Senior Configurator Systems Integration Engineering Technologist – Large Wheel Loaders

Caterpillar•Decatur, IL

18h•Onsite

About The Position

Join the Large Wheel Loader Engineering team in a highly visible role designed for engineering technologists who want to broaden their business impact, strengthen their leadership capability, and help shape the future competitiveness of one of Caterpillar’s most important product lines. This is a high-energy team doing meaningful work across Mining, Quarry, Construction, and Compaction applications—and we are looking for someone who is ready to lead with curiosity, urgency, and a continuous improvement mindset. This role provides rare exposure to the full Large Wheel Loader, Wheel Dozer, and Compactor value chain, including engineering, manufacturing, business resources, commercial, supply chain, and global product partners. It is an excellent opportunity for a high-potential candidate to build enterprise perspective, develop business acumen, expand their leadership network, and gain the experiences that prepare them for future leadership roles. The Senior Configurator Systems Integration Engineering Technologist will report to the Engineering Manager and lead work that directly influences long-term end-to-end competitive cost structure goals. You will collaborate across the global Caterpillar team to define cost targets, identify and lead projects that close performance gaps, and communicate progress to leadership. You will also define and manage competitive worldwide product cost targets, lead the cost Obeya process, stay current on Cat and competitive product innovations, and coach engineering teams on cost structure opportunities and objectives.

Requirements

Requires a degree or extensive equivalent experience in the field
Leadership and influence: Ability to align stakeholders, lead through ambiguity, and move teams toward a common goal without direct authority.
Business ownership: Strong interest in understanding how engineering decisions connect to customer value, product competitiveness, cost structure, and business results.
Analytical strength: Exceptional organizational, analytical, and project management skills with the ability to turn complex data into clear decisions and actions.
Enterprise collaboration: Experience working across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, commercial, or business resource teams.
Systems orientation: Experience accessing data from Caterpillar systems or demonstrated ability to quickly learn complex business and engineering systems.
Continuous improvement mindset: Previous Six Sigma, Lean, cost reduction, quality improvement, or structured problem-solving experience.
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.
Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.
Effective Communications: Understanding of effective concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
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.

Responsibilities

Own the development of worldwide, competitive-based product cost targets by partnering with global cost team members, business resources, engineering teams, and product leaders.
Build and maintain external competitive cost comparisons that help the team understand where we win, where we have gaps, and where focused action can create customer and business value.
Coordinate and maintain the full cost bill of material in partnership with engineering and business resources.
Lead cross-functional, high-value cost reduction projects with global impact and clear connection to product competitiveness.
Lead Cost Obeya meetings and provide leadership with a clear view of current product cost performance, line of sight to target, risks, and active countermeasures.
Set vision, priorities, and objectives for regional cost project leaders to align work across the value chain and achieve end-to-end competitive cost structure goals.
Ensure accurate, timely, and actionable cost reporting that enables faster decisions and stronger accountability.
Research new product and component design parameters, performance characteristics, and technical specifications to identify opportunities for improved value.
Guide technical design evolution, project planning, performance analysis, development testing, supplier selection, and supplier capability assessment.