Senior Engine Performance Engineer

Caterpillar Inc.•Mossville, IL

4d•$112,710 - $169,060•Onsite

About The Position

The Power Systems and Controls Development Team within Caterpillar's Large Power Systems Division develops engine systems that deliver performance, emissions compliance, reliability, and customer value across demanding applications. The team works across engine hardware, controls, simulation, test, and data analytics to support New Technology Introduction (NTI) and New Product Introduction (NPI) programs. The Senior Engine Development Engineer leads engine rating and calibration development for dual-fuel or gas engine programs. The role translates product and customer requirements into development plans, uses test and simulation results to optimize engine performance and emissions, and provides technical direction across calibration, controls, hardware, and test activities. It requires sound engineering judgment, strong analytical capability, and effective collaboration with global, cross-functional teams.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in an accredited engineering discipline.
Professional experience in engine rating development.
Extensive knowledge of engine performance development, combustion and emissions, calibration methods, engine systems, and controls.
Ability to analyze test and simulation data, identify root causes, and develop evidence-based recommendations.
Ability to maintain accurate, high-quality data and calibration through disciplined review, cross-checking, traceability, and verification.
Knowledge of process improvement and ability to enhance workflows, standard work, tools, and handoffs.
Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly in reports, reviews, and cross-functional discussions.
Working knowledge of project management, including planning, organizing, monitoring, and controlling development activities.
Ability to make or recommend sound system-level decisions using requirements, data, technical risk, cost, schedule, and customer impact.
Knowledge of engineering tools and techniques used to model, analyze, simulate, and test engine system designs.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
Hands-on experience with engine combustion, emissions, performance, calibration, or controls development.
Experience with spark-ignited or dual-fuel engines and NTI/NPI development programs.
Experience using DIAdem, Matlab, Canape, AVL Concerto, Dynasty, or GT-POWER.
Experience developing calibration maps, analyzing large engineering datasets, and building repeatable analysis or visualization tools.
Experience leading test-cell development work, coordinating technical contributors, or authoring standard work and training material.
Strong technical leadership, adaptability, and ability to manage multiple complex assignments with a balanced sense of urgency and quality.

Responsibilities

Develop and optimize engine ratings and calibrations to meet performance, emissions, durability, hardware-protection, and customer requirements.
Translate technical requirements into development and validation plans, including test objectives, instrumentation needs, data requirements, and risk-mitigation actions.
Plan and execute engine development work using test-cell data, simulation results, and engineering analysis; confirm data quality and identify gaps before decisions are made.
Evaluate interactions among engine hardware, controls software, combustion, air and fuel systems, and operating limits; recommend balanced system-level solutions.
Support software strategy and hardware-recipe evaluations, including calibration-map development, with production-intent controls.
Lead complex issue investigation and root-cause resolution for engine performance, emissions, calibration, controls, and test-related concerns.
Create technical reports and recommendations; communicate program status, risks, tradeoffs, and decisions to technical and program leadership.
Improve development processes, analysis tools, visualization methods, and standard work to increase quality, repeatability, and program velocity.
Provide technical guidance and mentoring to engineers and partners; coordinate work across test, controls, simulation, design, certification, and application teams.
Manage multiple development priorities while maintaining a commitment to safety, quality, accuracy, and timely delivery.
Plan and coordinate complex development activities, estimate effort and resource needs, track progress and risks, and balance multiple program priorities.
Lead structured root-cause investigations, evaluate alternatives and risks, drive issues to closure, and capture lessons learned.