Manager Engineering - Product Development & Facility Operations

Caterpillar Inc.•Clayton, NC

21h•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. Caterpillar’s BCP division is hiring an Engineering Manager - Product Development & Facility Operations supporting product development operational activities at the Clayton Machine Development Center (CMDC) and Sanford Machine Development Center (SMDC). Role Summary: The Engineering Manager – Product Development & Facility Operations leads and directs managers and individual contributors across two teams located at the CMDC and SMDC, who are responsible for safe, efficient, and consistent execution of product development operational activities across the full product lifecycle, from concept through production. The teams are responsible for planning and execution of prototype concepting, fabrication, assembly; logistics; and machine operation during product development tuning, testing, validation, and endurance. Additional responsibilities include management of facility-based activities, repairs & maintenance, and improvement & capital projects. This position provides day-to-day operational leadership and direction, as well as longer-term strategic direction for product development operations and facilities at CMDC & SMDC. Key responsibilities include workforce and capacity planning; operational execution and safety; facility oversight, compliance, repair, & maintenance; and continuous improvement. The role drives alignment and efficiency across facilities through implementation of common processes, training, tools, and resource sharing, while maintaining responsiveness and flexibility required in product development environments. The role partners closely with Product Development Engineering (Testing), Design, Validation, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and EHS teams to deliver business, safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives. This role required visible leadership and regular presence at both sites to build strong cross functional relationships, ensure effective communication, and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related fields
Planning: Tactical, Strategic: Knowledge of effective planning techniques and ability to contribute to operational (short term), tactical (1-2 years) and strategic (3-5 years) planning in support of the overall business plan.
Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
Technical Excellence: Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.
Communicating for Impact: Knowledge of concepts, tools and techniques for effective listening and communicating; ability to apply these theories to receive, transmit and accurately interpret information and ideas to influence others in various situations.
Customer/Market Focus: Understanding of the importance of remaining aware of shifting market priorities and ability to respond to internal and external customer needs in a manner that consistently adds value.
Managing People: Knowledge of processes involved in managing people; ability to lead successful teams and diligently address issues related to performance and conflicts at the workplace.
Collaborating Globally: Knowledge of effective collaboration techniques and ability to build networks with people from different countries and cultures, think and work with them to bring positive impact and flourishing business results.
Influencing Through Expertise: Knowledge of effective influencing tactics and strategies; ability to use these to deepen own expertise and impact or challenge decisions within and outside own organization.

Nice To Haves

Progressive engineering and operations leadership experience in product development environments.
Experience managing and driving standardization and continuous improvement across multiple sites and teams.
Experience blending separate organizations and operational procedures together

Responsibilities

Lead and manage multi‑disciplinary technical teams, including technicians, technologists, fabricators, logistics personnel, and construction equipment machine operators across CMDC and SMDC.
Ensure safe, efficient execution of product development operations supporting machine builds, testing, validation, fabrication, logistics, & facility-based activities.
Drive alignment and standardization of processes, tools, and best practices across sites to improve safety, efficiency, and resource utilization.
Build strong, engaged teams through clear communication, coaching, mentoring, and consistent performance management, with a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and focus on customer satisfaction.
Partner with product and system design, validation, testing, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and EHS teams to deliver short and long-term objectives.
Monitor and improve operational performance across safety, quality, delivery, and cost, leading resolution of operational, product, and facility related issues.
Lead tactical and strategic planning efforts, including workforce planning, capacity management, and development and execution of multi‑year development plans (MGPPs) for both facilities.
Establish data driven performance metrics (KPIs), analytics, and planning tools to forecast workload, manage schedules, and support proactive, informed decisions.