Validation Engineering Specialist

Caterpillar Inc.•East Peoria, IL

2d•$128,470 - $192,710•Onsite

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. Are you looking for the opportunity to leverage your engineering expertise to make an impact in building a better world? If so, have an exciting opportunity for you to join the Peoria Proving Ground (PPG) team at Caterpillar as an Engineering Specialist - Validation! Role Summary: This highly visible role will help to ensure that CAT machines meet our end user’s quality expectations by promoting validation earlier in the product development cycle. You will be heavily involved in moving motor grader validation activities forward in time, into the concept and design phases of new product programs through solid program planning and execution. Role will interface with system & component design teams as well as machine level leaders to define validation requirements, plans, and monitor program health. Your planning will result in test machines (i.e. testbed, prototype, pilot, etc.) that arrive at any Proving Ground or customer site for machine validation in good operating condition, technical & program risks quantified, and machine & system validation plans are thoroughly documented.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related fields.
Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
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.
Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.
Knowledge of effective project management strategies and tactics; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control projects, ensuring efficient utilization of technical and administrative resources to achieve project objectives.
Knowledge of product testing approaches, techniques and tools; ability to design, plan and execute testing strategies and tactics to ensure product quality at all stages of manufacturing.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated technical leadership ability including ability to communicate cross functionally
Experience managing multiple projects
Willing and able to attend regular (off shift) meetings during the week (predominantly China and India)
Machine/lab test experience strongly preferred
Experience working with a global team
Communicating with various stakeholders including but not limited to Product Managers, Chief Engineers, Vice President.
Highly developed skills in program management, and customer relations are essential.

Responsibilities

Maintaining solid connections between product groups and process partners
Leading a strong test and development team partnering with product design and safety teams
Creating a validation strategy and activity plan in collaboration with systems and global machine development groups
Determining program validation costs based on development plans
Educating product groups on validation expectations and key processes
Driving usage of tools to evaluate the effectiveness of the validation activity plan on critical failure modes, and direct activities to mitigate risk
Monitoring and reporting on new product (NPI) program health
Meeting with global design teams during off shift hours depending on project needs
Mentoring junior engineers in the team.