Manufacturing Project Engineer - Welding Technologies

Caterpillar Inc.•Mossville, IL

1d•$128,470 - $192,710•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. Building the Future of Caterpillar Manufacturing At Caterpillar, we don’t just build machines — we build the infrastructure that moves the world. As a Manufacturing Project Engineer for Welding Technologies, you’ll sit at the intersection of advanced welding processes, digital automation, and large‑scale manufacturing, helping drive innovation across Caterpillar’s fabrication facilities and Machine & Manufacturing Technology (MMT) development teams. This role is ideal for an engineer who wants hands‑on technical impact, exposure to cutting‑edge automation, and the opportunity to influence how Caterpillar designs, tests, and deploys world‑class manufacturing solutions.

Requirements

Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Applies structured decision‑making approaches to analyze situations objectively, challenge assumptions, and assess potential impacts of various options. Leverages historical insights, validated data, and consultative or consensus‑based methods to guide sound, defensible decisions and advise others effectively.
Troubleshooting Technical Problems: Anticipates, diagnoses, and resolves complex technical and equipment issues by applying advanced troubleshooting and diagnostic techniques. Assesses business impact, prioritizes timely resolution, and coach teams in resolving high‑impact and multi‑vendor integration challenges.
Manufacturing Engineering: Applies foundational manufacturing engineering principles to support safe, efficient production processes and equipment. Contributes to problem resolution, specification development, and routine installation, maintenance, and repair activities while following established engineering standards. Escalates complex or unusual manufacturing issues to senior engineering staff to ensure operational continuity.
Project Management: Leads and manages significant engineering and manufacturing projects using established project management tools and methodologies to deliver results on time and within budget. Proactively identifies risks, develops contingency plans, and maintains strong communication with project teams, sponsors, and stakeholders. Ensures consistent tracking, reporting, and control mechanisms to support successful project execution.
Robotics & Computer‑Controlled Machinery: Provides advanced expertise in robotics and automated manufacturing systems, supporting the design, evaluation, and deployment of flexible, multi‑function robotic solutions. Leads automation planning, vendor evaluation, and cost‑benefit analysis while advising on advanced robotics programming and commands. Supports successful implementation through training, change adoption, and performance monitoring.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Materials Science, etc.
Working knowledge of metal brazing, resistance welding , aluminum welding and laser welding.
Fundamental understanding of manufacturing standards, procedures, and policies, particularly in welding and fabrication environments.
Ability to explain the relevance of manufacturing standards within a production setting.
Ability to follow and apply established policies, standards, and procedures.
Ability to obtain and interpret documentation related to manufacturing and welding requirements.

Responsibilities

Serve as a hands-on technical authority for welding, providing expert guidance to Caterpillar fabrication facilities, MMT Development and Deployment Teams, suppliers, and commercial partners.
Lead and prioritize engineering initiatives by resolving complex welding challenges and delivering day-to-day technical direction to cross‑functional project teams.
Develop, test, and continuously improve welding products, processes, and prototypes, ensuring compliance with Caterpillar quality standards through data‑driven analysis.
Integrate materials, components, and manual, automated, and robotic welding systems with a focus on safety, performance, manufacturability, scalability, and total plant optimization.
Provide technical leadership on major manufacturing projects, partnering with internal and external suppliers to improve productivity, cost effectiveness, and process capability.
Evaluate and coordinate major manufacturing systems across the plant to ensure alignment with operational and production objectives.
Direct suppliers in assessing and modifying product and process designs to improve feasibility, manufacturability, and overall quality.
Act as the subject‑matter expert and audit owner for welding technologies, including NDT, automation, and compliance, driving continuous improvement across Caterpillar’s global manufacturing network.
Mentor and guide manufacturing engineers and operators, strengthening technical capability and supporting the delivery of high‑quality products and processes.