What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Engineer, Internal Combustion Engine Performance position at INNIO?
Description
About INNIO Group:
INNIO Group is a global distributed energy solutions provider that delivers reliable, flexible, transient, decentralized, modular and efficient power. With a track record of innovation, INNIO designs, manufactures and services high‑performance power systems under its Jenbacher and Waukesha brands. The company delivers power for applications including data centers, microgrids, grid stabilization, industrial energy and gas compression.
INNIO operates a global installed base across approximately 100 countries as of December 31, 2025, supported by a resilient, high‑margin services business that delivers long‑term, recurring revenues across the full equipment lifecycle. As electricity demand accelerates—driven by AI, electrification and grid constraints—INNIO enables scalable, behind‑the‑meter power generation with high efficiency, fast start capability, strong transient performance and fuel flexibility, including hydrogen‑ready solutions. INNIO employs over 5,000 people worldwide and is committed to moving energy forward.
Position Overview:
The Senior Engineer, Combustion Engine Performance will specialize in combustion engine performance, focusing on the design, development, and optimization of advanced engine technologies to meet performance, efficiency, and regulatory requirements. In this role, the engineer will lead and execute product development activities, ensure technical alignment across functions and sites, and drive innovation within this critical domain. This position plays a key role in delivering high-performance solutions that support business and customer objectives.
This position will be based at our Houston, TX office.
Responsibilities:
Technical Expertise, Ownership and Accountability
• Plan, lead, and execute performance development and validation activities at customer sites
• Support engine commissioning and troubleshooting at customer site
• Analyze and resolve technical challenges encountered by project teams at customer locations
• Communicate effectively and deliver actionable recommendations through the analysis, preparation, and presentation of technical data to internal and external INNIO stakeholders
• Contribute to innovation by generating ideas for improved products, systems, and technologies, and support the creation of INNIO intellectual property
Planning and Project Management
• Set up and execute project & validation activities and monitor the status with involved parties to serve the needs of the business and the customer
• Define and execute work packages and tasks to improve products and technologies, support the planning process and analyze skill gaps within the business
• Support the Service Organization through technical training and expertise
Technical Expertise, Ownership and Accountability
• Plan, lead, and execute performance development and validation activities at customer sites
• Support engine commissioning and troubleshooting at customer site
• Analyze and resolve technical challenges encountered by project teams at customer locations
• Communicate effectively and deliver actionable recommendations through the analysis, preparation, and presentation of technical data to internal and external INNIO stakeholders
• Contribute to innovation by generating ideas for improved products, systems, and technologies, and support the creation of INNIO intellectual property
Planning and Project Management
• Set up and execute project & validation activities and monitor the status with involved parties to serve the needs of the business and the customer
• Define and execute work packages and tasks to improve products and technologies, support the planning process and analyze skill gaps within the business
• Support the Service Organization through technical training and expertise
Collaboration
• Foster an open and communicative team environment that encourages diverse perspectives and values critical-to-quality (CTQ) considerations
• Improve project efficiency through appropriate methods and processes – reducing duplication, minimizing handovers, and promoting task ownership
• Provide support and collaboration across internal engineering teams and external partners
• Act as a point of contact and facilitator for development teams in the USA and Europe
• Foster an open and communicative team environment that encourages diverse perspectives and values critical-to-quality (CTQ) considerations
• Improve project efficiency through appropriate methods and processes – reducing duplication, minimizing handovers, and promoting task ownership
• Provide support and collaboration across internal engineering teams and external partners
• Act as a point of contact and facilitator for development teams in the USA and Europe
Requirements:
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• Proven experience in the performance development and validation of internal combustion engines
• Proficiency in state-of-the-art engineering tools and methodologies used for controls development, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong hands-on approach with a willingness and ability to work engines at customer site
• Demonstrated project management capabilities to manage complex performance validation tasks and technically guide cross functional project teams
• Ability to travel up to 60% of the working time spent at customer sites
• Valid driver's license and passport
• Legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• Proven experience in the performance development and validation of internal combustion engines
• Proficiency in state-of-the-art engineering tools and methodologies used for controls development, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong hands-on approach with a willingness and ability to work engines at customer site
• Demonstrated project management capabilities to manage complex performance validation tasks and technically guide cross functional project teams
• Ability to travel up to 60% of the working time spent at customer sites
• Valid driver's license and passport
• Legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
• Knowledge of project management principles, including planning, execution, and monitoring
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively present technical information to senior management and customers
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative, team-oriented mindset
• Ability to lead and execute product development activities and ensure technical alignment across functions and sites
• Capability to define work packages, manage timelines, and guide cross-functional teams
• Ability to engage effectively across all organizational levels within the US and Headquarter in Jenbach / Austria
• Knowledge of project management principles, including planning, execution, and monitoring
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively present technical information to senior management and customers
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative, team-oriented mindset
• Ability to lead and execute product development activities and ensure technical alignment across functions and sites
• Capability to define work packages, manage timelines, and guide cross-functional teams
• Ability to engage effectively across all organizational levels within the US and Headquarter in Jenbach / Austria