Solar Turbines Internships: Launching Your Career in Global Energy

Solar Turbines, a subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., is a global leader in energy technology and solutions. They design, manufacture, and service industrial gas turbines for power generation, gas compression, and mechanical drive applications. With a strong commitment to innovation, sustainability, and employee development, Solar Turbines offers a range of internship opportunities for students and recent graduates looking to gain hands-on experience in a dynamic and challenging environment.

Why Choose a Solar Turbines Internship?

A Solar Turbines internship provides invaluable exposure to real-world engineering and business challenges. Interns are integrated into project teams, working alongside experienced professionals to develop and implement innovative solutions. The company emphasizes a culture of collaboration, individual contribution, and safety, creating a supportive and engaging environment for interns to learn and grow.

Dr. Dudley “DJ”, a Combustion Technology Fuel Specialist at Solar Turbines, exemplifies the success that can come from starting with an internship. Having completed four internships at Caterpillar and Solar Turbines during his Ph.D. journey, DJ highlights the supportive nature of the company, stating that "Every manager and team member was always there to answer any questions I had and help overcome every obstacle along the way." His story showcases the company's dedication to fostering talent and providing opportunities for career advancement.

Solar Turbines values individual contributions and encourages diversity in the workplace. By joining their "One Team," interns have the opportunity to contribute to the company’s sustainability and carbon reduction efforts.

Application Process: Getting Started

To explore internship opportunities at Solar Turbines, prospective candidates should:

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Visit the Careers Page: Navigate to the Solar Turbines Careers page and click "Search Jobs." This will direct you to the online Workday application platform.
Create an Account: Create an account on the Workday platform to browse available positions and submit your application.
Search for Opportunities: Use keywords like "internship," relevant engineering disciplines (e.g., "Mechanical Design Engineer"), and desired location (e.g., "San Diego") to narrow your search.
Apply Online: To be considered for a specific internship, you must apply online and meet the minimum qualifications outlined in the position posting.

Solar Turbines recommends providing as much information as possible in your application, paying close attention to the minimum qualifications listed in the job posting. Highlighting your interest in Solar Turbines and the specific role is also crucial. Researching the company and understanding its products and values will help you demonstrate your genuine enthusiasm.

Application Tips for Success

Demonstrate Your Passion: Solar Turbines wants to know why you are interested in their company and the specific role. Clearly articulate your motivations and how your skills and experiences align with the position requirements.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Carefully review the job description and emphasize the skills and experiences that match the requirements. Provide specific examples of how you have demonstrated these skills in previous academic or extracurricular activities.
Research Solar Turbines: Familiarize yourself with Solar Turbines' products, services, and values. This will enable you to tailor your application and demonstrate your understanding of the company's mission and goals.
Proofread Carefully: Ensure your application is free of grammatical errors and typos. A well-written and error-free application demonstrates attention to detail and professionalism.

Key Considerations

Multiple Applications: You can use the same application to apply for multiple positions. The "Use my profile" option allows you to auto-fill fields from your previous application.
Response Time: Solar Turbines cannot guarantee a specific response time for applications. The evaluation process and timeline vary for each position.
International Opportunities: You can apply for positions located internationally. Some positions are preapproved to sponsor visas, while others require applicants to be currently eligible to work in the country where the position is located.
Relocation Assistance: Solar Turbines offers relocation assistance for many positions, but some opportunities are only for local candidates.

Products and Impact

Solar Turbines' products play a vital role in the development of oil, natural gas, and power generation projects worldwide. Their product portfolio includes:

Gas turbine engines (rated from 1,590 to 52,500 horsepower)
Gas compressors
Gas turbine-powered compressor sets
Mechanical-drive packages
Generator sets (ranging from 1 to 39 megawatts)

These products are utilized in diverse and challenging environments, from offshore platforms to remote compressor stations. For example, Taurus 60 gas turbines provide reliable power to SBM Offshore's platforms and FPSOs around the world. In the Midwestern United States, Southern Star operates a Centaur 50 and C33 compressor set at their compressor station in Blackwell, OK, to provide reliable natural gas and energy to businesses and residents.

The Mars gas turbine engine, a significant innovation, has been shipped to hundreds of customers in over 70 countries. Impressively, over 85% of these engines are still operational, showcasing their durability and reliability.

A Commitment to Sustainability

Solar Turbines is dedicated to environmental compliance and sustainability. By joining the Solar Turbines team, interns have the opportunity to contribute to the company's sustainability and carbon reduction efforts. This commitment aligns with the growing global focus on cleaner energy solutions and provides interns with the chance to make a positive impact on the environment.

Diversity and Inclusion

Solar Turbines is an EEO/AA Employer, encouraging all qualified applicants - including minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities - to apply. The company participates in E-Verify, confirming work authorization for all new employees. They value individual contributions and emphasize safety in all aspects of the business.

Employee Perspectives

Employees at Solar Turbines consistently highlight the company's "one team" mentality, where everyone works towards the same goal of customer success. The supportive and collaborative environment fosters professional growth and development.

One employee who joined Solar Turbines after completing a Masters in Mechanical Engineering stated, "What I enjoy most about working here is the ‘one team’ mentality, in that everyone is working towards the same end goal; to make our customers successful. Everyone is always willing to help each other out and support each other when needed."

Another employee who started their professional career at Solar Turbines shared, "Since then, I have gained and grown so much in terms of my engineering and manufacturing prowess."

Examples of Innovation

Solar Turbines has a rich history of innovation. Back in 1996, two 7,000 horsepower Taurus 60M marine gas turbines were used to power high-speed TriCat ferryboats, propelling them up to 58 mph and making them the fastest commercial vessels in North America at the time. More recently, a Titan 350 gas turbine, producing 38 MW of power, was shipped to a customer site from the company's facilities in San Diego, CA.

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