Hydraulic Systems - Design Engineer

Caterpillar Inc.•Mossville, IL

1d•$97,530 - $146,290•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 Hydraulic Systems Engineering team is seeking a Design Engineer to support the development of hydraulic components and systems across Resource Industries product lines, with design responsibility for subsystems including pumps, valves, cylinders, hoses, and fluid routing. This role focuses on component and system-level design, driving solutions that meet performance, reliability, quality, and cost targets. You will collaborate closely with manufacturing, purchasing, supply chain, validation, and simulation teams to deliver robust hydraulic systems on time and within budget. You will lead component selection and integration, translating machine requirements into effective designs and validating performance through simulation and testing. Working cross-functionally with cooling, drivetrain, installation, and controls teams, you will deliver optimized systems while supporting new product development, fleet improvements, and cost reduction initiatives.

Requirements

Requires a bachelor’s degree (or international equivalent) in an accredited Engineering or Materials Science discipline, along with progressive engineering experience.
Technical Excellence: Applies strong knowledge of hydraulic systems and components to develop effective technical solutions and resolve design challenges.
Demonstrates the ability to evaluate system performance, interpret validation results, and ensure designs meet Caterpillar standards for quality, reliability, and durability.
Continuously builds technical expertise in hydraulic systems, simulation, and validation methods while supporting testing and performance improvement efforts.
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.
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.

Responsibilities

Design and develop hydraulic components and system architectures to meet performance, reliability, and cost targets
Lead component selection and integration, including valves, cylinders, pumps, motors, and fluid routing systems
Translate machine and application requirements into effective component and system-level designs
Validate hydraulic system performance through simulation, testing, and field validation activities
Collaborate with cross-functional teams across manufacturing, purchasing, supply chain, validation, and simulation to deliver robust solutions
Partner with suppliers to define requirements, support component selection, and resolve design or quality issues
Support new product introduction (NPI), CPI, and APQP activities to ensure successful program execution
Troubleshoot and resolve hydraulic system performance, durability, and quality issues
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, including cost reduction, manufacturability, and product quality enhancements
Ensure designs meet Caterpillar standards, regulatory requirements, and application needs