Quality Engineer / SME Gas Turbines (USA)

RINA is looking for a Quality Engineer / SME Gas Turbines (Power Generation Projects)

Experience Level: 12+ years
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering preferred; extensive relevant experience acceptable in lieu of degree
Location: Houston, TX with periodic travel to project sites
Assignment Type: Full-time project-dedicated Quality Engineer 

Position Overview

The Quality Engineer will serve as a key member of the Project Quality Team for a large-scale power generation project supporting a data center in West Texas. The role focuses on engineering quality management, project quality planning, design assurance, contractor capability evaluation, and readiness verification across all phases of engineering and construction.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience in power plant engineering (combined cycle, simple cycle, gas turbines, electrical distribution, and balance-of-plant systems) and will function as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on Gas Turbines—supporting design reviews, OEM coordination, readiness assessments, and quality oversight for all turbine‑related engineering scopes.

The candidate must demonstrate proven competence in developing and implementing Quality Plans, reviewing engineering deliverables, evaluating EPC contractors, and executing engineering quality audits.

Key Responsibilities

1. Engineering & Design Quality Management

• Lead development, implementation, and maintenance of project-specific Quality Management Plans (QMP/QPMP) in alignment with industry codes, project requirements, and OEM specifications.
• Review and verify engineering deliverables including design criteria, drawings, specifications, models, P&IDs, one-lines, equipment datasheets, and vendor documentation.
• Participate in Design Assurance activities, including design reviews, design readiness assessments, risk evaluations, and critical engineering milestone verification.
• Serve as the project’s Gas Turbine Subject Matter Expert, ensuring all GT‑related engineering packages, OEM documentation, performance data, and interface requirements meet technical and quality standards.
• Ensure engineering work complies with applicable industry standards, regulatory codes, and OEM requirements.

2. Technical Readiness & Contractor Capability Assessment

• Perform structured technical readiness assessments for engineering contractors, OEM suppliers, and EPC firms.
• Evaluate vendor engineering packages, FAT requirements, quality surveillance strategies, and ITPs—with specialized scrutiny of gas turbine systems, auxiliary systems, and controls.
• Support owner/OEM/EPC alignment for GT design, installation sequencing, testing philosophies, and commissioning readiness.
• Identify execution gaps and recommend corrective or preventive actions.

3. Quality Planning & Risk Management

• Develop and maintain project quality plans, engineering quality checklists, inspection and test strategies, and risk‑based surveillance plans.
• Lead identification of quality risks, especially those related to gas turbine integration, OEM documentation, and balance‑of-plant interfaces.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain and Engineering to ensure vendor documentation, QA requirements, and technical deliverables meet contract obligations.

4. Audits, Surveillance & Compliance

• Plan and conduct engineering quality audits, supplier audits, design verification audits, and process compliance checks.
• Oversee design‑phase surveillance activities to confirm engineering outputs are ready for procurement or construction.
• Track and close nonconformances, deviations, concessions, and corrective actions related to engineering deliverables.
• Provide SME oversight for gas turbine‑related NCRs, field engineering issues, OEM deviations, and corrective action plans.

5. Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with project management, engineering leads, construction quality teams, supply chain, and OEMs (e.g., GE Vernova, Solar Turbines).
• Act as the Owner’s Gas Turbine SME in technical meetings, OEM reviews, readiness discussions, and milestone gate assessments.
• Support alignment between Owner, EPC, and OEM quality expectations.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• 15+ years of experience in Quality Engineering or Engineering Management for large‑scale power plant projects (CCGT, simple cycle, gas turbines, substations, BESS, etc.).
• Demonstrated Subject Matter Expertise in Gas Turbines, including design, operation, major components, auxiliary systems, and controls.
• Strong understanding of ASME, API, IEEE, NEC/NFPA, ISO, NEMA, and other standards.
• Significant experience reviewing engineering designs and performing design assurance and readiness validation.
• Experience developing Quality Plans, ITPs, engineering surveillance plans, design review procedures, and contractor capability evaluations.
• Ability to conduct structured engineering quality audits and lead issue resolution.
• Excellent communication skills across Owner–OEM–EPC interfaces.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, or related engineering discipline.
• Experience with GE, Solar Turbines, Siemens or other major OEM engineering documentation and quality processes.
• Background in both Owner‑side and EPC or OEM engineering quality workflows.
• Familiarity with data centers, high‑availability power design, and grid‑interconnected systems.

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