Pitch Bearing Lab Testing​/Design Validation Engineer

Job Description Summary

Wind energy works because every component performs. As a Design Validation Engineer for Pitch Bearing Lab Testing at GE Vernova, you will be at the center of that reliability — leading the test and validation programs that determine whether our pitch bearing designs are ready to perform in the field. This role sits within the Mechanical Subsystem Engineering team, part of our One Wind organization.

You will own the full validation lifecycle for pitch bearing components and bolted joints — from authoring test plans and pre-test predictions to leading teardowns, publishing findings, and shaping the next generation of test capability. Your work directly influences the safety, durability, and commercial success of our wind turbine products globally. If you are a detail-driven engineer who brings both analytical precision and collaborative energy to hard technical problems, this role is built for you.

You are a hands‑on engineer with a strong foundation in structural mechanics who brings intellectual curiosity, analytical rigor, and a genuine commitment to getting it right. You thrive in collaborative, cross‑functional environments and communicate complex technical findings with clarity and confidence.

GE Vernova employees rise to the challenge of building a world that works. Our benefits are designed to reward high performers and support the way you live and work today — including competitive compensation, health and wellness programs, and a commitment to your continued growth. We invest in on‑the‑job learning and provide a clear path for career development so you can keep building on what you know.

• Lead test and validation programs for pitch bearing components and bolted joints, supporting new product introduction (NPI), root cause analysis (RCA), quality initiatives, and total lifecycle cost improvement across the One Wind portfolio.
• Apply analytical and finite element analysis (FEA) tools to develop pre‑test predictions for bearing raceways, bolted joints, and structural components; author thorough test plans covering purpose, assembly requirements, instrumentation, data collection strategy, and predicted outcomes.
• Monitor active tests and communicate results, including data post‑processing, visualization, and timely status reporting; lead post‑test teardowns and inspections with thorough documentation of findings and lessons learned.
• Drive next‑generation test capability, leading the development of new test rigs in collaboration with third‑party partners and championing the evolution of design validation practices across the global team.
• Collaborate across functions, working with lab technicians, materials scientists, chief engineers, sourcing, quality, fleet management, systems engineering, and suppliers to execute test campaigns and share lessons learned.
• Own the lab budget cycle, including annual forecasting, purchase order submission, and parts receiving for lab hardware and instrumentation.
• Champion safety as a core value and integrate it into every stage of decision‑making and test execution.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline from an accredited college or university — a formal degree is nice to have, but we are most interested in your total experience and professional achievements.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in mechanical engineering, structural testing, or a closely related discipline.
• Willingness to travel to the test lab in Clinton, SC on a regular basis.

• Experience in bearing design or bolted joint structural analysis.
• Test laboratory experience, including load frames, data acquisition (DAQ) systems, instrumentation, and data post‑processing.
• Knowledge of wind turbine component design criteria and systems integration.
• Familiarity with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and technical drawing standards.
• Background in finite element analysis (FEA) tools and pre‑test structural prediction methods.
• Experience working within a cross‑functional, globally distributed…