Engineering Specialist – Design

Caterpillar Inc.•Mossville, IL

2d•$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. The Engineering Specialist – Design provides deep technical leadership in performance, simulation, and advanced controls development for Load & Haul products, including Large Wheel Loaders, Articulated Trucks, Hard Rock Vehicles, and Wheel Tractor Scrappers. In this role, you define performance requirements, lead simulation‑driven product development, and deliver advanced controls solutions that strengthen Caterpillar’s competitive advantage. Your work directly influences machine productivity, fuel efficiency, operator experience, safety, and long‑term product durability across Resource Industries customers.

Requirements

Demonstrate ability to break down complex Load & Haul performance and controls issues into system‑level components, using simulation, modeling, and diagnostic tools to identify root causes and explain variances between predicted and measured machine behavior.
Ability to apply informed judgment by validating assumptions with simulation and field data, assessing multiple performance or controls options, and selecting solutions that balance customer value, system constraints, and NPI (New Product Introduction) requirements.
Knowledge of how to clearly communicate complex simulation results, controls behavior, and performance insights to engineers, technicians, and leadership, tailoring the message to the audience while maintaining clarity and technical accuracy.
Demonstrated capability to design and execute effective test plans, develop realistic test scenarios, and ensure strong simulation‑to‑test correlation for machine performance, fuel efficiency, and controls behavior.
Ability to diagnose and resolve complex multi‑system issues using simulation overlays, CAN data, calibration tools, and structured troubleshooting methods, addressing high‑impact performance or controls problems in factory, field, or proving‑ground environments.

Nice To Haves

A strong systems mindset across machine performance and controls.
Ability to connect simulation insights to real‑world machine behavior.
Experience tuning machine controls in proving ground or field environments.
Passion for delivering customer‑focused, high‑impact engineering solutions.
Ability to operate with high velocity in a complex, cross‑functional environment.

Responsibilities

Lead VPD (Virtual Product Development) and simulation analysis using Caterpillar proprietary models, simulations, and Simulink co-simulation to optimize machine performance and develop new controls features.
Analyze integrated machine models including earth‑tool interaction, hydraulics, cooling, powertrain, engine systems, productivity, and fuel efficiency.
Develop and tune advanced controls features that deliver lowest owning & operating costs, maximum uptime, operator ease of operation, and best‑in‑class safety.
Perform machine controls tuning and validation at proving grounds and customer sites to ensure performance targets are achieved.
Define and maintain system requirements across engine, electronics, hydraulics, software, and powertrain subsystems.
Resolve factory software calibration issues to ensure product quality and build readiness.
Investigate and resolve customer performance issues using Caterpillar diagnostic tools, structured problem solving, and simulation‑based root cause analysis.
Capture and document best practices for Load & Haul performance and controls, contributing to design guides and knowledge systems.
Partner with NPI (New Product Introduction) and Machine Integration teams to ensure performance and controls solutions align with program deliverables and customer expectations.