Principal Engineer - Large Fabrications
Job Description Summary
As the Principal Engineer - Large Fabrications, you will provide technical leadership and engineering rigor for the design, analysis, and validation of large fabricated and composite structures used in wind turbine nacelles and related assemblies. This role is focused on sheet-metal based structural components and requires deep expertise in structural integrity, dynamics, fatigue, fracture mechanics, strength assessment, and design for manufacturability.
You will be responsible for driving robust engineering decisions through design reviews, drawing reviews, stack-up assessments, analytical calculations, and correlation of test and simulation results. You will also support review of certification activities, engage with external agencies as needed, and help strengthen technical capability across the organization, especially in dynamics.
This is a leadership role for an experienced engineer who can challenge assumptions, develop new methods, and partner with CTHs, design teams, suppliers, and cross-functional stakeholders to deliver safe, high-quality, and compliant products.
Job Description
Essential Responsibilities
- Lead the design, analysis, validation, and technical direction of large fabricated and composite structures for wind turbine nacelles.
- Drive robust engineering solutions for sheet-metal and composite structures, ensuring safety, quality, manufacturability, and compliance.
- Chair design reviews, perform detailed drawing and tolerance analyses, and ensure sound technical decisions throughout the product development process.
- Perform structural calculations and simulations in ANSYS, covering strength, frequency-domain fatigue, fracture mechanics, and structural performance.
- Apply industry standards (IIW, Eurocode, DNV) to support engineering decisions, compliance, and certification activities.
- Bridge testing and simulation by correlating results, improving models, and developing validated analysis methods.
- Partner with engineering leadership to strengthen structural engineering capabilities, identify technical gaps, and drive continuous improvement.
- Lead technical supplier reviews, root cause investigations, and cross-functional problem solving with design, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and certification teams.
- Support product lifecycle management (PLM) activities and mentor engineers to grow technical expertise across the team.
Qualification / Requirements
- Master's degree in Mechanical, Structural, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Extensive structural engineering experience, preferably with large fabricated metallic structures and composite components.
- Strong expertise in structural dynamics, sheet-metal fabrication, and composite structures.
- Hands-on experience in frequency-domain fatigue analysis, fracture mechanics, strength calculations, structural validation, and first-principles machine design.
- Proficiency in ANSYS or similar frequency-domain analysis tools.
- Working knowledge of engineering drawing reviews, GD&T, and tolerance stack-up analysis.
- Experience supporting certification processes and interacting with certification bodies.
- Strong communication, stakeholder management, and engineering coaching skills.
- Strong ownership, accountability, and commitment to engineering excellence.
Desired Characteristics
- Knowledge of wind turbine nacelle structures and related design challenges.
- Familiarity with industry standards and codes such as IIW, Eurocode, and DNV.
- Demonstrated ability to lead technical reviews and make sound engineering decisions.
- Experience in test-to-simulation correlation and method development in frequency domain .
- Strong problem-solving skills with experience in RCA, supplier issue resolution, and technical investigations.
- Ability to challenge the status quo and drive technical advancement.
Additional Information
Relocation Assistance Provided: No
Want more jobs like this?
Get Software Engineering jobs in Barcelona, Spain delivered to your inbox every week.

Perks and Benefits
Health and Wellness
- Health Insurance
- Health Reimbursement Account
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Disability
- FSA
- FSA With Employer Contribution
- HSA
- HSA With Employer Contribution
- Fitness Subsidies
- On-Site Gym
- Mental Health Benefits
Parental Benefits
- Adoption Assistance Program
- Family Support Resources
- Birth Parent or Maternity Leave
- Adoption Leave
Work Flexibility
- Flexible Work Hours
- Remote Work Opportunities
- Hybrid Work Opportunities
Office Life and Perks
- Commuter Benefits Program
- Casual Dress
- On-Site Cafeteria
- Holiday Events
Vacation and Time Off
- Unlimited Paid Time Off
- Paid Holidays
- Personal/Sick Days
- Summer Fridays
Financial and Retirement
- 401(K)
- Stock Purchase Program
- Performance Bonus
- Relocation Assistance
- Financial Counseling
- Profit Sharing
- 401(K) With Company Matching
Professional Development
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Access to Online Courses
- Lunch and Learns
- Leadership Training Program
- Internship Program
- Associate or Rotational Training Program
Diversity and Inclusion
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program
- Employee Resource Groups (ERG)
- Unconscious Bias Training
Company Videos
Hear directly from employees about what it is like to work at GE Vernova.