Sr. Engineer – Pipeline Infrastructure Operations

General Summary

GTI Energy, the nation’s leading research, development, deployment, and training organization serving energy markets, has an opportunity for an experienced Sr. Engineer within our Research & Engineering group. The qualified candidate will lead and support R&D initiatives focused on gas piping systems, material testing, and failure analysis, spanning early-stage technology development to field validation and testing. This role involves engaging with public and private partners, creating proposals, and executing projects that drive innovation and deliver value to the pipeline industry. The ideal candidate will have expertise in mechanical or related engineering fields, strong business knowledge in the natural gas industry, and the ability to solve complex problems through hands-on research in laboratory and field settings.

GTI Energy is located on an 18-acre site which houses professional and support staff, research equipment, and testing facilities to uniquely serve the natural gas and energy industries. GTI Energy offers the energy industry a depth of customized support unavailable in typical commercial laboratories. With over 80 years of experience in analysis and problem-solving solutions for the energy industry, GTI’s multidisciplinary staff of scientists, engineers, and technicians provides a full spectrum of comprehensive research services using state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation. Our areas of expertise include preliminary design and materials recommendations, quality control testing and implementation, new products development, management of existing and new pipeline systems, and failure analysis with corrective action.

Why GTI Energy?

GTI Energy is where complex energy challenges meet bold solutions. With expertise in energy research, technology development, and business innovation, partners across every sector trust us to build and demonstrate solutions for better-performing energy systems. Guided by systems thinking, collaboration, and innovation, we are focused on driving progress that matters for people everywhere.

Being part of the GTI Energy team means being surrounded by people that are passionate and purpose driven, empowered to continuously learn, ask hard questions, and leverage their knowledge and experience to drive toward a greater purpose.

We offer generous benefits, competitive salaries, opportunities for professional growth and career advancement. We prioritize and maintain a respectful culture, and we ensure reasonable accommodation is made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their role.

Work Location

The position will be based in the Chicagoland area at the GTI Energy Headquarters. While local candidates are preferred, GTI Energy provides relocation assistance for the right candidate. We offer a hybrid/core work week, where employees are remote Mondays and Fridays, and required to be on-site Tuesday through Thursday.

Primary Responsibilities

Perform R&D (Research & Development), manage engineers, create proposals, manage projects and initiatives for the Research Operations at GTI Energy. This includes receiving assignments as a principal investigator, and working independently, working part of a team, or leading a team and may include proposal management and project management. Project execution includes research spanning early-stage technology development to validation, testing, and demonstrations in the lab or in the field. The position will require engagement with a broad set of industry stakeholders and the ability to work with public and private partnerships. Below is a high-level overview of some of the primary responsibilities:

• Maintain a business/entrepreneurial mindset to lead and/or assist in the development of projects.
• Work in research areas focused on gas piping systems, material testing, and failure analysis.
• May also provide technical direction to subordinate staff such as technicians and collaborate with peers.
• Work independently on engineering problems and be capable of conducting work requiring independent judgement and evaluation.
• Assist in the development of materials testing protocols and forensic failure investigations.
• Apply engineering or basic science knowledge and testing techniques to solve customer’s problems.
• Possibly develop, propose and manage projects to the benefit of the pipeline industry.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics

• Prior experience in the pipeline industry with familiarity of established engineering and operational practices along with governing requirements.
• Display strong business knowledge and subject matter expertise in the natural gas industry.
• Fundamental knowledge in the areas of mechanical engineering or related engineering fields.
• Familiarity with failure analysis instruments and procedures.
• Technical ability to interpret test results and articulate them in writing a