Job Description
Who We Are: The Rotating Machinery Dynamics Section at Southwest Research Institute is responsible for transitioning ideas and concepts for improving machinery, machinery based power systems, and renewable energy systems into tangible systems that we design, build, and test. Objectives of this Role: Lead a team in the analysis, field testing, root-cause investigation, and reporting of compressor, pump, and turbine failures and their auxiliary systems for advanced power cycles and oil and gas applications. Receive inquiries for root-cause failure analyses and field studies, develop and estimate costs for a scope of work, execute field studies internationally, and support analysis tasks to determine the root causes of failures and/or issues, and report on the results. Design reliable shafting, structures, and piping systems that meet required rotordynamic and structural vibration, stress, aerodynamic and thermal design constraints, and report findings in a variety of formats. Utilize applicable codes such as API, BPVC, ASME Piping Codes, or the like to ensure that vibration, stresses, etc. are within acceptable limits. Daily and Monthly Responsibilities: Utilize fundamental engineering knowledge in controls, vibration, thermal management, thermodynamics, and aerodynamics to diagnose and model failures and their causes. Analyze the mechanical performance of a machine design using applicable engineering principles and determine design improvements to eliminate the causes of failure. Analyze structural, aerodynamic, or material failures from plastic or cyclic loading using a combination of SolidWorks, FEA, or CFD based software. Correspond with clients to develop a scope of work, present updates to clients on the status of investigations, and collect information to aid in the RCFA. Present papers at applicable conferences to disseminate knowledge to the public. Requirements: Requires a Bachelors, Masters or a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. 2 years: Bachelors degree with experience in machine design and analysis 1 years: Masters level degree with experience in machine design and analysis 0 years: PhD with graduate experience in machinery design and analysis A valid/clear driver's license is required.