Mechanical Engineer - Generator & Fuel Systems
3 days ago
Buffalo
Job DescriptionJob Description Job Title: Mechanical Engineer – Generator & Fuel Systems Location: Buffalo, NY Department: Engineering Reports To: Director of Engineering Employment Type: Full-Time | On-Site Company Overview GTI Energy designs and manufactures complex modular systems supporting power generation platforms, modular data center infrastructure, energy storage, defense, and industrial markets. Operating in a high-mix, engineered-to-order environment, GTI delivers integrated generator systems, steel enclosures, fuel systems, and mission-critical modular infrastructure. Our engineering team works at the intersection of design and manufacturing, where technical decisions directly impact fabrication, assembly, field installation, and long-term product performance. Position Overview GTI Energy is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to own the full mechanical design of generator systems from concept through production launch. This role is responsible for enclosure systems, base frames, fuel systems, airflow management, exhaust integration, and mechanical packaging into a manufacturable end product. The Mechanical Engineer will operate at the system level, not just component design. This role requires ownership of the physical product functioning as intended in real-world conditions while partnering cross-functionally with Electrical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Operations. The ideal candidate combines strong mechanical design fundamentals with practical experience in tanks, fluid systems, thermal systems, sheet metal, weldments, and industrial equipment packaging. Key Responsibilities Generator System Design Ownership • Own full mechanical design of generator systems from concept, prototype, validation, and production release, • Develop integrated system layouts including enclosure, fuel systems, radiator systems, exhaust systems, service access, and structural packaging, • Ensure designs support manufacturability, installation, serviceability, lifting, transport, and long-term durability, • Design generator enclosures, skid bases, and structural frames that align with fabrication and assembly capabilities, • Develop layouts for component placement, maintenance access, airflow clearance, lifting points, and shipping requirements, • Design weldments, sheet metal assemblies, and bolted mechanical structures for production readiness, • Own fuel system design end-to-end including subbase tanks, belly tanks, day tanks, and associated fuel delivery systems, • Design UL 142 compliant storage tanks including double-wall construction, leak detection, venting, fill systems, and containment features, • Size fuel systems to meet runtime requirements, customer specifications, and application demands, • Define and route all fuel piping, tubing, hoses, and mechanical connections throughout the system, • Design for vibration resistance, thermal expansion, pressure integrity, and serviceability, • Ensure long-term reliability of fluid systems through proper component selection and installation methods, • Own generator airflow and thermal system performance including intake air, radiator integration, compartment cooling, and exhaust heat management, • Design airflow paths to ensure operation at worst-case ambient conditions without derating or overheating, • Evaluate fan performance, pressure drop, recirculation risks, and enclosure heat rejection, • Design exhaust routing, silencers, flex sections, and thermal shielding while maintaining acceptable backpressure limits, • Coordinate packaging space and provisions for aftertreatment or emissions equipment where required, • Drive manufacturable designs aligned with welding, fabrication, machining, paint, and final assembly capabilities, • Work directly with shop personnel to resolve fit-up, tolerance, and production issues quickly, • Improve designs based on production feedback to reduce labor hours, improve quality, and increase repeatability, • Participate in prototype builds, heat runs, system validation, and production troubleshooting, • Diagnose root causes of thermal, fuel, vibration, packaging, or durability issues and implement corrective actions, • Support continuous improvement through Root Cause Analysis, 5 Whys, and Fishbone methodologies, • Partner with Electrical Engineering on controls, harness routing, battery systems, and integrated power components, • Coordinate with Supply Chain on sourced components, lead times, and alternate part qualification, • Support Quality and Operations teams during launch, production ramp, and field issue resolution, • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline, • 5–10+ years of mechanical engineering experience in generator systems, industrial equipment, mobile equipment, power systems, HVAC, tanks, fluid systems, or similar hardware environments, • Experience designing weldments, sheet metal assemblies, mechanical packaging, and fabricated systems, • Strong understanding of fuel systems, piping, pumps, filters, valves, and fluid hardware integration, • Experience with thermal systems, airflow management, cooling systems, or heat rejection design, • Proficiency with CAD tools such as SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo, or similar platform, • Experience with diesel or natural gas generator systems, • Familiarity with UL 142 fuel tank requirements or related fuel storage standards, • Experience with modular data center power systems, standby power, or mission-critical infrastructure, • Background in fabrication-heavy or contract manufacturing environments, • Experience with FEA, CFD, or thermal modeling tools, • Exposure to Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, or new product introduction (NPI) processes