Design Engineer – Mechanical / Electrical

Caterpillar•Decatur, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc. When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it. Design Engineer – Mechanical / Electrical Load & Haul Products | Caterpillar Resource Industries. You will have the opportunity to join the Load and Haul Electrical Installation team, responsible for mechanically integrating electrical solutions across Large Wheel Loaders, Compactors, Wheel Tractor Scrapers, Underground Vehicles, and Articulated Trucks. As a Design Engineer, you will lead electrical installation projects with a strong mechanical focus, ensuring electrical systems are effectively packaged, protected, and integrated within complex application environments. You’ll work across the full product lifecycle—from early concept through production—collaborating closely with mechanical, electrical system, manufacturing, and supplier teams. This role is ideal for Mechanical Engineers with experience in vehicle systems, structures, packaging, routing, and integration, as well as Electrical Engineers who enjoy working at the intersection of both disciplines.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related accredited engineering discipline.
Analytical Thinking: Ability to identify root causes and develop effective technical solutions across electrical and mechanical domains.
Effective Communication: Capability to clearly convey technical concepts across disciplines and organizational levels.
Managing Multiple Priorities: Proven ability to manage concurrent projects and make effective tradeoff decisions.
Technical Excellence: Strong understanding of mechanical and/or electrical systems and how they interact within complex products.
Computer-Aided Design & Engineering: experience with Creo, Vis View, and Teamcenter.
Product Design for Manufacturing: Knowledge of manufacturing processes, installation methods, and design-for-assembly principles.
Product Design & Development: Ability to design, develop, and deliver integrated systems from concept through production.

Nice To Haves

Experience with heavy equipment or mining applications.
Background in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or integrated systems design.
Hands-on experience with vehicle systems integration, including routing, packaging, structural interfaces, and installation design.
Proven ability to lead multiple engineering projects from concept through production in a cross-functional environment.
This role is not limited to pure electrical designs. Success depends heavily on mechanical aptitude—how electrical content survives, fits, routes, mounts, and performs within large, high-duty-cycle machines. Mechanical Engineers with experience in vehicle integration, structures, packaging, and durability will thrive here.

Responsibilities

Lead the mechanical design and integration of electrical systems within complex vehicle platforms, ensuring robust routing, protection, and packaging.
Design and develop components, brackets, harness routing paths, enclosures, and installation schemes that balance electrical performance with mechanical durability.
Own cost, quality, validation, and schedule for assigned projects.
Collaborate with suppliers to ensure manufacturability, serviceability, and lifecycle efficiency.
Partner with manufacturing teams to address assembly feasibility, tolerance stack-up, and installation repeatability.
Assist supply specialists and buyers with supplier development and performance improvement.
Drive collaboration across product development, value chain, manufacturing, commercial, and product support organizations.
Lead and participate in design reviews, ensuring conformance to electrical and mechanical design standards and best practices.
Organize, coordinate, and execute prototype builds, testing, and analysis, including fit, form, function, and durability assessments.