Manufacturing Project Engineer

Caterpillar•Pontiac, IL

12d•Onsite

About The Position

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.

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. Works with R&D (research & development) staff to plan resource and capacity requirements for products under development. Creates consolidated forecasts for multiple product lines and production facilities. Advises on multiple cycles of short- and long-term capacity planning for product or site. Compares and contrasts alternative approaches and tools for capacity planning. Develops estimates and costs for incremental capacity requirements. Translates demand forecasts into production and capacity requirements.
Computer-Aided Design & Engineering: Knowledge of tools and techniques of specialized graphics programs; ability to produce, analyze, simulate and test product design drafts. Generates specifications for parts or components with CAD software. Reuses design components via reusable libraries following standard procedures. Uses CAD to perform basic drafting such as wire frames, solid objects and array of objects. Performs routine changes to computerized schematics or drawings. Creates views of objects in 2 and 3 dimensions; creates perspective drawings and orthogonal views.
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. Applies an assigned technique for critical thinking in a decision-making process. Identifies, obtains, and organizes relevant data and ideas. Participates in documenting data, ideas, players, stakeholders, and processes. Recognizes, clarifies, and prioritizes concerns. Assists in assessing risks, benefits and consideration of alternatives.
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. Assists in problem resolution, drafting and writing specifications for engineering practices. Works with basic, routine components of the engineering discipline in manufacturing. Performs basic installation, maintenance and repairs for a specific engineering function. Follows relevant standards, policies and practices in engineering operations. Reports unusual engineering issues and considerations regarding manufacturing operations to senior staff.
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. Utilizes preferred tools, techniques and methods for estimating project cost and time. Plans, estimates, staffs, organizes and monitors significant projects. Identifies risks and vulnerabilities; creates contingency plans. Conducts regular and ad-hoc project reviews with project team, sponsors, and clients. Maintains open communication among project participants and interested parties. Communicates reporting requirements; creates monitoring and control mechanisms.
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. Loads different programs and new instructions. Resolves common robotics problems. Works with simple robots performing manufacturing process sub-functions. Assesses tasks for automation potential; obtains information about alternative robotic solutions. Assists with analyzing space and cost requirements associated with robot usage.
Technical Troubleshooting: Knowledge of technical troubleshooting approaches, tools, and techniques; ability to anticipate, recognize, and resolve technical issues on hardware, software, application, or operation. Discovers, analyzes and resolves hardware, software, or application problems. Works with vendor-specific diagnostic guides, tools, and utilities. Handles calls related to product features, applications, and compatibility standards. Analyzes code, logs, and current systems as part of advanced troubleshooting. Records and reports specific technical problems, solving processes and tools that have been used.

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.