Marine Field Follow / Validation Engineer

Caterpillar Inc.•Virginia Beach, VA

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. About Caterpillar Marine: Caterpillar Marine is a global leader in reliable, efficient, and future‑ready marine power solutions. As a core part of Caterpillar’s Oil & Gas and Marine Division, our organization delivers world‑class engines, integrated power systems, lifecycle services, and digital technologies that help customers reduce total cost of ownership while improving uptime, efficiency, and performance. We offer a wide range of career opportunities across a variety of commercial, technical and business roles worldwide. Join our team and help solve our customers’ toughest challenges. About the Role: As a Marine Systems Test & Validation Engineer, you will provide critical on-vessel technical support for Cat Marine hybrid applications and high-performance pleasure craft and sport fish applications. You will lead the field validation of next-generation power systems and drivetrains, ensuring that integrated controls, software, and advanced power components—such as clutches/marine transmissions, electric motors, battery storage, and VFDs—deliver peak performance. You are the primary link between design and the water, responsible for performing commissioning, sea trials, and validation test execution to ensure these products meet the rigorous Cat design standards for marine applications. Qualified candidates must have the ability to work effectively in laboratory and marine engine‑room environments, including prolonged periods of standing, climbing, lifting components, and working in confined, noisy, and high‑temperature conditions. Capable of safely performing hands‑on diagnostic, troubleshooting, and repair activities throughout a full workday while adhering to all safety and operational requirements.

Requirements

Expert proficiency in Cat ET or equivalent and specialized DAQ hardware for real-time monitoring, coupled with data analysis to drive design validation and verify system performance against engineering specifications.
Deep understanding of the mechanical and electrical synergy between high-performance engines, gearboxes, and advanced drive units.
Expertise in the operation, diagnostics, troubleshooting, and repair of high-speed diesel engines, including electronically controlled fuel systems, turbocharging and air handling, cooling and lubrication systems, and emissions hardware.
Proven ability to interpret ECM data, fault codes, and live sensor inputs to identify root cause, execute corrective repairs, validate performance, and restore engine reliability in demanding marine applications.
Hands-on experience troubleshooting Variable Frequency Drives, electric motors, (VFDs) and Energy Storage Systems (ESS) in a marine environment.
Skilled in marine communication protocols, including J1939, Modbus, and Ethernet/IP for engine-room power systems integration.
Ability to analyze and optimize vessel performance data to meet the demanding standards of commercial applications as well as sport fish and luxury yacht owners.
BS mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, marine engineering or technology degree equivalent or 2 year technical degree with 4-7 years relevant industry experience
Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision.
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.
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.
Technical Excellence: Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.
Product Testing: Knowledge of product testing approaches, techniques and tools; ability to design, plan and execute testing strategies and tactics to ensure product quality at all stages of manufacturing.
Troubleshooting Technical Problems: Knowledge of troubleshooting approaches, tools and techniques; ability to anticipate, detect and resolve technical problems in a manufacturing or product development environment.

Responsibilities

Execute the lab and field validation of integrated hybrid propulsion and power systems.
Execute rigorous sea trial protocols to verify system efficiency, load-sharing between engines and batteries, and compliance with heavy-duty commercial duty cycles.
Execute the lab and field validation testing of the complete drivetrain for sport fish and pleasure craft vessels.
Perform precision tuning to optimize "hole-shot" acceleration, high-speed maneuverability, and maximum top-end performance for advanced engine and drivetrain configurations.
Support the evolution of power-dense marine engines and drivetrains.
Test and validate torque delivery and mechanical/electrical interfaces and control architecture to ensure ruggedness and reliability.
Resolve complex technical issues on-site.
Diagnose failures in AC/DC distribution, Battery Management Systems (BMS), and motor-drive synchronization.
Diagnose and resolve engine, drive train and control technical issues.
Capture real-time performance data during vessel operation.
Use high-fidelity logging to validate system behavior against engineering models and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) results.
Monitor equipment telematics data to confirm ongoing system operation aligns with established design requirements.
Implement hardware and software modifications to integrate the latest engineering improvements in the field.