Manufacturing Engineer - NPI and Capital

Caterpillar Inc.•Pontiac, IL

4d•$97,530 - $146,290•Onsite

About The Position

This Manufacturing Engineer will serve as a Project Lead on the New Capital Introduction team, managing capital equipment projects that support capacity expansion, equipment replacement, and manufacturing improvements. The primary focus will be metal cutting machine tools for both soft and hard machining applications, with opportunities to support automation and assembly equipment projects as business needs arise. This role supports New Product Introduction (NPI) and Continuous Product Improvement (CPI) initiatives while providing occasional production support. The Manufacturing Engineer will lead projects from concept and equipment selection through installation, commissioning, and handoff to Operations. Success in this role requires close collaboration with Operations, Logistics, Maintenance, Quality, and Product Engineering teams to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable manufacturing processes.

Requirements

Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
Knowledge of the philosophy, principles and implementation approaches of lean manufacturing; ability to integrate and implement lean manufacturing philosophy into existing production and management processes.
Knowledge of soft and hard machining practices and CAD software; ability to apply manufacturing concepts to improve product quality, manufacturability, and production performance.
Knowledge of existing product manufacturing methods, technologies and processes; ability to execute, plan, manage and monitor the entire manufacturing process.
CNC Machine tools experience.
Experience using 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.
Knowledge of techniques and processes of robotic process automation (RPA); ability to develop and deploy RPA solutions in various industries.

Nice To Haves

Associate or Bachelor degree in Engineering Manufacturing or Industrial Technology (Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial concentration preferred)
Automation system experience, including PLCs and robots used in assembly, deburring.
Significant previous machine tools process (CNC) experience.
Grinding and Honing process experience.
Experience in diesel and fuel systems.
Supplier collaboration.
Management experience.
APQP experience.
Experience with 6 Sigma and Lean Manufacturing concepts.
End-of-Line testing and analysis experience.

Responsibilities

Develops, analyzes, and manages Manufacturing/Assembly Projects.
Assists in developing department capital and expense budgets.
Maintains the department capital forecast.
Administers the NPI process to ensure that Engineering drawings are released and processed on time for NPI build.
Creates and implements APQP and SFMEA (Safety) for new equipment and processes to provide a smooth transition from NPI to full production for Operation.
Engages in creative problem solving to address operational issues including ergonomic/safety, efficiency improvements, process bottlenecks, quality concerns.
Works with internal and external suppliers to develop and manage projects to ensure efficient and cost-effective systems and processes to produce quality products.
Provides the application, procurement, processing, installation, and capability of assembly and test processes and equipment.
Designs, develops, and implements the integration of manufacturing systems including factory control software, scheduling techniques, simulation, and systems application.
Designs and integrates automation in existing manufacturing equipment.
Works with Metrology engineer to come up with advance gage solutions for new and existing product to improve quality.
Provides manufacturing technical support in process control and internal certification.
Coordinates the purchase and application of machine tools, controls, and related equipment corporate-wide to ensure the latest technology is being used to increase efficiency and economy of operations.