About this role
Lead Thermal Fluids Engineer – Gas Turbine Cooling, Secondary Air Systems & Clearance Design
About the Role
Job ID 298765
Location United States of America, North Carolina, Charlotte
Company Siemens Energy, Inc.
Organization Gas Services
Business Unit Central
Full / Part time Full-time
Experience Level Professional / Experienced
A Snapshot of Your Day
As the Lead Thermal Fluids Engineer, you will provide technical leadership for the design, analysis, and optimization of gas turbine cooling systems, secondary air systems (SAS), sealing technologies, and clearance management strategies. Working with a global engineering team, you will help define the thermal-fluid architecture of next-generation gas turbines while supporting operational fleet performance, reliability, durability, and efficiency improvements.
You will serve as the organization's subject matter expert for thermal-fluid simulation, aerothermal analysis, and whole-engine thermal behavior, influencing critical design decisions from concept development through field operation. Your expertise will directly impact turbine performance, emissions, availability, and lifecycle cost for some of the world's most advanced power-generation technologies.
Technical Leadership & Strategy
Serve as the technical authority for gas turbine cooling air systems, sealing technologies, and clearance design. Establish engineering standards, best practices, and technology roadmaps for thermal-fluid and aerothermal simulation methodologies. Lead technical reviews and provide expert guidance on complex design challenges and fleet issues. Mentor, coach, and develop thermal-fluid engineers across a global organization. Guide innovation initiatives supporting next-generation gas turbine performance, reliability, and efficiency improvements. Translate analytical findings into actionable engineering recommendations for product development and fleet enhancement.
Advanced Thermal-Fluid Analysis & Simulation
Lead development and validation of advanced thermal-fluid, flow-network, and whole-engine models. Analyze secondary air systems, turbine cooling circuits, sealing effectiveness, and thermal growth behavior. Perform and oversee CFD, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and aerothermal analyses using commercial and proprietary software. Evaluate transient thermal behavior, turbine expansion characteristics, and component interactions to optimize assembly and operating clearances. Correlate analytical models with prototype testing, operational measurements, and fleet data. Support root cause investigations and corrective actions for complex thermal-fluid performance issues.
Product Development & Fleet Improvement
Influence conceptual and detailed design of advanced gas turbine products. Lead technical investigations into cooling effectiveness, thermal performance, clearance management, and component life improvements. Integrate fleet operating experience, test data, and lessons learned into future product designs. Conduct engineering risk assessments, including FMEA, for new technologies and major design modifications. Collaborate with systems engineering, manufacturing, service engineering, project management, and component design teams. Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on reliability, operability, efficiency, and lifecycle performance.
What You Bring
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related engineering discipline. Master's degree or PhD preferred. 10+ years of experience in thermal-fluid engineering, gas turbine design, turbomachinery development, or related fields. Demonstrated expertise in gas turbine cooling systems, secondary air systems (SAS), sealing technologies, and clearance management. Proven technical leadership experience leading complex engineering programs and mentoring engineering teams. Strong understanding of fluid mechanics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and turbomachinery fundamentals. Applicants must be legally authorized for employment in the United States without need for current or future employer-sponsored work authorization. Siemens Energy employees with current visa sponsorship may be eligible for internal transfers. Export Control Requirement (ECC): Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.
Preferred Experience
Large industrial gas turbines or aerospace turbine engines. Whole Engine Modeling (WEM). Turbine thermal growth and clearance analysis. Aerothermal design and optimization. Hot gas path cooling systems. Fleet performance analysis and root cause investigations. New product introduction and technology development programs.
Technical Skills
Thermal & Fluid Sciences
- Fluid Mechanics
- Heat Transfer
- Thermodynamics
- Aerothermal Analysis
- Turbomachinery
- Gas Turbine Systems
Modeling & Simulation
- CFD Analysis
- Thermal-Fluid Network Modeling
- Numerical Simulation
- Computational Engineering
- Whole Engine Modeling (WEM)
- Finite Element Analysis (FEA/FEM)
Software & Tools
Experience with one or more of:
- ANSYS Fluent
- ANSYS CFX
- STAR-CCM+
- Flow Simulator
- Thermal Desktop
- MATLAB
- Python
- Proprietary Thermal-Fluid Analysis Tools
Engineering Excellence
- Root Cause Analysis
- Risk Assessment (FMEA)
- Data Analytics
- Design Optimization
- Technical Mentoring
- Cross-Functional Leadership
About the Team
Our Gas Services division offers Low-emission power generation through service and decarbonization. Zero or low emission power generation and all gas turbines under one roof, steam turbines and generators. Decarbonization opportunities through service offerings, modernization, and digitalization of the fleet.
Who is Siemens Energy?
At Siemens Energy, we are more than just an energy technology company. With approximately 100,000 dedicated employees in more than 90 countries, we develop the energy systems of the future, ensuring that the growing energy demand of the global community is met reliably and sustainably. The technologies created in our research departments and factories drive the energy transition and provide the base for one sixth of the world's electricity generation.
Our global team is committed to making sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy a reality by pushing the boundaries of what is possible. We uphold a 150-year legacy of innovation that encourages our search for people who will support our focus on decarbonization, new technologies, and energy transformation.
Find out how you can make a difference at Siemens Energy: https://www.siemens-energy.com/employeevideo
Rewards/Benefits
- Career growth and development opportunities
- Supportive work culture
- Company paid Health and wellness benefits
- Paid Time Off and paid holidays
- 401K savings plan with company match
- Family building benefits
- Parental leave
Jobs & Careers: https://jobs.siemens-energy.com/jobs
TeamPurple #ELECTRON
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Siemens Energy and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, transgender, sex stereotyping, order of protection status, protected veteran or military status, or an unfavorable discharge from military service, and other categories protected by federal, state or local law.
California Privacy Notice California residents have the right to receive additional notices about their personal information. Click here to read more.