POSITION PURPOSEThe 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 & SCOPEReports 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, SAP2000 and Autodesk Simulation, and numerical analysis software including Mathcad.
- Knowledge of structural design methods, including cold-formed steel design (AISI S100) and load determination (ASCE 7).
- Experience defining and directing testing programs used to validate analysis methods and tools.
- Knowledge of materials and an ability to find or determine material properties as required for advanced analyses.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES Travel as needed to global engineering centers in Europe and Asia, and occasionally as needed to regional manufacturing facilities, test laboratories, technical conferences, and professional association meetings, etc.
WORKING CONDITIONS - Working hours are the standard BAC 40 hours per week (8:30am-5:00pm with flexible start/finish times allowed).
- Travel, both domestically and internationally, can be up to 20% of the time.
- Occasional evening/weekend hours required, although the work can often be done from home with the use of a portable computer and a VPN connection.
- Primarily sedentary activity in the office will be experienced; however, periodic travel to BAC manufacturing facilities with mechanical assembly (medium work) and lifting being required.
- Must have close visual acuity to work with computer systems and virtual models.
- Will typically be subjected to only indoor conditions; however, on occasional trips to BAC manufacturing facilities and test laboratories the individual may experience heat, cold, humidity, and noise.
BAC Hiring Compensation Range $108,200 to $185,200
BAC offers a comprehensive benefits package to include medical, dental, vision, paid time off, 401k, employee stock ownership plan, and more. Please see additional details on the BAC website at
BAC Employees are eligible to participate in an annual bonus incentive program.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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