Design Engineering Specialist

Caterpillar Inc.•East Peoria, IL

4d•$128,470 - $192,710•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. Hear about the Caterpillar Experience for yourself Track‑Type Tractor Drivetrain Engineering Specialist LPSD Integrated Drivetrain – TTT Platform Designs, develops, validates, and implements drivetrain components, subsystems, and technologies for Medium and Large Track‑Type Tractors. Provides technical leadership across design, validation, manufacturing, and supply chain to ensure product performance, quality, and supply continuity.

Requirements

Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.
Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
Project Management: Knowledge of effective project management strategies and tactics; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control projects, ensuring efficient utilization of technical and administrative resources to achieve project objectives.
Computer-Aided Design & Engineering: Knowledge of tools and techniques of specialized graphics programs; ability to produce, analyze, simulate and test product design drafts.
Product Development Life Cycle - MFG: Knowledge of the methodology and associated phases, activities and deliverables of product development life cycle in manufacturing organizations; ability to bring new or enhanced products to the marketplace.
Product Testing: Knowledge of product testing approaches, techniques and tools; ability to design, plan and execute testing strategies and tactics to ensure product quality at all stages of manufacturing.
Troubleshooting Technical Problems: Knowledge of troubleshooting approaches, tools and techniques; ability to anticipate, detect and resolve technical problems in a manufacturing or product development environment.

Nice To Haves

Drivetrain component or system design experience, ideally with heavy‑equipment or TTT applications
Strong supplier‑facing capability, including PPAP, APQP, capability studies, and deviation management
Proficiency with Creo, Teamcenter, PRWB, and Caterpillar BOM structures, or equivalent CAD/PLM systems
Cross‑functional leadership experience, driving alignment across design, validation, manufacturing, supply chain, purchasing, and global teams
Ability to manage supplier technical deliverables with clear expectations, data provenance, and reviewer‑ready documentation
Understanding of manufacturing engineering and assembly processes, including how design decisions affect build sequence, tooling, rework, and throughput
Awareness of facility operations, such as material flow, takt time, constraints, and the operational impact of engineering changes
Experience resolving factory and field issues, including collaboration with Service Engineering to translate field learnings into corrective actions
CPI and field‑issue closure discipline, with the ability to drive root‑cause analysis, corrective actions, and cross‑functional alignment
Systems thinking, with the ability to understand interactions across components, subsystems, and manufacturing processes
Ability to make risk‑based decisions, balancing speed, quality, and risk across NPI, CPI, and supplier‑related workstreams
Strong analytical and statistical skills, including capability interpretation and evidence‑based decision making
Clear, concise communication, producing accurate technical documentation and effectively engaging suppliers, factories, and leadership
NPI process rigor, including validation planning, gate deliverables, supplier readiness, and disciplined change control
Implementation discipline, with a track record of driving tasks to closure and maintaining accountability

Responsibilities

Develop design parameters, performance characteristics, and technical specifications for drivetrain components and systems that meet customer requirements and improve safety, quality, velocity, and cost
Lead the evolution of technical designs, validation strategies, and implementation plans across NTI, NPI, CPI, and Assurance of Supply workstreams
Guide supplier technical readiness, including capability assessments, PPAP reviews, APQP deliverables, and deviation management
Drive structured problem‑solving for factory, field, and supplier issues using data‑driven analysis, statistical methods, and traceable documentation
Monitor, evaluate, and integrate new technologies, materials, and manufacturing processes to identify product or process improvement opportunities
Support prototype builds, material selection, process optimization, and reliability testing; lead failure analysis and corrective action development
Ensure data provenance, traceability, and reviewer‑ready documentation for all technical decisions, capability studies, and supplier submissions
Coordinate engineering tasks with design, validation, manufacturing, supply chain, purchasing, and global teams
Provide technical leadership to buyers, supply specialists, and suppliers to improve performance, reduce risk, and maintain supply continuity
Support cost estimates, understand cost drivers, and incorporate cost‑impact considerations into design and supplier decisions
Develop and maintain functional requirements, detailed design documentation, and release packages in Teamcenter and PRWB