Job Description Summary

The Senior Design Engineer – Advanced Concepts & Prototypes will turn the cutting-edge technology of GE Aerospace Research into the next generation of flight. Design, build, and test system prototypes that push new technologies to their limits to prove their capability. Coordinate mechanical design efforts of a large multi-disciplinary team including technologists, engineers, and advanced manufacturing to find the shortest path between idea and test. A successful applicant will have previous hands on experience in mechanical design of turbomachinery, design for manufacturing, assembly, and test execution.

Job Description

Roles and Responsibilities

• Execute with limited guidance the mechanical design of complex test systems, prototypes, and technology demos incorporating a range of new technologies.

• Collaborate with systems engineers, researchers, and facilities focals to turn high level system goals and test objectives into detailed design requirements. 

• Plan and oversee the execution of design tasks for a multidisciplinary team of designers, analysts, and researchers

• Use engineering judgement to identify key design features to meet the testing goals and simplify non-critical features to accelerate time to test.

• Apply established design methodology as appropriate to create prototypes that properly model future products.

• Create new design methodologies as required to reduce new technology to practice.  Record lessons learned to inform future engineering teams. 

• Oversee manufacturing, assembly, and commissioning of prototypes and related test systems.

• Mentor and guide those less experienced in applied mechanical design.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited university or college.

• Minimum of 10 years total experience in mechanical design

  • Detailed hardware design from concept to manufacturing drawing

  • Design for manufacturing & assembly (DFMA)

  • Definition of component requirements for manufacturing teams and vendors

  • Proficiency in CAD

• Minimum of 5 years experience as design project leader for highly integrated application
  (Examples: Turbomachinery, aerospace, or similar complex multi-component system)

  • Create detailed component-level requirements to meet overall system goals

  • Technical project planning & coordination for large multi-disciplinary team

  • Conceptual design of systems outside industry experience

  • Integration of new technology into a system

  • Communication to working team, project leadership, and senior leadership

  • Root Cause Analysis (RCA) & Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)

• Must be willing to work onsite 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. 

Desired Characteristics

• Master’s degree in engineering from an accredited university or college

• Experience in prototype creation & testing

  • Design for test (prototype & test enabling hardware

  • Test facility integration

  • Test plan creation

  • Test safety management

  • Instrumentation and measurement

  • Hands-on assembly

  • Test execution

• Technical Communication

  • Generation and documentation of design processes

  • Communication with external customers, vendors, and partners

  • Coordination with on-site, remote, and global team members

• Application of Lean principles in design process

  • Continual improvement

  • Iterative design process

The base pay range for this position is $130,000 - $180,000 USD Annually. The specific pay offered may be influenced by a variety of factors, including the candidate’s experience, education, and skill set. This position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus based on a percentage of your base salary. This posting is expected to close on  March 31st, 2026.

Healthcare benefits include medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; access to a Health Coach, 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 Retirement Saving