Senior Supplier Development Engineer - Fabrications

Caterpillar•Decatur, IL

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. Job Description: The Senior Supplier Development Engineer (Sr. SDE) drives supplier performance, capability, and continuous improvement across complex fabrication suppliers. This role ensures suppliers meet Supplier Excellence Recognition (S.E.R.) expectations for quality, delivery, and responsiveness. The Sr. SDE serves as a technical leader, deploying Built in Quality (BIQ) fundamentals and collaborating cross-functionally to strengthen the end-to-end supply base.

Requirements

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.
Quality Orientation: Knowledge of quality management methods, tools, and techniques; ability to create and support an environment that meets the quality goals of the organization.
Manufacturing Standards, Procedures and Policies: Knowledge of organizational standards, procedures and policies in manufacturing activities; ability to plan, guide, and monitor manufacturing processes for compliance.
Supplier Management - MFG: Knowledge of processes and methods to effectively manage business relationships and transactions with suppliers of raw materials or product components; ability to apply related knowledge, experience and skills into real practice.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related manufacturing discipline
Working knowledge of APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning)
Experience using capacity planning tools such as NPE and ECR-S
Prior experience in procurement or supply chain–related roles
Background as a Product Performance Engineer and/or Supplier Quality Engineer
Experience as a coach and a mentor for less experienced team members
Hands-on experience supporting CAT products within manufacturing and/or quality environments

Responsibilities

Supplier Performance & Relationship Management Build strong technical and operational relationships with complex fabrication suppliers to enable their success in meeting S.E.R. shipping performance and quality metrics.
Monitor supplier performance trends, identify risks, and drive corrective and preventive actions.
Capacity Assessment & Risk Mitigation Proactively assess supplier capacity, throughput, and potential constraints using NPE tools and data-driven analysis.
Work action plans with suppliers resolving gaps identified by the ECR-S process to evaluate the impact of changes on supplier capacity, capability, and resources.
Collaborate with suppliers to implement mitigation plans including expansions, tooling adds, staffing strategies, scheduling optimization, and contingency planning.
Built in Quality (BIQ) Deployment Lead deployment of BIQ fundamentals through training, on-site assessments, and hands-on coaching.
Ensure robust quality gates are in place, and corrective actions are driven to the root cause.
Technical & Manufacturing Excellence Assess supplier capabilities, PFMEA/Control Plans, SPC, and readiness for new product introduction.
Provide technical guidance on fabrication processes including machining, welding, forming, and paint/coatings.
Lead and conduct CAV-E gap analysis for welding and paint, define closure plans.