Foundry Manufacturing Engineer

Caterpillar Inc.•Mapleton, IL

3d•$97,530 - $146,290•Onsite

About The Position

The Foundry Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for optimizing manufacturing processes, improving mold performance, supporting daily production operations, and leading capital and continuous improvement projects within a high-volume manufacturing environment. This role serves as a key technical resource for troubleshooting process challenges, implementing operational improvements, and supporting new product introductions. Working closely with production, maintenance, quality, and engineering teams, the Foundry Manufacturing Engineer drives safety, quality, productivity, cost reduction, and operational excellence initiatives while ensuring compliance with established manufacturing systems and governance processes.

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.
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.
Technical Excellence: Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.
Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Knowledge of design for manufacturability guidelines, methodologies, and use cases; ability to use this knowledge to optimize product designs and manufacturing operations.
Engineering - MFG: Knowledge of processes, techniques and methods of engineering in a manufacturing environment; ability to design and implement materials, structures, machines, devices, systems and processes that safely realize a desired objective or invention.
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

Caterpillar Manufacturing Experience: Preferred track record operating within Caterpillar manufacturing organizations and understanding how CAT works
Project Management: Demonstrated ability to lead manufacturing or facility projects across scope, schedule, and stakeholders
Capital Execution & NPI/NCI: Working knowledge of capital project execution, New Product Introduction, and change management processes
Foundry / Mold Process Awareness: Understanding of casting operations and mold performance is beneficial (not required, but a plus)
Automation & Mechanical Systems: Solid working knowledge of manufacturing automation, mechanical equipment, and equipment integration
Troubleshooting: Ability to investigate failures and implement corrective actions in a live production environment
Supplier Management: Experience leading technical discussions, driving spec changes, and managing supplier performance
Independent Execution: Ability to operate with minimal onboarding, tribal-knowledge navigation, and self-directed problem solving
Communication: Ability to work effectively across operations, engineering, and supplier teams in a fast-paced environment

Responsibilities

Investigate mold failures including breakage, handling issues, and poor release
Lead trials on materials, resin content, and handling methods
Implement improvements for cost, uptime, and ergonomics
Work directly with melt/cast deck teams during live production
Respond quickly to downtime events and process issues on the floor
Improve mold handling, storage, and operator usability
Execute work within Caterpillar capital project processes
Support NPI (New Product Introduction) and NCI/change management activities
Operate within standard Caterpillar manufacturing procedures and governance
Lead manufacturing and facility-related projects from concept through implementation
Manage project scope, schedule, and execution across multiple stakeholder groups
Track trials, open issues, and change activity to closure
Apply working knowledge of manufacturing automation and mechanical equipment
Support equipment integration and troubleshooting in an automated production environment
Balance project execution with day-to-day operational support