Manufacturing Controls Engineer

Caterpillar•Decatur, IL

13d•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. As a Manufacturing Controls Engineer, you will provide technical expertise to design and improve manufacturing performance across production, cost, quality, safety compliance, and environmental requirements. You will lead enhancements to complex equipment and processes, monitor reliability to eliminate downtime and chronic losses, and coach operations technical staff and support teams to strengthen capability on the shop floor. This role is ideal for a hands-on manufacturing engineer who thrives in a high-visibility plant environment, blends structured problem solving with practical engineering, and enjoys turning data into sustainable process improvements.

Requirements

In-depth knowledge of API integration
Experience in IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) deployment and leadership
Siemens and Allen-Bradley software skills
Knowledge of embedded A.I. technologies
Experience with Robotics (Fanuc, ABB, Kuka, Cloos)
Manufacturing Engineering (Manufacturing Environment): Ability to design and implement manufacturing processes safely and effectively, following standards, policies, and practices.
Manufacturing Processes: Ability to execute, plan, manage, and monitor manufacturing processes; document standards; and integrate new technologies into existing processes.
Lean Manufacturing: Ability to apply lean principles and tools to improve flow, reduce waste, and strengthen work cell design and performance measurement.
Problem Solving + Critical Thinking: Ability to organize data, clarify priorities, evaluate alternatives, and use diagnostic tools to drive durable countermeasures.
Project Management: Ability to help build detailed project plans (cost/schedule/resources), gather stakeholder inputs, and produce standard status reports.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA): Working knowledge of developing/deploying automation solutions, analyzing workflows, testing, and using common RPA platforms (examples listed include Pega, Automation Anywhere, Blue Prism, UiPath).

Responsibilities

Defines software and hardware requirements to control and enhance production equipment and processes in collaboration with manufacturing and quality engineering.
Selects and leads the implementation of new control devices and sensors into IIoT platforms and manufacturing execution systems
Creates, trouble-shoots, and modifies PLC programming and ladder logic of production equipment to optimize manufacturing performance
Leads and supports automation projects with complex systems designs and integrated controls software
Monitors advanced equipment performance and process reliability; applies mature problem-solving skills to improve consistency and repeatability
Provides technical expertise and guidance in major manufacturing projects, working with internal/external suppliers to support/improve manufacturing productivity and cost effectiveness.