Manufacturing Project Engineer

Caterpillar Inc.•Pontiac, IL

2d•$112,710 - $169,060•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. Role Definition: Supports manufacturing process development, continuous improvement, and the successful launch, transition, and ownership of manufacturing equipment and processes transferred from the New Capital Introduction (NCI) organization into production. This role provides engineering support for high-volume precision machining operations, including CNC machining centers, automated manufacturing systems, tooling, gaging, and process controls. Responsibilities include daily production support, hands-on troubleshooting, process and tooling optimization, equipment reliability improvements, root cause problem solving, supplier collaboration, and implementation of sustainable corrective actions. The position works closely with Operations, Quality, Product Design Engineering, Maintenance, and suppliers to ensure manufacturing systems achieve safety, quality, throughput, and cost objectives throughout the equipment lifecycle while driving continuous improvement and manufacturing best practices. What You Will Do: Providing technical expertise and guidance in major manufacturing projects, working with internal/external suppliers to support/improve manufacturing productivity and cost effectiveness. Implementing major systems and the coordination of those systems with the total plant. Communicating with suppliers to analyze their current or proposed product/process designs to determine feasibility of using existing designs or modifying the designs to improve process and/or product. Providing guidance to manufacturing engineers and operators in order to develop high-quality products and processes.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical; OR extensive equivalent manufacturing engineering experience.
Capacity Planning & Management - MFG: Knowledge of tools, approaches and practices for determining production demand and ability to manage resources needed to provide satisfactory levels of service.
Computer-Aided Design & Engineering: Knowledge of tools and techniques of specialized graphics programs; ability to produce, analyze, simulate and test product design drafts.
Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
Engineering - MFG: Knowledge of processes, techniques and methods of engineering in a manufacturing environment; ability to design and implement materials, structures, machines, devices, systems and processes that safely realize a desired objective or invention.
Project Management: Knowledge of 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.
Robotics/Computer Controlled Machinery: Knowledge of robotics technologies and computer-controlled machinery; ability to implement and operate robotics and computer-controlled machinery in an automated manufacturing environment.
Technical Troubleshooting: Knowledge of technical troubleshooting approaches, tools, and techniques; ability to anticipate, recognize, and resolve technical issues on hardware, software, application, or operation.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting high-volume precision machining operations.
Experience with turning, milling, grinding, honing, ECM, or automated machining systems.
Experience transitioning and supporting manufacturing equipment following NCI or capital project handoff.
Demonstrated success improving safety, quality, throughput, equipment reliability, and cost performance.
Experience leading equipment installation, machine qualification, production ramp-up, and manufacturing readiness activities.
Experience using Power BI, SAP, or similar manufacturing systems to support data-driven decision making.
Strong collaboration and communication skills with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and suppliers.
Ability to manage multiple projects and production support priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

Providing technical expertise and guidance in major manufacturing projects, working with internal/external suppliers to support/improve manufacturing productivity and cost effectiveness.
Implementing major systems and the coordination of those systems with the total plant.
Communicating with suppliers to analyze their current or proposed product/process designs to determine feasibility of using existing designs or modifying the designs to improve process and/or product.
Providing guidance to manufacturing engineers and operators in order to develop high-quality products and processes.