Data & Controls Engineer

Caterpillar Inc.•Peoria, IL

1d•$89,210 - $133,810•Onsite

About The Position

Caterpillar's Earthmoving division is hiring for a Hydraulic Systems & Controls Engineer. As a Hydraulic Systems & Controls Engineer, you will support the design, development, validation, and continuous improvement of hydraulic systems and electro-hydraulic controls for Caterpillar Earthmoving products. This role blends components, systems, controls, and data analytics to deliver high-performance, reliable, and cost-effective system solutions. You will work with global cross-functional teams to translate machine-level requirements into robust, data-informed engineering solutions. You will also perform analytical tasks such as leading initiatives to generate insights from vehicle end-of-line data or connected assets that can help diagnose and improve hydraulic system performance and reliability.

Requirements

Analytical Thinking: Approaches complex hydraulic system challenges by breaking them into manageable components and identifying root causes. Uses data, testing results, and prior experience to evaluate performance, risks, and trade-offs between cost, quality, and reliability. Identifies multiple solution paths and selects the most effective approach based on structured analysis and sound engineering judgment.
Effective Communications: Communicates technical concepts clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Collaborates across cross-functional and global teams to drive alignment and achieve project goals. Prepares technical documentation and presentations, using strong communication skills to influence decisions, support recommendations, and resolve issues with internal partners and suppliers.
Technical Excellence: Knowledge of hydraulic systems and components as well as hands-on experience in testing. Knowledge of advanced technologies like AI, data analytics, and simulations. Ability to perform data analytics on connected asset data.
Product Design - MFG: Designs hydraulic components and systems with a focus on manufacturability, cost, and quality. Applies DFM/DFA and APQP principles to align designs with production capabilities and business objectives. Works closely with manufacturing, procurement, and suppliers to optimize designs, evaluate feedback, and drive improvements based on production and field performance.

Nice To Haves

Requires a bachelor’s degree (or international equivalent) or higher in mechanical Engineering discipline, along with engineering experience in hydraulics, controls and system simulation.
Knowledge of hydraulic system and components (including valves, cylinders, pumps, motors, and fluid routing systems) and their performance.
Experience in embedded control systems for mobile equipment or automotive applications.
Experience in Data Science, Data Engineering, Analytics Engineering, and Machine Learning disciplines.
Experience in system performance simulation and modeling.

Responsibilities

Validate hydraulic system performance through simulation, testing, and field validation activities.
Tune Hydraulic system controls on machine to meet hydraulic machine performance requirements.
Lead data gathering, data mining, data cleansing, and processing activities for end of line testing as well as connected assets.
Use data analytics, simulation and testing to diagnose hydraulic performance and reliability issues.
Ensure designs meet Caterpillar standards, regulatory requirements, and application Needs.
Diagnose and resolve any hydraulic system issues using on-machine testing.
Direct and participate in the concept, design and development of hydraulic systems and components (including valves, cylinders, pumps, motors, and fluid routing systems), ensuring products provide superior performance, durability, quality, and serviceability while meeting cost and delivery targets.
Collaborate with other engineers on development activities with internal and external suppliers of mechanical and electro-hydraulic components through New Product Development (NPI) or Continuous Product Improvement (CPI) programs.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams across manufacturing, purchasing, supply chain, validation, and simulation to deliver robust solutions.
Use your technical expertise, product knowledge and cutting-edge technologies to extract data from our products and systems and transform it into valuable insights to create integrated solutions that help customers solve their greatest challenges.