Principal Scientist - Mechanical Engineering

Location: Niskayuna

Job Description Summary

As a GE Vernova accelerator, GE Vernova Advanced Research is driving strategy and leading research & development efforts to execute on the business’s mission to help power the energy transition. We forge the collaborations and help invent the technologies required to electrify and decarbonize for a zero-carbon future.

Representing virtually every major scientific and engineering discipline, our researchers are collaborating with GE Vernova’s businesses, the U.S. government, and more than 420 entities at the forefront of technology to execute on 150+ energy focused projects. Collectively, these research programs and initiatives aim to solve near term technical challenges, deliver next generation product advances, and drive long term breakthrough innovation to enable more affordable, reliable, sustainable, and secure energy.

As a Principal Engineer of Mechanical Engineering, you will work across Vernova Advanced Research and with GE Vernova business engineering and product teams to define and execute technical strategy, create innovative new internal and external programs, and be at the forefront of research to drive innovation, improve performance, and contribute to the success of the technology domain.

Job Description

Roles and Responsibilities:

You will work closely with business and technology partners to define and develop new technology programs in the specific technical domain

• Provide technical leadership to develop differentiating mechanical design, structural, and advanced manufacturing technologies to drive the energy transition
• Drive technical leadership and excellence for a specific domain within mechanical engineering
• Shape and grow internal and external program pipeline in partnership with GE Vernova businesses and government agencies such as the US Department of Energy and ARPA-e.
• Develop partnerships with universities, small businesses and national laboratories to expand the current set of capabilities within domain.
• Drive next generation critical design, mechanics or advanced manufacturing programs and work across the organization to build and manage required skillsets.
• Provide technical leadership, consultation and mentoring in the areas of project shaping, project management, and program execution for the domain.

You will take a leadership role in managing the domain research work at GE Vernova Advanced Research by developing relationships with government agencies and external partners to influence and shape research that is critical to both government needs and GE product roadmaps, including and not limited to the following areas -

• Wind blade design, manufacturing and inspection.
• Electric machines, high speed turbomachinery.
• Advanced manufacturing including metal additive, casting, DED, welding.
• Direct Air Capture systems.
  

You will help develop the strategy needed to drive buy-in for next generation nuclear based on business need, and then lead & guide multidisciplinary teams to implement them within the organization.

• Communicate technology strategies to Senior VP and CEO level executives across GE Vernova as well as to C-suite level stakeholders at external businesses, government agencies, and universities.
• Define & navigate program risks to achieve business outcomes.
• Raise the importance & visibility of system-level thinking.
• Build relationships within the highest of levels at the US Department of Energy to shape future opportunities.

Required Qualifications

• Doctorate degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field with a minimum of 13 years of relevant experience OR Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field with a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience
• 10+ years of experience leading teams or large projects, with a proven history of delivering milestone reports and strategic briefings directly to Senior VP and CEO-level leadership.
• 10+ years of deep domain knowledge in design, mechanics, and advanced manufacturing, consistently applying these principles to optimize high-performance engineering solutions.
• 10+ years of experience leading large-scale government research programs, including securing funding through the authorship of successful, high-impact R&D proposals.
  

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be willing to work out of an office located in Niskayuna, NY.
• Due to the nature of the duties of this position, this role requires the individual to obtain and maintain US Government Security Clearance; prerequisite for a security clearance is U.S. citizenship.
• Must be 18 years or older

Desired Characteristics

• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills with demonstrated ability to lead multimillion-dollar programs.
• Demonstrated ability to technically mentor early-career and mid-career talent.
• Ability to make decisions with confidence when problems or solutions are not well defined.
• Demonstrated capability to thrive in a matrixed team environment.
• Familiarity with multiple GE businesses and proven ability to leverage cross-business networks to achieve outcomes.
• Proven ability to manage risk and uncertainty for self and team within a dynamic priority-setting environment.
• Strong technical acumen paired with an ability to understand a wide range of technology domains.
• Influence, facilitation, and negotiation skills; boundary-less/solution-focused approach.
• Demonstrated ability to take an innovative idea from research to a product.
• Strong record of peer-reviewed journal publications and conference presentations.

Additional Information

For candidates applying to a U.S. based position, the pay range for this position is between $131,700.00 and $219,300.00. The Company pays a geographic differential of 110%, 120% or 130% of salary in certain areas. The specific pay offered may be influenced by a variety of factors, including the candidate’s experience, education, and skill set.Bonus eligibility: discretionary annual bonus.This posting is expected to remain open for at least seven days after it was posted on August 12, 2026.Available benefits include medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; access to Health Coach from GE Vernova, a 24/7 nurse-based resource; and access to the Employee Assistance Program, providing 24/7 confidential assessment, counseling and referral services. Retirement benefits include the GE Vernova Retirement Savings Plan, a tax-advantaged 401(k) savings opportunity with company matching contributions and company retirement contributions, as well as access to Fidelity resources and financial planning consultants. Other benefits include tuition assistance, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, disability benefits, life insurance, 12 paid holidays, and permissive time off.GE Vernova Inc. or its affiliates (collectively or individually, “GE Vernova”) sponsor certain employee benefit plans or programs GE Vernova reserves the right to terminate, amend, suspend, replace, or modify its benefit plans and programs at any time and for any reason, in its sole discretion. No individual has a vested right to any benefit under a GE Vernova welfare benefit plan or program. This document does not create a contract of employment with any individual.