Senior Fea Engineer Jobs in Highlands Ranch, CO (NOW HIRING)

About Barber-Nichols:

Barber-Nichols (BN) is a premier provider of custom turbomachinery solutions serving the Defense, Aerospace, Cryogenics, and Energy industries. Our team consists of industry leaders who collaborate closely with equally accomplished customers to deliver technologies that advance their markets and establish enduring partnerships. At BN, we foster a results-driven environment that values professional growth, rewards achievement, and supports innovation. From designing the blower for NASA’s Dragonfly mission to Saturn’s moon Titan to engineering critical components for the U.S. Navy’s MK-48 program, BN’s portfolio spans some of the most exciting and impactful projects in the world. For those seeking to contribute to impactful projects alongside a highly skilled team, BN offers an exceptional place to build your career.

Position Summary:

The Senior Engineer is a technical leader responsible for delivering advanced engineering solutions in electromechanical turbomachinery design and analysis. This role performs complex engineering tasks, provides technical judgment, and integrates structural, thermal, and rotordynamic considerations into robust subsystem designs. Senior Engineers take ownership of major work packages and may lead projects, coordinating engineering activities across teams. They also mentor early-career engineers and drive continuous improvement in engineering practices.

Key Results Areas:

1. Advanced Engineering and Technical Leadership

• Execute engineering analysis and design of increasingly challenging assignments with only high-level oversight by more senior engineers as part of the engineering and design process, with the ability to independently identify and deliver the appropriate deliverable for a given technical task efficiently
• Performs challenging calculations involving heat transfer, structural and rotating component stress analysis, aero/hydrodynamics, cycle analysis, component sizing, etc.
• Coordinates component and/or rig testing, prepares results and suggests conclusions.
• Reviews designs and drawings to ensure they conform to project specifications and requirements.
• Completes challenging analysis using FEA, CFD, hand calculations, or other engineering methods with only high-level oversight by more senior engineers.
• Drives problem resolution and tool improvement through working with project and cross functional teams.
• Proven ability to lead and support testing, validation, qualification, and acceptance activities to ensure products meet or exceed all technical and customer requirements.

2. Project Leadership and Cross-Functional Integration

• Ability to guide project team through the technical execution of clean-sheet turbomachinery efforts in close collaboration with senior engineering leadership.
• Assist in or lead project activities working cross-functionally, creating and maintaining project budgets, schedules, risk management, requirements management, and the design review process, including customer meetings and communication.
• Prepare and present design documentation, analysis reports, and review materials.
• Additional responsibilities may include component test support and data analysis, design tool verification and documentation, design guideline creation, management and customer presentations, design review support, and more.

3. Collaboration and Continuous Improvement

• Act as the technical interface within assigned projects between customers, internal teams, and suppliers.
• Mentor less experienced engineers providing technical coaching and review.
• Contribute to the development of engineering standards, methods, and best practices.
• Champion continuous improvement in tools, workflows, and first-time-right execution.
• Provide effective communication and teamwork to successfully function as part of the project team.
• Work closely with analysts, designers, and cross-functional teams to ensure designs integrate correctly.
• Support troubleshooting during manufacturing, testing, and prototype builds.

Minimum Qualifications

To qualify for this position, an individual must possess the knowledge, training, experience and abilities listed:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 10 years of engineering experience in product design and development.
• Experience performing engineering calculations and analyses (stress, thermal, vibration, etc.).
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more analysis areas (FEA, thermal, bearings, rotordynamics, etc.)
• Proficiency with FEA and/or CFD tools (ANSYS, CFX, or equivalent).
• Proven ability to own subsystem-level engineering tasks through completion.
• Strong communication and leadership skills, with ability to present technical material to internal and external customers and mixed audiences.
• Ability to serve as technical lead or project lead on engineering work packages.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Deep technical expertise in areas such as Rotordynamics, heat transfer, bearings, seals, or structural design.
• Demonstrated leadership of engineering teams or subsystem-level projects.
• Hands-on experience with prototype builds, hardware testing, and data correlation with analysis.
• Familiarity with turbomachinery system integration, including aero/hydro, manufacturing, and test methods.
• Active professional licensure (PE) or advanced certifications in mechanical engineering disciplines.
• Experience with turbomachinery, rotating machinery, or high-speed mechanical systems.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD modeling and advanced drafting.
• Working knowledge of GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
• Experience coordinating tasks across multiple engineering and cross-functional disciplines.
• Demonstrated mentorship of less-experienced engineers.

Skills:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must have proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, project management, enterprise resource planning, database, and specialized engineering application software such as SolidWorks; the ability to learn analytical software such as ANSYS, CFX, etc.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations. Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, and analysis.
• Ability and willingness to abide by set policies and/or safety programs established by BN, our clients, and/or regulatory agencies which govern our performance and behavior in the normal course of our work while on BN or the client’s property or job site.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• High attention to detail.
• Ability to successfully plan and implement objectives within established timelines and work schedules.
• Ability to analyze problems and develop effective solutions at both strategic and functional levels.
• Demonstrate behavior consistent with company values.
• Ability to work independently, with minimal direction as a highly motivated self-starter and within a team-oriented culture.

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range for this role is $120,000 - $160,000 and is commensurate with the applicant’s experience. This range represents the anticipated minimum and maximum base for this position. The final compensation for this position will be set based on the applicant’s qualifications (education, training and/or experience related to this role), and therefore, may fall outside the range shown, depending on the circumstances.

Barber-Nichols offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• FSA and HSA with company paid HSA quarterly contributions
• Disability, Life, and AD&D Insurance
• 401(k) with 4% Company Match and Profit Sharing
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (NYSE: GHM)
• Generous PTO and Paid Holidays with an option to purchase additional PTO
• Tuition reimbursement
• Performance-based bonus program
• Paid Parental Leave, Military Leave, Jury Duty, and Bereavement Leave

To view our full list of benefits, please visit Careers - Barber-Nichols.

ITAR Requirements: To conform to U.S. Government commercial space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), applicants for employment at Barber-Nichols must be a U.S. citizen or national, lawfully admitted for permanent residence into the U.S. (i.e., current green card holder), or lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. § 1157-1158. Security clearance is not required for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Barber-Nichols is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to a workplace free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other protected status as defined by law. Barber-Nichols will ensure individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Barber-Nichols participates in E-Verify, the federal program for electronic verification of employment eligibility.