Manufacturing Engineer - CNC Programmer

Caterpillar•East Peoria, IL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Manufacturing Engineer - CNC Programmer provides technical expertise to improve the safety, quality, cost, reliability, and efficiency of complex manufacturing operations. The role evaluates production equipment and processes, identifies improvement opportunities, and implements sustainable engineering solutions. It combines hands-on manufacturing support with lean manufacturing, process improvement, equipment reliability, collaborative automation, and project execution. The engineer works with operations, technical teams, and support functions to address manufacturing challenges and strengthen production capability, using data, engineering judgment, and structured problem-solving to turn operational needs into practical results. The position is based in East Peoria, Illinois, with travel up to 5%. Relocation assistance is available; visa sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

Working knowledge of manufacturing engineering methods, equipment, specifications, standards, and practices, with the ability to support the design, installation, maintenance, or improvement of production processes.
Ability to create, evaluate, and optimize manufacturing processes and CNC programs, including process controls, manufacturing standards, production activities, and deliverables, while driving adoption of modern manufacturing technologies.
Ability to gather and organize relevant information, define problems, consider stakeholder perspectives, evaluate risks and benefits, and recommend productive solutions.
Working knowledge of lean principles, work-cell considerations, waste reduction, lean assessment tools, and measures of manufacturing effectiveness.
Ability to contribute to project plans, cost and schedule estimates, resource requirements, progress tracking, stakeholder coordination, and status reporting.
A degree or equivalent practical experience is desired.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting manufacturing equipment, production processes, factory operations, or process improvement in a complex or high-volume manufacturing environment.
Experience with Creo and NX NC programming, including toolpath development, program verification, post-processor evaluation and modification, and machining process optimization.
Experience with collaborative automation, collaborative robots, robot risk assessments, automation testing, or deployment of automated manufacturing solutions.
Familiarity with manufacturing problem-solving and continuous-improvement approaches such as root-cause analysis, process mapping, waste reduction, standard work, or production-performance analysis.
Experience coordinating engineering projects involving equipment changes, manufacturing-process modifications, cost estimates, schedules, suppliers, or cross-functional stakeholders.
Ability to communicate technical findings clearly and coach operations or technical personnel through process, equipment, or technology changes.

Responsibilities

Develop, optimize, and sustain safe, efficient manufacturing and tooling processes for machining complex components used in heavy equipment production.
Create, validate, and maintain CNC programs for multi-axis machining and turning centers, including process prove-out and production support.
Design, engineer, and specify tooling, workholding, fixtures, jigs, machine setup requirements, and related manufacturing solutions to improve quality, safety, and productivity.
Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation, including operation specifications, work instructions, setup drawings, tooling standards, cycle time analyses, and process sheets.
Lead root cause analysis, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives addressing safety, quality, throughput, cost, reliability, and process bottlenecks.
Evaluate, implement, and support manufacturing equipment, tooling, automation, process improvements, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Manage technical projects involving new equipment, tooling, software, facility enhancements, and process development, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, and execution.