Senior Design Engineer

Caterpillar Inc.•Lafayette, IN

3d•$112,710 - $169,060•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Design Engineer will serve as the technical owner for critical engine cylinder pack components and systems, including pistons, rings, and liners, within Caterpillar's Large Power Systems Division. The role is responsible for design, development, validation, and lifecycle management of cylinder pack products for diesel, natural gas, and alternative-fuel reciprocating engines. The engineer defines product requirements, makes engineering decisions, manages technical risks, and ensures designs meet performance, durability, manufacturability, quality, and cost objectives. The role collaborates with subject matter experts, development engineers, suppliers, manufacturing facilities, engine platform teams, and cross-functional stakeholders. The engineer supports products from concept through validation, production launch, and ongoing product support; resolves issues, oversees design changes, leads engineering workstreams and project deliverables, and champions innovative technologies. The position is located onsite in Lafayette, Indiana, five days a week. Domestic relocation assistance is available; visa sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in an accredited Engineering, Computer Science, or Materials Science curriculum.
Experience with engine testing, calibration, simulation, or controls development.

Nice To Haves

Recognized team player with excellent communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills.
Strong desire to learn and grow technical skills.
Cylinder pack or engine-components design background.
Materials experience or understanding, including fatigue life, tribology, or wear.
Experience defining validation testing using FMEA and DVP&R methods.
Understanding of engine platforms and customer applications.
APQP, PPAP, and design release experience.
Strong oral and written communication skills, including developing and delivering technical presentations.
Technical experience with engine testing, calibration, simulation, or controls development.
Engine system or component design and design-for-manufacturing experience.
Self-starter with strong technical leadership skills.
Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret structural, dynamic, and metallurgical analysis.

Responsibilities

Assume technical ownership of assigned PRL cylinder pack components, including their design, development, validation, and lifecycle management.
Engage suppliers in concurrent product and process design to meet performance, quality, production delivery, and financial objectives.
Work with engine platform teams and communicate progress and developments on NPI, NTI, CPI, and NSI projects.
Direct and/or conduct analytical simulation work, including providing boundary conditions and load inputs and evaluating results.
Apply product development skills in conceptual design, product development processes, data analysis and extraction, failure investigation, and requirements management.
Execute maintenance activities, including factory and customer problem resolution, cost-reduction projects, and robustness improvements.
Communicate results to customers, suppliers, team members, and other business units.
Contribute as a critical project team member across functions such as purchasing and operations.
Gather input from a broad team to formulate decisions and develop project outputs.
Plan and manage jobs or projects, including their business and financial aspects.
Provide a supportive team environment and mentor, coach, and develop others.
Manage personal professional development.