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Mechanical Engineer – Generator & Fuel Systems

GTI Fabrication, Buffalo, NY, United States


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

Operate as the primary mechanical owner of the complete generator product

Enclosure, Base Frame & Structural Packaging

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

Improve enclosure and frame designs to reduce rework, improve throughput, and enhance field installation success

Fuel Systems Engineering

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

Select pumps, filters, valves, sensors, level systems, and related hardware for reliable fuel system operation

Piping, Fluids & Reliability Engineering

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

Support troubleshooting of leaks, restrictions, pump issues, and field reliability concerns

Airflow, Thermal & Cooling Performance

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

Support thermal validation through testing, instrumentation, and real-world performance analysis

Exhaust Systems & Emissions Integration

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

Ensure exhaust systems meet thermal, durability, and service access requirements

Manufacturing Integration & Design for Manufacturing

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

Support BOM accuracy, drawing quality, revision control, and release discipline

Testing, Validation & Problem Solving

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

Fix real-world issues through engineering ownership, not model-only updates

Cross-Functional Collaboration

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

Participate in customer design reviews and technical discussions when required

Required Qualifications

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

Strong ability to solve practical engineering problems in manufacturing environments

Preferred Qualifications

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

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