Senior Principal Engineer (Product Certification)

Career Area:

Job Description:

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Senior Principal Engineer – Marine Certification

Location: Kearny Mesa, San Diego, California

Department: Product Certification Engineering

About Solar Turbines

Solar Turbines, a Caterpillar company, designs and manufactures industrial gas turbine systems used in Oil & Gas, Marine, and Power Generation applications worldwide. Our Product Certification Engineering team ensures products meet global safety, regulatory, and certification requirements while supporting market access across diverse industries and geographic regions.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Principal Engineer to provide technical leadership for marine certification activities supporting Solar's global product portfolio.

In this role, you will serve as the technical authority for marine certification requirements, working closely with engineering, manufacturing, project teams, customers, and marine classification societies. You will help define certification methodologies, resolve complex regulatory challenges, and support successful deployment of Solar products in marine and offshore applications worldwide.

This position combines deep technical expertise with strategic leadership and provides an opportunity to shape certification practices across a global organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for marine and offshore certification activities.
• Interpret and apply marine classification society requirements, applicable regulations, and industry standards.
• Develop and maintain certification methodologies, engineering guidance, and compliance processes supporting marine applications.
• Serve as a technical authority for marine certification matters across engineering and business organizations.
• Support product development and project execution teams in the application of marine certification requirements.
• Lead technical interactions with marine classification societies and certification organizations, including DNV, ABS, Lloyd's Register, Bureau Veritas, RINA, and similar bodies.
• Evaluate evolving regulations, classification requirements, and industry standards and determine impacts to products and certification approaches.
• Resolve complex technical and regulatory issues involving marine and offshore applications.
• Mentor engineers and facilitate development of marine certification expertise within the organization.
• Participate in industry committees, technical working groups, and certification-related initiatives.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, field services, and business teams to support successful product certification and market access.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial, Marine, or related Engineering discipline.
• Minimum 12 years of relevant engineering experience.
• Experience with marine certification, regulatory compliance, marine systems, offshore applications, industrial equipment, or related technical fields.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply technical standards, regulations, and certification requirements.
• Proven technical leadership experience within a cross-functional engineering environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with marine classification societies such as DNV, ABS, Lloyd's Register, Bureau Veritas, RINA, or similar organizations.
• Experience supporting certification of marine propulsion systems, power generation equipment, electrical systems, control systems, machinery, or related industrial products.
• Expertise in one or more disciplines including:
  • Hazardous Locations Safety
  • Machinery Safety
  • Pressure Equipment Safety
  • Electrical Safety
  • Functional Safety
  • Chemical & Material Safety
• Experience developing engineering procedures, technical standards, or compliance methodologies.
• Experience mentoring engineers and leading technical initiatives.
• Experience actively participating in standards-development activities, regulatory working groups, or industry committees.

Career Growth Opportunities

Product Certification Engineering offers a unique opportunity to combine deep technical expertise with organizational influence. Engineers in this role develop authority in marine certification, regulatory compliance, and global market-access requirements while providing technical leadership across multiple engineering disciplines.

As responsibility grows, engineers may expand their influence across additional certification disciplines, participate in industry standards development, guide certification strategies for emerging technologies, and contribute to Solar's long-term certification capabilities.

Why Join Solar Turbines

• Work on complex industrial systems deployed worldwide.
• Influence compliance and certification of products used in marine and offshore environments.
• Engage directly with leading marine classification societies and certification organizations.
• Collaborate with experts across engineering, manufacturing, and product development.
• Help shape future certification approaches supporting global energy infrastructure.

Additional Information

This is an onsite position located in Kearny Mesa, San Diego, California.

The role requires close collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, project execution teams, customers, marine classification societies, and regulatory authorities. It offers significant opportunities for technical leadership, professional growth, and impact on Solar's global marine business.

Summary Pay Range:

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-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

Posting Dates:

Any 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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