Principal Engineer, Structural Systems, Global

Principal Engineer, Structural Systems

POSITION PURPOSE The Principal Engineer, Structural Systems, is a recognized technical authority responsible for the structural integrity, qualification, and continuous improvement of BAC cooling tower and heat rejection products. This position provides advanced structural engineering leadership for new product introduction (NPI), product redesign, structural qualification, testing, product rating, and global code compliance. The Principal Engineer develops and establishes structural engineering standards, methodologies, and design practices for BAC products and serves as a technical resource to engineering, product management, manufacturing, sales, project management, and senior leadership.

The position has broad technical responsibility for structural systems including cold-formed steel components, structural steel, connections, panels, frames, supports, lifting and handling systems, and overall product structural behavior. The role leads the resolution of unique and highly complex structural problems involving wind, seismic, pressure, vibration, lifting, transportation, impact, and other critical loading conditions. The Principal Engineer is expected to operate independently, initiate technical projects, develop innovative solutions where existing methods are inadequate, and translate advanced structural engineering knowledge into safe, reliable, manufacturable, cost-effective, and competitive BAC products.

NATURE & SCOPE Reports to the Manager, Structural Engineering SME

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Serve as a technical expert in the application of cold-formed steel to cooling tower structures and components.
• Lead structural engineering activities for new product development and major product enhancement projects.
• Deal with unique or complex issues at a very high level. Projects require advanced techniques and theories and use of cutting-edge technology. Unconventional and novel approaches expected.
• Establish structural design criteria, analysis approaches, and validation plans to ensure product structural integrity and compliance with performance requirements.
• Work closely with global engineering product platform teams and product management to implement structural design solutions that meet functional, cost, and manufacturability objectives.
• Perform and direct structural analysis of product systems and components, including wind, seismic, transportation, installation, and operational loading.
• Review and approve structural design calculations, drawings, and specifications to ensure compliance with engineering standards and project requirements.
• Sign/stamp certified drawings/calculations/reports as required for projects.
• Define and coordinate structural test programs, including structural load testing, vibration testing, and seismic shake table certification testing such as HCAI (previously OSHPD).
• Evaluate test results and implement design improvements as necessary to ensure structural performance and reliability.
• Apply structural analysis methods, calculation tools, and design standards in the execution of structural engineering work.
• Support the implementation and consistent application of structural technologies, design methods, tools, and standards across product development projects.
• Identify and communicate opportunities to improve structural design practices, tools, and engineering efficiency.
• Support product cost reduction, quality improvement, and manufacturing optimization initiatives.
• Understand and apply relevant codes and standards in the design and testing of structural systems and components.
• Support global product platform teams in resolving structural engineering issues and ensuring structural integrity of product designs.
• Create an environment that promotes structural integrity, technical excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Strive for continuous improvement and teamwork in a global product development environment.
• Adhere to the Company's Code of Conduct and Business Ethics standards.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• Effective communication, written and verbal, with a globally diverse audience.
• Ability to work independently and with others on teams to understand and translate design and process engineering requirements into structural system concepts.
• Ability to understand product/component function, reliability, and quality requirements.
• Ability to perform technical literature searches and extract knowledge relevant to BAC products and processes.
• Understanding of HVAC/refrigeration systems and components preferred.
• Strong time management and project management skills.

EDUCATION

Master's degree in Mechanical or Structural Engineering. Professional licensing (PE) required, SE preferred.

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

Minimum of 12 years of structural or mechanical engineering experience; product development experience preferred; global experience preferred.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

Extensive experience with advanced modeling tools including Finite Element Analysis applications such as ANSYS, SAP
2000 and…