Senior Design Engineer

Caterpillar Inc.•Lafayette, IN

6d•$112,710 - $169,060•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Design Engineer will lead development of complex engine systems and components for the GCM34 gas engine, including Balance of Plant (BOP), in collaboration with the M20–M46 medium-speed engine family. The role drives technical decisions throughout product development and partners with global cross-functional teams to deliver robust, manufacturable products while advancing innovation, product quality, and long-term platform performance. Compared with the overall product development mission, the senior role has greater ownership of technical direction, system-level decisions, and complex engineering challenges. The position is based in the office five days per week and may require international travel of up to 5%. Relocation is available. Visa sponsorship is not available. The role requires a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
Experience leading the design and development of mechanical systems, components, or products.
Experience independently driving product development activities from concept through validation and release.
Experience evaluating complex technical challenges and developing robust engineering solutions.
Experience coordinating technical activities across multiple engineering disciplines and stakeholder groups.
Demonstrated ability to manage technical risk, design tradeoffs, and engineering decision-making throughout the product lifecycle.
Analytical thinking, including use of analysis techniques and tools to identify root causes and develop alternative solutions.
Effective communication skills to transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs.
Ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities and prioritize time effectively.
Working knowledge of a technology and its applications, with the ability to develop solutions to significant technical challenges.

Nice To Haves

Advanced knowledge of medium-speed engine design, development, integration, and performance optimization.
Experience leading development of complex engine systems, power generation products, or large industrial equipment.
Advanced experience with system integration, validation strategies, and product performance optimization.
Experience leading technical reviews, design decisions, and cross-functional development initiatives.
Experience mentoring engineers or providing technical leadership within engineering teams.
Experience using data analytics to drive engineering decisions, product improvements, or design optimization.
Knowledge of mechanical and electrical system interactions within complex products.
Experience working in global engineering organizations and collaborating across multiple regions.
Experience evaluating and implementing emerging engineering technologies, digital tools, or AI-enabled engineering solutions.
Experience influencing product strategy, technical roadmaps, or architecture decisions.

Responsibilities

Lead design and development of complex engine systems, components, and integrated product solutions from concept through production implementation.
Establish technical approaches and design strategies that address customer, regulatory, manufacturing, performance, and reliability requirements.
Lead concept development, evaluate design alternatives, and recommend solutions.
Lead engineering analyses, simulations, validation programs, and technical reviews to ensure product performance and durability.
Provide technical leadership and guidance to engineers, project teams, suppliers, and external engineering partners.
Coordinate development activities across manufacturing, quality, performance, controls, supply chain, and product support organizations.
Support worldwide dealer and O&M teams with technical questions about engines, connected systems, and their interfaces.
Analyze product, validation, and field performance data to identify trends and drive product enhancements.
Resolve complex technical challenges using structured problem-solving and risk-based decision-making.
Influence system architecture, component integration strategies, and long-term product development roadmaps.
Drive product releases, engineering changes, and design governance while ensuring compliance with quality and engineering standards.
Identify opportunities to improve engineering efficiency using new technologies, digital tools, data analytics, and AI-enabled engineering solutions.
Mentor and develop less experienced engineers and foster technical excellence and innovation.
Lead initiatives to improve product quality, reliability, manufacturability, and customer value throughout the product lifecycle.