Manufacturing Project Engineer

Caterpillar•Peoria, 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. Job Summary: The Wear Components Advanced Manufacturing Engineering team supports Caterpillar’s Ground Engaging Tools (GET) and Undercarriage (UC) parts, which are used on a wide variety of Caterpillar machine products. Wear Components products are excellent opportunities for metallurgical engineering application: driving quality processes, ensuring cost competitiveness, and developing & leveraging new technology - all with the end goal of improved parts/performance/value for our customers, fueling aftermarket parts growth. We prioritize process excellence within our manufacturing locations, so that our customers know they can expect consistent, high-quality parts to help them be more successful in building a better and more sustainable world. If you are looking for an opportunity to leverage your metallurgical knowledge and global collaboration skills to make an impact on a wide variety of different products, this is a great opportunity for you as a Wear Components Manufacturing Project Engineer. In this role, you will report to the Wear Components Advanced Manufacturing Manager. You will primarily support steel products and manufacturers, serving as a metallurgical subject matter expert for wear parts, manufacturing processes, driving Advanced Product Quality Planning standards and execution among our supply base, collaborating between design and manufacturing sources to improve manufacturability of parts, and ensuring high quality & timely development of production sources. You will also be called upon to lead projects to improve Safety, Quality, Velocity, Capacity, or Cost processes while driving better practices amongst our worldwide manufacturing processes. In this role you’ll serve as a product group technical expert in specific areas such as steelmaking & forming, materials specifications & standards, quality assurance tools & techniques, and wear component performance & failure analysis. This role will also have ongoing opportunities to collaborate with our enterprise technical resources on R&D programs in areas such as new steel chemistry, manufacturing processes, and innovative new inspection tools & techniques.

Requirements

Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree or higher, or demonstrate equivalent knowledge through extensive professional expertise.
Problem Solving: Leads cross-functional teams to identify and resolve product quality and performance issues, production inefficiencies, and equipment & process failures. Applies structured problem-solving methodologies (e.g., 8D, DMAIC) to drive root cause analysis and implement corrective actions. Synthesizes data from multiple sources to develop and execute resolution strategies aligned with Caterpillar’s Lean manufacturing principles.
Manufacturing Best Practices and Standards: Identifies, develops, and implements manufacturing standards & specifications, as well as industry best practices (e.g., APQP, ISO, DIN, etc.) to enhance safety, quality, and operational efficiency. Develops and drives standardized quality requirements, process controls, and visual management systems across the global manufacturing base to ensure consistent performance & quality levels worldwide.
Project Management: Plans, organizes, and controls project scope, schedule, and budget using tools such as MS Project or Caterpillar’s internal systems. Coordinates with engineering, operations, supply chain, and supplier teams to ensure timely delivery and alignment with business objectives. Manages capital and process improvement projects from initiation through completion.
Manufacturing Process Design and Development: Designs and optimizes manufacturing processes for wear components (GET, Undercarriage), including casting, forging, machining, welding, assembly, and painting. Oversees APQP efforts including PFMEA, control plan development, and process validation activities to support new product introductions, engineering changes, and new source development. Identifies and integrates advanced manufacturing & inspection technologies to improve cost, quality, and throughput.
Judgment and Decision Making: Evaluates complex business and technical scenarios to make informed, data-driven decisions. Communicates recommendations clearly to stakeholders, anticipates challenges, and prepares supporting data to facilitate alignment. Takes accountability for outcomes, learns from setbacks, and shares credit for team successes.

Nice To Haves

Steel metallurgy background & experience
Knowledge in steel mill processes or operations, particularly rolling mill manufacture of profiled sections used for products like cutting edges & track shoes.
Experience in steelmaking processes, particularly electric arc and/or induction melting for casting processes, steel refining processes such as vacuum degas, vacuum melting, argon oxygen decarburization (AOD)
Metallurgical engineering & quality knowledge, particularly around low alloy wear resistant steel, heat treatment, hydrogen cracking & control processes
Knowledge in steel casting and/or forging processes, including foundry processes such as molding, core making, heat treatment, inspection processes, machining.
APQP knowledge and practical experience using APQP in development & sourcing of parts.
Experience with & enthusiasm for international travel and global support of technical resources, processes, and facilities.
Experience in managing large scale capital projects including concept development, project funding and execution of large-scale capital projects.

Responsibilities

Work directly with specific suppliers/facilities on APQP based development of parts to production, in support of NPI, CPI, resourcing and similar efforts.
Support ongoing quality assurance efforts among the full GET & UC supply base, with direct go-to responsibility for select suppliers/facilities
Own & manage the Wear Components portfolio of material specifications
Provide input, guidance, recommendations to Engineering teams on materials selections, design reviews, product deviations
Lead efforts in failure analysis & root cause/corrective action processes for product issues
Provide technical mentoring and training in areas of expertise to local and global team members – building team capabilities and leaving legacy
Lead efforts to improve our APQP standards & practices and drive consistent use across our global supply base.
Work with Internal / External Suppliers to plan & implement projects to assure efficient and cost-effective systems and processes to produce quality products.
Contribute to evaluation of supply base capabilities, gaps, and improvement prioritization.
Identify opportunities for leveraging emerging technology and drive appropriate implementation among our manufacturing base.
Develop concepts and business plans for facilities projects (including even facility expansion or new facility), manage budgeting, manage project plans pertaining to these initiatives.