Senior Manufacturing Engineer (CMM SME/Trainer)

Caterpillar•San Diego, CA

3d•Hybrid

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 the Role: The Senior Manufacturing Engineer (CMM Trainer) is a technical leader and hands on practitioner responsible for developing, standardizing, and sustaining advanced metrology capabilities within the Advanced Combustion Systems Department. This role combines deep CMM technical expertise, GD&T proficiency, and technical training to ensure accurate measurement, consistent inspection practices, and strong linkage between design intent and manufacturing execution. The position supports ACS hardware (Injectors, airfoils, combustors) characterized by tight tolerances, complex geometry, and critical performance requirements. CMM SME enables capability growth across personnel, processes, and measurement systems.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Metrology, or related technical field (or equivalent experience), or in lieu of.
7+ years of hands-on experience in: CMM programming and operation, Precision inspection in an aerospace, energy, or advanced manufacturing environment.
Strong working knowledge of: GD&T (ASME Y14.5), Datum structures and functional tolerancing, Measurement uncertainty and capability analysis.

Nice To Haves

Experience with combustion system components or similar complex, high-temperature hardware.
Prior experience as: CMM Inspector/Trainer, Lead Inspector, Metrology Engineer, or Manufacturing Engineer.
Formal training or certification in PC-DMIS, Modus, Calypso, or equivalent software.
Experience supporting NPI / development hardware in addition to production.
Six Sigma (Green Belt or higher) or equivalent continuous improvement training.

Responsibilities

Develop, validate, and optimize CMM inspection programs for ACS components.
Support a variety of CMM platforms and software (e.g., PC-DMIS, Calypso, Modus, or equivalent).
Establish and maintain best practices for part alignment, probing strategy, filtration, and data output.
Troubleshoot measurement issues related to fixturing, thermal effects, probing error, and form evaluation.
Support advanced measurement techniques such as surface profile, freeform geometry, datum schemes, and functional gaging.
Act as the primary CMM subject-matter expert (SME) and instructor/advisor for ACS personnel.
Develop and deliver structured training programs covering: CMM fundamentals and advanced programming, GD&T interpretation and application, Inspection planning aligned to design intent and manufacturing processes.
Coach operators, technicians, and engineers through hands-on mentoring, job shadowing, and capability assessments.
Build standard training materials (work instructions, job aids, videos, etc.).
Certify and re-certify personnel for defined CMM competency levels.
Interpret and clarify complex GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
Provide feedback to Engineering on inspection feasibility, datum strategy, tolerance robustness, and design-for-measurement.
Support root cause analysis related to geometric nonconformance and measurement variation.
Define inspection methodologies and measurement system standards for ACS hardware.
Ensure compliance with internal quality systems, customer requirements, and regulatory standards.
Standardize: Program structure and naming conventions, Report formats and SPC outputs, Measurement acceptance criteria per print.
Drive improvements in measurement repeatability and reproducibility (GR&R).
Support PPAPs, production readiness reviews.
Collaborate on lean manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives related to inspection efficiency and variation reduction.
Support containment actions and corrective actions tied to inspection escapes or measurement error.