Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Caterpillar•Decatur, IL

2d•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 the Manufacturing Engineering Manager in Decatur, IL, you will work closely with operations and product leaders to align automated manufacturing systems, manufacturing processes, and product engineering around shared product-group objectives. You will lead manufacturing engineering capability across assembly, Fabrication and machining processing while building a strong, high‑performing engineering organization. This is an on‑site leadership role focused on improving manufacturing methods, equipment, systems, and operating infrastructure to deliver safety, quality, velocity, and cost results. The role plays a critical part in New Product Introduction (NPI) readiness and execution, ensuring smooth product launches and manufacturing scalability. You will drive innovation through robotics, AI, machine learning, and 3D vision systems, deploying advanced automation across welding, painting, assembly, and material handling operations.

Requirements

Lean Manufacturing: Extensive experience leading lean adoption, work‑cell design, layout optimization, and performance measurement
Manufacturing Processes: Deep understanding of assembly and manufacturing processes, best practices, and standardization
Manufacturing Equipment: Expertise in equipment selection, qualification, integration, and infrastructure changes
Problem Solving & Decision Making: Proven ability to lead cross‑functional problem solving using data‑driven approaches

Nice To Haves

Experience programing PLCs and integrating industrial robots into manufacturing workflows
Experience leading manufacturing readiness for New Product Introduction (NPI) and product launches
Background in automated or advanced manufacturing systems
Strong knowledge of plant layout, tooling strategy, work standards, and manufacturing documentation/releasing
Experience with manufacturing capacity planning and demand‑to‑capacity translation

Responsibilities

Design and deploy automation systems including robots, AGVs, AMRs, and sensor-based solutions.
Support New Product Introduction (NPI) activities by ensuring manufacturing readiness, process capability, tooling availability, and launch execution
Lead hiring, performance management, coaching, and development of manufacturing engineering teams supporting plant operations
Direct manufacturing engineering scope across assembly and manufacturing processing, cost estimating, systems planning, plant layout, standards, gaging/checking equipment, tooling, and work standards
Manage the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of operating methods, equipment, systems, and manufacturing infrastructure
Drive adoption and sustainment of lean manufacturing principles across the organization
Lead capacity planning activities by translating demand signals into short‑term production and resource requirements
Champion structured problem solving for complex manufacturing, process, and equipment issues