Laboratory / Support Engineer

Caterpillar Inc.•Green Valley, AZ

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Laboratory / Support Engineer provides advanced hands-on technical support to product development and test teams by executing complex instrumentation, testing, data acquisition, and analysis activities. This role supports the validation of new and existing machine systems and plays a key part in ensuring accurate, high-quality test data that informs engineering decisions. This position is well suited for an experienced instrumentation professional who routinely owns complex test setups and enjoys working directly with machines, test systems, and data in laboratory, shop, and field environments while collaborating closely with engineers, mechanics, operators, and other technical teams.

Requirements

5+ years of hands-on instrumentation and/or data acquisition experience supporting complex test or development programs.
Proven experience supporting product testing, validation, or development activities.
Ability to work effectively and independently in laboratory, shop, and field-testing environments.
Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Executes instrumentation, wiring, and technical documentation with a high level of precision, consistently delivering reliable and repeatable results.
Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Organizes data and observations to support sound technical decisions, weighing risks, benefits, and alternatives during testing and development activities.
Effective Communication: Produces clear technical reports and delivers concise updates that support effective cross-team collaboration.
Technical Excellence: Applies strong technical judgment to resolve routine and complex development and testing challenges while remaining current on tools, procedures, and technologies.
Product Testing Expertise: Executes test procedures accurately and documents results that support engineering validation and compliance requirements.
Troubleshooting Technical Problems: Identifies early indicators of technical issues and applies structured troubleshooting approaches to resolve problems efficiently during testing or prototype builds.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in an ISO 17025-accredited test laboratory.
Extensive experience with Somat or Dewesoft data acquisition systems.
Extensive knowledge with instrumentation used at Tucson Proving Ground.
Accredited technical associate degree or equivalent hands-on experience.

Responsibilities

Lead hands-on instrumentation and data acquisition activities in support of product testing and validation programs, including New Product Introduction (NPI) and CPI efforts.
Install, configure, and validate instrumentation on complex machine systems involving hydraulic, electrical, structural, and mechanical components.
Monitor and manage hundreds of real-time data channels during lab and field testing, identifying signal issues, anomalies, or data-integrity concerns.
Execute advanced data acquisition and analysis using systems such as eDAQ TCE, DewesoftX, DatK, or similar platforms to confirm instrumentation accuracy and system behavior.
Diagnose and troubleshoot instrumentation and machine performance issues using data-driven analysis and sound technical judgment.
Partner closely with engineers, mechanics, and operators to align test objectives, resolve technical issues, and ensure instrumentation setups meet test requirements.
Verify instrumentation functionality and ensure test documentation comply with established procedures and ISO 17025 requirements.