Development & Research Engineering Specialist

Career Area:EngineeringJob Description: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.Hear about the Caterpillar Experience for yourselfRole DefinitionCaterpillar’s Advanced Materials Technology Department is currently seeking a Development & Research Engineering Specialist to support heat treat operations, induction processing systems, and advanced manufacturing technologies across multiple facilities. This role blends metallurgical engineering expertise with automation, process control, and manufacturing systems integration to optimize product quality, process capability, equipment reliability, and operational efficiency.What You Will DoPLC, Controls & Automation SystemsOwn troubleshooting, modification, and support of PLC-controlled manufacturing systems in production environmentsMaintain and optimize PLC ladder logic, HMI/SCADA systems (including Wonderware), and controls architectureIntegrate new equipment, sensors, and systems into existing PLC frameworksDiagnose system faults and implement corrective actions to restore uptimeHeat Treat & Induction EquipmentProvide controls and electrical support for heat treat furnaces, induction systems, and related equipmentSupport commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting of furnace cells and automation systemsExecute control revisions and upgrades for new and existing heat treat technologiesManufacturing Systems IntegrationLead integration of automation systems including robotics, MECCO printers, vision systems, and material handlingConfigure communication between PLCs, HMIs, databases, and enterprise systemsSupport recipe management, data collection systems, and plant-level automation architectureOn-Floor Diagnostics & TroubleshootingPerform advanced troubleshooting of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems in live production environmentsProvide rapid response support to minimize downtime across multiple facilitiesDeliver both on-site and remote technical support across geographically distributed operationsEnergy Monitoring & Digital SystemsDesign, install, and integrate power and gas metering systems into manufacturing equipmentDevelop and maintain Power BI dashboards for energy monitoring and reportingEnable data-driven decision making through system integration and reporting toolsCapital Projects & CommissioningSupport implementation of capital projects including furnace installations, automation upgrades, and new production cellsPerform equipment commissioning, system validation, and startup supportBridge manpower gaps on high-impact projects to ensure successful deliveryTraining & Cross-Site SupportTrain maintenance teams on troubleshooting PLC and automation systems to increase plant self-sufficiencyProvide technical mentorship and knowledge transfer to operations and engineering teamsSupport multiple facilities across the U.S. and Mexico through travel and remote engagementDegree RequirementBachelor's degree in Computer or Electrical Engineering required.What you must have (skills)Controls Engineering: Strong PLC, HMI/SCADA, and industrial automation experienceTroubleshooting: Ability to diagnose and resolve complex production system issues under pressureSystems Integration: Experience connecting equipment, PLCs, databases, and enterprise systemsManufacturing Engineering: Knowledge of industrial equipment, particularly heat treat and automated systemsData & Analytics: Experience with data collection and visualization tools (e.g., Power BI)Project Execution: Ability to support commissioning, upgrades, and capital projectsCommunication: Ability to work across sites, teams, and functions effectivelySelf-Directed Execution: Comfortable operating as a primary or sole controls resource across multiple locationsAdditional InformationThis position posting will close on 8/12/2026 at 11:59 p.m.This position will be located onsite 5 days a week in East Peoria, IL (Building KK).Domestic relocation is AvailableVISA Sponsorship is NOT AvailableTravel requirements will be less than 10%.Final detailsPlease frequently check the email associated with your application, including the junk/spam folder, as this is the primary correspondence method. If you wish to know the status of your application – please use the candidate log-in on our career website as it will reflect any updates to your status.#LI #MilitaryMonday #Letsdothework #caterpillarinc #IamcaterpillarSummary Pay Range:$128,470.00 - $192,710.00Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar. Benefits:Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.Medical, dental, and vision benefits*Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*401(k) savings plans*Health Savings Account (HSA)*Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*Health Lifestyle Programs*Employee Assistance Program*Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*Career Development*Incentive bonus*Disability benefitsLife InsuranceParental leaveAdoption benefitsTuition Reimbursement* These benefits also apply to part-time employeesThis position requires working onsite five days a week.Relocation is available for this position.Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.Posting Dates:July 29, 2026 - August 12, 2026Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.SummaryLocation: East Peoria, IllinoisType: Full time