Marine Application Engineer

Caterpillar Inc.•Lafayette, IN

3d•$112,710 - $169,060•Onsite

About The Position

Caterpillar’s Oil & Gas and Marine Division is seeking a skilled Marine Application Engineer to join our team in Lafayette, Indiana. In this role, you will provide expert technical support for our marine engine platforms, including C9.3, C18, C32, 3500, and C280. As a Marine Application Engineer at Caterpillar, you will be driving OPACC through technical support of the selling process. You will act as a technical consultant and industry expert to dealers and the internal sales team. Secondary functions of NPI / Product Development support and technical documentation are as well critical to success.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree preferred (or equivalent) in an accredited marine, mechanical or electrical engineering or technologist curriculum
Planning: Tactical, Strategic: Knowledge of effective planning techniques and ability to contribute to operational (short term), tactical (1-2 years) and strategic (3-5 years) planning in support of the overall business plan. Contributes to short-term operational plans. Anticipates and adapts to plan changes. Monitors progress of work against plan as required to meet objectives. Reports variances and makes agreed-upon corrections.
Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of installation problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems. Seeks discrepancies and inconsistencies in available information; explains variances. Organizes and prioritizes the sequence of steps to be taken to remedy the situation. Identifies many probable causes for a problem based on prior experience and current research. Quantifies the costs, benefits, risks, and chances for success before recommending a course of action. Approaches a complex problem by breaking it down into its component parts. Chooses among a diverse set of analytical tools according to the nature of the situation.
Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools, and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors. Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending the recipient. Listens to feedback without defensiveness and use it for own communication effectiveness. Make oral presentations and write reports needed. Avoids technical jargon when inappropriate. Looks for and considers non-verbal cues from individuals and groups.
Problem Solving: Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations. Identifies and documents specific problems and resolution alternatives. Examine a specific problem and understand the perspective of each involved stakeholder. Develop alternative techniques for assessing accuracy and relevance of information. Helps to analyze risks and benefits of alternative approaches and obtain decisions on resolution. Uses fact-finding techniques and diagnostic tools to identify problems.
Systems Thinking: Knowledge of the critical interdependencies among individual system elements that help and hinder performance; ability to plan and design solutions that synchronize resources to achieve business results. Monitors systems after interventions to confirm success and to diagnose new or remaining problems. Analyzes the dynamics of a system to determine key characteristics, properties, and functions. Attributes systemic problems correctly to interpersonal dynamics when appropriate. Escalates systemic problems that impede group performance. Surfaces problems within systems and searches for root causes.

Nice To Haves

5+ years relevant engineering experience.
Experience with design and/or application of engine and/or generator products.
Marine industry or dealer power systems experience in a technical support role
Prior experience in dealer/customer facing positions.
Experience with Pro/e and Teamcenter, as well as familiarity with SAP.
Engine system experience such as working knowledge of cooling, lubrication, fuel, air, and exhaust systems in stationary or marine applications

Responsibilities

Provide technical expertise and pre-sales support for Caterpillar branded marine engines to our global dealer network and customers
Work with various levels of industry partners, including dealers, shipyards, operators, and owners to successfully apply diesel engines in the many varied vessel applications
Ensure a product’s technical specifications and capabilities are communicated to the sales force and to provide technical assistance as needed to enable the sale of Caterpillar products
Serve as a subject matter expert to product development efforts by providing critical customer input on market requirements and working with the NPI (New Product Introduction) team to optimize the product for the most cost-effective installation for our customers
Develop and maintain application and installation manuals, price list creations/revisions, technical communications, preparing and conducting product and application training for dealers and end customers as well as assisting customers and dealers with complex or unique applications
Infrequent travel will be required globally to support specific sales opportunities, deliver dealer training, support industry trade shows, conduct installation audits, and troubleshooting field issues (pre delivery)