Manager Engineering

Caterpillar Inc.•Pontiac, IL

1d•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. Role Definition: Responsible for improving manufacturing efficiency, safety, and quality through data driven analysis and process optimization. Leads projects in workflow design, line balancing, layout optimization, standard work development, cost reduction, and capacity planning. Collaborates closely with Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering to implement sustainable solutions that enhance throughput and support long term business growth. This role also includes ideating and deploying novel technologies and automation solutions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering curriculum.
Extensive experience in high volume, high complexity manufacturing functioning as an industrial or manufacturing engineer.
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. Explains tactical plan for own area. Defines concepts of short-term and long-term planning. Describes the planning process and planning cycle used in own area. Compares tactical to strategic planning.
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. Describes non-verbal behaviors that influence the interpretation of the message. Cites examples of effective and ineffective communications. Explains the importance of effective business communication. Speaks/writes using correct language, mechanics, and gestures.
Problem Solving: Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations. Explains the value of a disciplined approach to problem solving. Describes problem reporting and escalation practices. Utilizes accepted procedures for problem analysis and resolution. Identifies key aspects of problem-solving techniques used in own area.
Technical Excellence: Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges. Advises others on the assessment and provision of all technical solutions. Engages appropriate subject matter resources to effectively resolve technical issues. Mentors others to enhance their technical competence and its application to achieve more effective technical solutions. Coaches others in promoting, defining, analyzing, and providing superior technical solutions to business problems. Provides effective solutions to moderate technical challenges through strong technical competence, effectively examining implications of events and issues. Assumes accountability for personal technical performance and holds others responsible for theirs.
Project Management: Knowledge of effective project management strategies and tactics; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control projects, ensuring efficient utilization of technical and administrative resources to achieve project objectives. Provides input for Gantt or PERT charts or their equivalent to track project progress and status. Under guidance, plans and estimates simple projects. Assists in detailed project plans including cost, schedule, and resource requirements. Obtains information from stakeholders during the planning stage of a project. Produces standard project status reports.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Discrete Event Simulation (DES) for analyzing and optimizing operational processes.
Skilled in using Yamazumi charts to evaluate workloads and drive labor efficiency improvements.
Hands‑on experience facilitating Kaizen and Rapid Improvement Workshops (RIW) to support continuous improvement initiatives.
Knowledge of material‑flow logistics, including inbound and outbound movement, buffer design/management, and associated cost and quality considerations.

Responsibilities

Provide specialized engineering technical support and consulting services to various areas of the organization.
Manage high-impact, short and long duration engineering initiatives and projects; ensure achievement of engineering plan and product quality.
Maintain product release plans and material plans; drive programs to completion on time and within budget.
Lead Kaizen/RIW (rapid improvement workshops) aimed to identify material and labor flow waste and recommend methods to improve.
Engage with logistics, operations, engineering, and quality team to own plantwide labor & equipment utilization.