able to think outside the box to bring creative, sustainable solutions to complex scenarios.
• Proven RCA technical expertise and project closure.
• Prior background on wind turbine equipment and systems, especially bolted joints, tower structure, tower internals, pitch bearings and mechanical structures like the hub.
• Technical versatility and ability to learn technology outside one’s specialty.
• Ability and willingness to travel 10% of the time.
• Ability and willingness to climb a wind turbine.
• Root Cause Analysis training or certification (8‑D, Apollo, Shainin or similar).
• Statistical literacy and familiarity with quality concepts and tools (Six‑sigma, Lean, etc.).
• Strong problem‑solving skills.
• Product reliability mindset.
• Strong field and customer mind‑set; experience with internal and/or external customer communications, particularly with product quality topics like RCAs.
• Prior team management experience (direct or indirect reports), with influential leadership experience, credibility, and the ability to partner, energize and focus teams to deliver on priorities.
• Self‑starter, with personal ownership and accountability.
• Ability to understand business processes, issues and concerns and translate into solutions.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, multi‑cultural environment with cross‑functional teams.

Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes

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).