Cold Section Module IPT Leader

Job Description Summary

GE Aerospace is seeking a highly skilled GEK Cold Section Module IPT Leader to join our Small Uncrewed Engines team, with primary responsibility for fan and compressor hardware for the GEK1500 and GEK800 engine programs. In this role, you will provide technical leadership and hardware ownership for all cold section components from the fan inlet through the combustor interface, including both rotating and static compression system hardware.

You will lead cross-functional Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) across design, analysis, manufacturing, and test to mature and deliver cold section hardware that meets stringent performance, operability, structural, and cost requirements for expendable and limited-life small uncrewed propulsion systems.

Job Description

Essential Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Hardware Ownership

• Lead the cold section module for GEK engine family, owning all aspects of fan and compressor rotating and static hardware design, integration, and delivery.
• Serve as the technical authority for fan blades, compressor rotors, stators, cases, inlet hardware, and all associated cold section components.
• Own the technical baseline (CAD, drawings, specifications) for all cold section hardware from fan inlet to combustor interface.
• Define and manage critical interfaces including inlet-to-fan interface, fan-to-compressor interface, and compressor-to-combustor interface.

Fan & Compressor Rotating Hardware Design & Integration

• Lead the design, analysis, and qualification of compression system rotating components including fan blades, compressor disks, blades, spacers, and rotor assemblies.
• Drive fan and compressor aerodynamic design in collaboration with aerodynamics teams to achieve performance, pressure ratio, efficiency, and operability targets.
• Lead mechanical design of compression system rotors including disk stress analysis, blade attachment design, and rotor assembly architecture.
• Manage rotor dynamics analysis and ensure proper critical speed margins and vibration characteristics throughout the operating envelope.
• Define material selection, surface treatments, and manufacturing processes for rotating components to achieve required durability and foreign object damage (FOD) resistance.

Fan & Compressor Static Hardware Design & Integration

• Lead the design and integration of compression system static components including inlet guide vanes, stator vanes, compressor cases, and diffuser hardware.
• Design stator assemblies with appropriate aerodynamic profiles, structural support, and variable geometry actuation systems if applicable.
• Develop compressor case designs that maintain proper clearances while managing thermal growth, pressure loads, and structural requirements.
• Lead the design of compressor sealing systems including labyrinth seals, knife-edge seals, and abradable seal systems to minimize leakage losses and maximize efficiency.
• Define static hardware interfaces with adjacent modules including inlet, combustor, and bearing compartments.

Inlet & Flow Path Design

• Lead the design of inlet hardware including inlet case, nose cone, inlet guide vanes, and foreign object damage (FOD) protection features.
• Ensure inlet design provides uniform flow delivery to the fan while accommodating installation requirements and vehicle integration constraints.
• Manage aerodynamic flow path definition from inlet through compressor exit, ensuring smooth transitions and optimized area distributions.
• Coordinate with vehicle integrators on inlet installation, boundary layer ingestion considerations, and inlet distortion characteristics.
• Design inlet anti-icing systems or ice protection features as required by operating environment.

Compressor-Combustor Interface Design

• Lead the design of the compressor discharge region including diffuser, pre-diffuser, and combustor inlet interface.
• Ensure proper flow delivery to the combustor with appropriate velocity profiles and pressure recovery.
• Define bleed air extraction points and secondary air system offtakes for turbine cooling, bearing compartment pressurization, and other engine systems.
• Manage mechanical interfaces between compressor rear structure and combustor case, including load paths and thermal isolation.
• Coordinate with combustor team on interface requirements, mounting provisions, and assembly sequences.

Design & Analysis Integration

• Guide designers and analysts in developing robust, producible designs that satisfy aerodynamic, structural, vibration, dynamic, and durability requirements as defined in the UERD.
• Collaborate closely with aerodynamics, stress, dynamics, materials, and operability teams to ensure balanced, optimized designs.
• Drive design trades and margin management to meet performance, weight, operability, and cost targets.
• Lead Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and rotordynamics analysis activities for cold section components.

Operability & Stall Margin Management

• Ensure compression system design provides adequate stall margin throughout the operating envelope including steady-state and transient conditions.
• Collaborate with operability and controls teams to assess compression system stability and response to transients.
• Lead design features that enhance operability including variable geometry, bleed systems, or casing treatments as appropriate.
• Support engine operability testing and incorporate learning into design improvements.
• Manage compression system operability risks and develop mitigation strategies.

Product Development & Execution

• Lead cold section hardware scope through concept, preliminary design, detailed design, test, qualification, and entry into service.
• Support hardware build, assembly, and test by resolving design issues and incorporating learning into updated configurations.
• Ensure design for manufacturability and assembly (DFMA) in partnership with manufacturing engineering and suppliers, considering machining, fabrication, welding, and assembly processes.
• Develop and execute component and engine-level test plans to validate cold section performance, operability, and structural integrity.

Requirements & Interfaces

• Translate system- and customer-level requirements into clear cold section design requirements and verification plans.
• Define and manage interfaces between cold section components and adjacent engine modules including inlet, combustor, mechanical systems, and controls.
• Ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, and customer requirements throughout the design process, including FOD tolerance and bird strike requirements.
• Manage cold section contribution to overall engine performance, operability, weight, and cost requirements.

IPT Leadership & Coordination

• Lead Integrated Product Team (IPT) meetings for cold section hardware, coordinating activities across design, analysis, manufacturing, test, quality, and supply chain.
• Drive integrated schedule development and execution for cold section hardware deliverables across multiple engine builds.
• Manage technical risks and opportunities, developing mitigation plans and driving risk reduction activities.
• Provide regular status updates to Model Leaders and program leadership on cold section technical progress, risks, and issues.

Materials & Manufacturing Integration

• Partner with materials engineering to select appropriate materials for compression system components including titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, and steel alloys.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineering and suppliers on machining strategies, fabrication processes, welding, and quality control.
• Drive supplier development activities for fan blades, compressor disks, machined components, and fabricated assemblies.
• Ensure cold section designs are compatible with expendable engine cost targets and high-volume production strategies.

Continuous Improvement & Standards

• Champion FLIGHT DECK principles and design best practices for cold section hardware within the Small Uncrewed Engines organization.
• Identify and drive continuous improvement opportunities in design methods, tools, and processes for compression system components.
• Contribute to design guidelines, checklists, and standards for cold section hardware applicable to small uncrewed engine applications.
• Capture and disseminate lessons learned from cold section testing, including aerodynamic performance, structural integrity, and operability.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Provide day-to-day technical direction, mentoring, and coaching to compression system design engineers, analysts, and drafters supporting cold section hardware.
• Collaborate effectively with program management, supply chain, quality, and test organizations to ensure integrated execution.
• Partner with GEK1500 and GEK800 Model Leaders to ensure cold section hardware supports overall engine program objectives.
• Present design status, risks, and recommendations to technical leaders and program leadership.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related engineering discipline; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in turbomachinery design engineering, preferably in gas turbine compression systems or compressor component design.
• This role requires the successful candidate to maintain a US Government Security Clearance; prerequisite for a security clearance is U.S. Citizenship. Preference will be given to candidates who currently hold US Government Security Clearance.

Desired Skills:

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in turbomachinery design engineering, preferably in gas turbine compression systems or compressor component design.
• Possess a current US Government Security Clearance.
• Demonstrated experience with fan or compressor aerodynamic design, mechanical design, or compression system integration.
• Strong understanding of compressor aerodynamics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and structural dynamics.
• Experience with compression system operability, stall margin assessment, and stability analysis.
• Proven ability to own hardware from concept through production, including drawing release, change management, and support to manufacturing and test.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design fundamentals including materials, GD&T, stress analysis, fatigue, and high cycle fatigue (HCF).
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools (e.g., Siemens NX, CATIA, or similar) and familiarity with PDM/PLM systems.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with ability to convey complex technical information to diverse audiences.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with demonstrated ability to make sound engineering decisions.
• Experience with aerospace propulsion systems, particularly gas turbine engines or small uncrewed engine applications.
• Background in axial compressor design including aerodynamic profiling, stage matching, and 3D blade design.
• Experience with compressor rotor design, disk stress analysis, and high cycle fatigue (HCF) assessment.
• Knowledge of fan blade design including aerodynamics, bird strike requirements, and FOD tolerance.
• Familiarity with compressor structural analysis including stress, vibration, dynamics, flutter, and forced response.
• Experience with compressor aerodynamic analysis tools and CFD for flow path design and performance prediction.
• Understanding of compression system manufacturing processes including machining, fabrication, welding, and electron beam welding.
• Familiarity with compressor test methods including cascade testing, component rig testing, and engine testing.
• Experience working with suppliers on compressor hardware including machined disks, blades, and fabricated cases.
• Knowledge of compressor sealing systems, clearance control, and secondary air system integration.
• Understanding of inlet design, distortion effects, and inlet-compressor compatibility.
• Understanding of agile or lean product development practices and their application to hardware design.
• Prior experience in technical leadership, IPT leadership, or team lead roles.
• Experience with expendable or limited-life engine design considerations.
• Familiarity with military engine specifications and qualification requirements for compression system components.

What GE Aerospace Offers

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package
• Opportunities for career growth and technical leadership development
• The chance to work on cutting-edge small uncrewed propulsion technologies
• A collaborative, innovative environment that values safety, quality, and continuous improvement

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Compensation Grade

SPB3

This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information. Therefore, employment will be contingent upon the ability to prove that you meet the status of a U.S. Person as one of the following: U.S. lawful permanent resident, U.S. Citizen, have been granted asylee or refugee status (i.e., a protected individual under the Immigration and Naturalization Act, 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)).

Additional Information

GE Aerospace offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation. GE Aerospace is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

GE Aerospace will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening.

Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes