Kristopher Kapitzke

Principal Engineer @ Solar Turbines | Mechanical Engineering

San Diego, California, United States

About

Principal Engineer at Solar Turbines with over 8 years of experience specializing in advanced lifing methodologies, condition-based monitoring, and digital twin methods for gas turbine systems. Expertise includes leading initiatives that elevate system modeling fidelity, enhance predictive accuracy, and enable innovative solutions to improve operational efficiency and customer value. Dedicated to advancing digital twin capabilities, the team continuously integrates lifecycle forecasting tools and probabilistic methods to optimize turbine reliability. Motivated by a commitment to creative problem-solving and data-driven insights, the focus remains on delivering impactful results through collaboration and technical leadership.

Experience

  • Principal Engineer| Digital Twin Methods Development at Solar Turbines
    Oct 2024 - Present · 1 yr 9 mos

    - Provide expert consultancy and technical leadership in advanced lifing methodologies, condition based monitoring, new turbine design and product problem resolutions. - Continuously advance digital twin capabilities to elevate system modeling fidelity, enhance predictive accuracy, and drive customer value through improved operational insights.

  • Sr Design Engineer | Digital Twin Methods Development at Solar Turbines
    Oct 2022 - Sep 2023 · 1 yr

    - Directed and contributed to the research and development of probabilistic analytics, ROMs, and material modeling frameworks enhancing core analysis tools and enabling scalable, high-fidelity decision support for turbine reliability and lifecycle forecasting. - Delivered technical expertise to cross-functional teams focused on failure investigations, new design development, and risk mitigation for high-consequence components.

  • Solar Turbines (Full-time · 4 yrs 4 mos)
    • Engineer | Digital Twin Methods Development
      Oct 2019 - Sep 2021 · 2 yrs

      - Led comprehensive overhaul of engineering methods software suite architecture, boosting modularity and computational efficiency. Decreased overall development time from proof-of-concept to production by 50%. - Developed predictive algorithms that enhanced the reliability and usability of turbine components, enabling extended operational life and lowering maintenance costs

    • Staff Engineer | Digital Twin Methods Development
      Jan 2018 - Dec 2019 · 2 yrs

      - Built and solved transient structural FEA models of rotating turbine components. - Developed custom ANSYS APDL macros and automated pre/post-processing workflows. - Key contributor in the forensic investigation of a catastrophic turbine event, synthesizing field data and engineering analysis to develop risk-based intervention models that prioritized mitigation actions in operational fleet.

    • Associate Engineer | Heat Transfer Group
      Jun 2017 - Mar 2018 · 10 mos

      - Performed 1-D flow calculations on gas turbine cooling networks. - 3D thermal transient analysis of complex rotating turbine components. - Improved heat transfer boundary condition analysis tool by developing iterative link between 1D flow solver and 3D thermal analysis.

  • Physics Tutor at Fresno State Learning Center
    Jul 2016 - May 2017 · 11 mos

    -Assist students in improving academic achievement in the subject of Physics and related courses. (Engineering, Mathematics, etc) - Provide comprehensive study materials to help students better understand subject matter - Act as part of a comprehensive team to improve learning processes and outcomes.

  • Fuel Injector Development Co-Op at Cummins Inc.
    Jan 2016 - Aug 2016 · 8 mos

    - Responsible for concept, planning, design and implementation support for XPI Injector. - Validate products through testing and the analysis of results - Coordinate work with outside suppliers for capabilities not available within facility - Assisted with the transfer of knowledge; coach and mentor new interns - Performed hydraulic simulation, FEA and testing on new fuel system components - Assisted in design reviews of Next Gen Fuel System Components