Application Engineer

Caterpillar Inc.•Mossville, IL

1d•$112,710 - $169,060

About The Position

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 IPSD Caterpillar’s Industrial Power Systems Division (IPSD) designs, tests and manufactures 0.5 to 18L engines that not only power Caterpillar machines, but also power over 5000 other applications including Marine, Petroleum, Industrial Applications, Electric Generators, and Locomotives. Caterpillar’s company strategy includes sustainability as one of four focus areas and IPSD is engaged and actively preparing green energy solutions for the future. Job Summary: The Sr. Engineer - Performance/Simulation/Application on the IPSD-L Thermo-Fluids Team is primarily an individual contributor role. This engineer will be accountable for contributing to the identification, complex analysis, and resolution of problems in thermofluid Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), for which the incumbent is beginning to build a reputation as an expert. The major focus of the job is on technical delivery. In this role you will collaborate with design, simulation, test, and platform teams to analyze and optimize engine systems. The engineer in this role will also champion existing simulation best practices and new tools/processes to continuously improve simulation efficiency. Finally, this engineer will provide mentoring and indirect leadership to internal and external team members

Requirements

Masters in engineering with at least 6 years of industrial CFD analysis experience, or PhD with a minimum of 3 years’ experience.
Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision. Evaluates and makes contributions to best practices. Processes large quantities of detailed information with high levels of accuracy. Productively balances speed and accuracy. Implements a variety of cross-checking approaches and mechanisms. Demonstrates expertise in quality assurance tools, techniques, and standards. Employ techniques for motivating employees to meet or exceed accuracy goals.
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. Seeks discrepancies and inconsistencies in available information; explains variances. Organizes and prioritizes the sequence of steps to be taken to remedy the situation. Identifies many possible causes of a problem based on prior experience and current research. Quantifies the costs, benefits, risks and chances for success before recommending a course of action. Approaches a complex problem by breaking it down into its component parts. Chooses among a diverse set of analytical tools according to the nature of the situation.
Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors. Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending the recipient. Listens to feedback without defensiveness and use it for own communication effectiveness. Make oral presentations and writes reports needed for own work. Avoids technical jargon when inappropriate. Looks for and considers non-verbal cues from individuals and groups.
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. Ensures capture of lessons to be learned from a problem-solving effort. Organizes potential problem solvers and leads problem resolution efforts. Uses varying problem-solving approaches and techniques as appropriate. Contributes to standard practices for problem-solving approaches, tools, and processes. Analyzes and synthesizes information and devises alternative resolution strategies. Develops successful resolutions to critical or wide-impact problems.
Technical Excellence: Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges. Provides effective technical solutions to routine functional challenges via sound technical competence, effectively examining implications of events and issues. Effectively performs the technical job aspects, continuously building knowledge and keeping up-to-date on technical and procedural job components. Applies technical operating and project standards based on achieving excellence in delivered products, technologies and services. Applies current procedures and technologies to help resolve technical issues in one's general area of technical competence. Helps others solve technical or procedural problems or issues.

Responsibilities

Partners with component and platform design teams to evaluate and optimize the flow of coolant, air, exhaust, oil and/or fuel within their respective system.
Ensure timely and quality boundary conditions for downstream analysis; these boundary conditions may be generated with conjugate heat transfer (CHT) analysis.
Leverage technical expertise and engine system understanding to troubleshoot issues through CFD simulation.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of CFD simulation best practices, which includes leading iModel projects to close critical gaps, improving accuracy and reducing throughput time.
Communicate technical information in a concise and accurate manner.
Manage multiple priorities and multiple customers at the same time.
Demonstrate initiative and customer service.