Senior Mechanical Engineer - Gas Generation

About the role

Tract Capital adopts a unique approach to digital infrastructure investment, leveraging experience and strategic insights honed over three decades of creating successful companies in the space. The Senior Mechanical Engineer – Gas Generation owns mechanical and fuel-gas discipline design for behind-the-meter (BTM) generation solutions, developing the mechanical Basis of Design (BOD), leading vendor integration for balance-of-plant systems, and driving alignment with gas utilities to ensure safe, compliant, and scalable fuel delivery for mega-scale deployments.

Responsibilities

• Own mechanical and fuel-gas discipline design scope for BTM generation solutions, including reciprocating gas engines (RICE), turbine design, fuel cell design, and fuel-gas supply, pressure regulation, metering, filtration, exhaust, ventilation, and cooling interfaces as applicable.
• Develop and maintain the mechanical/gas Basis of Design (BOD), design standards, and typical details to enable repeatable deployments.
• Coordinate with gas utilities and service providers on capacity, pressure, metering, odorization, and interconnection requirements; support utility reviews and field readiness.
• Lead balance-of-plant vendor coordination (gas skids, piping, valves, regulators, exhaust systems, emissions-related hardware); ensure compliance to fleet standards and codes.
• Support hazard reviews (e.g., HAZOP/What-If), safety design (gas detection, ventilation, separation distances), and emergency response expectations.
• Define commissioning and acceptance requirements for mechanical/gas scope; support start-up, troubleshooting, and performance validation.
• Partner with EHS and environmental specialists on permitting and compliance considerations impacting mechanical and fuel systems.
• Support lifecycle planning and maintainability: access, isolation points, spares strategy inputs, and documentation quality for turnover to Operations.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.
• 8+ years in mechanical/gas systems engineering for industrial power generation, energy infrastructure, or mission-critical facilities.

Required Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on experience designing mechanical and fuel-gas systems for gas-fired generation (RICE, turbines, fuel cells) including regulation, metering, filtration, exhaust, and cooling.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain mechanical/fuel-gas Basis of Design (BOD), standards, and typical details that support repeatable, multi-site deployments.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating with gas utilities and service providers on capacity, pressure, metering, odorization, and interconnection requirements.
• Track record leading balance-of-plant vendor integration (gas skids, piping, valves, regulators, exhaust systems, emissions-related hardware) to meet codes and internal standards.
• Experience supporting hazard reviews, safety design, commissioning, and lifecycle planning for mechanical/gas systems, including start-up, troubleshooting, and turnover to Operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with natural gas utility interconnections and large-load fuel supply planning.
• Working knowledge of relevant codes/standards (e.g., NFPA 54, ASME piping, applicable local codes).
• Experience with emissions-related systems and interfaces (oxidation catalysts, SCR where applicable, monitoring).
• Field commissioning experience and strong vendor management skills.

Required Traits

• Integrity and Ethical Standards: Build trust, ensure fairness, and foster long-term, transparent relationships with suppliers.
• Effective Communication: Clearly convey expectations and requirements to suppliers and negotiation parties, while understanding their needs and concerns; comfortable delivering written and verbal presentations to internal leadership teams.
• Emotional Intelligence (EQ): Understand the emotions, cultural nuances, and motivations of others, while effectively managing one’s own emotions during high-pressure negotiations.
• Strategic Thinking: Recognize how supplier relationships and negotiations align with broader organizational goals, aiming for outcomes that benefit both parties.
• Critical Thinking Skills: Find innovative solutions and remain flexible in addressing unexpected challenges.
• Analytical Ability: Make data-driven decisions, assess cost structures, and identify potential risks to ensure informed and strategic outcomes.
• Influence and Persuasion: Advocate for position, build consensus, and secure favorable agreements without compromising relationships.
• Operational Paranoia: Anticipate risks, identify vulnerabilities, and proactively implement mechanisms to prevent and minimize disruptions and safeguard safety, security, availability, and scale.
• Relationship Management: Cultivate trust, collaboration, and long-term partnerships, building a broad network that provides valuable benchmarking, industry insights, and alternative sourcing options.

Location and Travel

Work location is flexible to Seattle, WA; Denver, CO; Austin, TX; or Alexandria, VA. Regular travel, as needed, to offices as well as to meet with vendors.

Pay

Expected Salary Range: $120,000 – $150,000 base salary + discretionary bonus.

Benefits

• 100% employer-covered medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) program.
• Standard paid holidays.
• Unlimited PTO.