Logistics Automation Engineer

Caterpillar Inc.•Mossville, IL

9d•Onsite

About The Position

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. Job Summary: As a Logistics Automation Engineer, you will help design and deliver scalable intralogistics automation solutions across our plants and warehouses. Working closely with enterprise capability owners and cross‑functional teams, you will lead solution and architecture design, technical governance, and the development of MDP/MVP/MMP products, simulations, and system integrations. Your work will span key automation technologies such as AGV/AMR fleet management, conveyors and sortation, AS/RS, and goods‑to‑person systems, along with integration between WMS, WCS, LOS, ERP, and MES platforms. With a strong focus on standardization, replication, and sustainability, you will help enable enterprise‑ready automation solutions that drive operational excellence at scale.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Automation, Controls, Computer Science, Logistics Engineering, or a related field.
Analytical Thinking: Analyze intralogistics automation solutions across plants and warehouses, including AGV/AMR systems, AS/RS, conveyors/sortation, and goods‑to‑person technologies. Evaluate data from WMS/WCS/LOS and operational flows to identify performance gaps, constraints, and improvement opportunities. Compare solution alternatives to support scalable, standardized, and sustainable enterprise designs.
Decision Making & Critical Thinking: Support architecture and integration decisions for WMS/WCS/WES integrations with ERP/MES/APS, considering risk, complexity, and business impact. Apply structured thinking to integration approaches for reliable order, task, and event handling. Escalate complex technical or safety‑related decisions with clear analysis and recommendations.
Troubleshooting Technical Problems Troubleshoot routine automation and integration issues involving AGV/AMR fleet management, warehouse systems, and logistics automation equipment. Support diagnostics across OT/controls environments, including PLCs, sensors/actuators, industrial networks, and safety circuits. Identify and document integration, connectivity, or system behavior issues and support corrective actions with cross‑functional teams.
Effective Communications Develop clear architecture diagrams, interface definitions, and technical documentation to support governance and delivery. Communicate effectively with operations, IT, engineering, and vendors to align scope, responsibilities, and timelines. Drive execution through strong cross‑functional collaboration, clear status updates, and issue resolution.

Nice To Haves

Experience with simulation tools (e.g., Plant Simulation)
Familiarity with Warehouse Management system such as SAP WM/EWM, Blue Yonder, and Manufacturing Execution Systems such as SAP ME or PinPoint

Responsibilities

Discovery & Value Gemba walks and stakeholder interviews across production/logistics/warehouse/planning
Identify automation use cases: line‑side replenishment, WIP/finished/semi‑finished handling, empty tote return, inbound/outbound/cross‑dock, wave/merge, dock/yard, in‑plant transport
Quantify value: throughput/takt, waiting/transport waste, WIP, OTD, space utilization
E2E intralogistics solutions: AGV/AMR fleet, conveyors/sorters, palletizing/depalletizing, AS/RS, PTL/Put‑to‑Light, auto weigh/scan/vision, workstation integration (PLC/robotics)
Architect integrations: WMS/WCS/LOS and ERP/MES orders, tasks, states, events
Lead/support solution reviews, identify performance and integration risks
Drive commonality and reuse MDP/ MVP / MMP products development
Define success criteria (throughput, takt, availability, zero safety incidents, conflict rate, etc.)
Use simulation tools (e.g.Plant Simulation) for capacity and bottleneck analysis
Produce evaluation reports and phased rollout with switch/rollback plans
Coordinate go‑lives with OT/IT/Network/EHS/Maintenance/Operations
Create playbook as technical solution guideline including business requirements analysis, supplier base plan, architecture, lessons learn, best practices, safety & acceptance criteria, etc.