Manufacturing Engineer

Career Area:ManufacturingJob Description:Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc. When you join Caterpillar, you'rejoining 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'tjust 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.Role Definition:Provides the technical expertise necessary to design, develop, and implement manufacturing engineering, complex manufacturing operations, and sophisticated machinery. This position functions as a specialist in the following major areas: planning, tooling, maintenance, plant engineering, releasing, manufacturing processes, costs, quality, compliance with safety guidelines, and environmental requirements for manufacturing.What You Will Do:Identify and implement enhancements and modifications to complex manufacturing operations equipment and processes.Monitor sophisticated equipment and process reliability; identify and address problem areas.Provide direct supervision, coaching and development for operations technical staff and support areas.Lead engineering support on planning, development, operation, and maintenance of equipment, processes, or facilities.What Skills You Have:Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.Differentiates assumptions, perspectives, and historical frameworks.Evaluates past decisions for insights to improve decision-making process.Advises others in analyzing and synthesizing relevant data and assessing alternatives.Uses effective decision-making approaches such as consultative, command, or consensus.Lean Manufacturing: Knowledge of the philosophy, principles and implementation approaches of lean manufacturing; ability to integrate and implement lean manufacturing philosophy into existing production and management processes.Discusses considerations for work cell design and effectiveness monitoring.Finds solution for key technical and people problems associated with transformation to lean.Explains issues and considerations of implementing lean in own function or area.Selects and utilizes tools, techniques and measurements associated with a lean assessment.Manufacturing Equipment: Knowledge of the electrical, mechanical and logistics equipment used in manufacturing; ability to safely operate, maintain, update and store them.Performs routine maintenance: cleaning, replacing defective or worn parts.Participates in setting up new machines and testing according to manufacturer's specifications.Uses standard diagnostic tools and techniques; resolves common problems.Conducts routine inspections; checks machine performance and equipment safeguards; reports standards violations.Manufacturing Processes: Knowledge of existing product manufacturing methods, technologies and processes; ability to execute, plan, manage and monitor the entire manufacturing process.Develops best practices documentation for all major activities and tasks.Trains others on all major tasks and considerations for the full manufacturing process.Participates in measuring and monitoring new processes and technologies.Selects and optimizes specific methodologies for specific products.Manufacturing Safety: Knowledge of manufacturing safety; ability to identify work-related hazards and perform necessary activities to meet regulatory requirements for the safety and protection of workers, environment and site.Consults on the use of new tools and techniques for safety protection.Performs safety inspections to assure compliance with OSHA requirements.Assesses and reports unusual or new safety hazards or violations; initiates corrective action.Ensures that all employees and contractors comply with relevant safety policies and regulations.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.Develops and uses control and monitoring mechanisms for adherence.Collaborates with other functions on establishing and documenting joint standards.Participates in defining architectural principles and standards for organization.Ensures communication vehicles are effectively informing affected areas and employees.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.Identifies and documents specific problems and resolution alternatives.Examines a specific problem and understands the perspective of each involved stakeholder.Develops alternative techniques for assessing accuracy and relevance of information.Helps to analyze risks and benefits of alternative approaches and obtain decision on resolution.Project Management: Knowledge of project management principles and practices; ability to plan, organize, execute, and monitor manufacturing engineering projects.Develops project plans, schedules, resource requirements, and status updates.Coordinates activities among stakeholders to achieve project objectives.Tracks project milestones, risks, and deliverables.Supports implementation of new equipment, process improvements, and capital projects.Communicates project status and recommendations to leadership and stakeholders.Top Candidates May Also Have:Experience with CNC machining processes, including setup optimization, cutting tool selection, and process improvement initiatives.Expertise in tooling design, tool management, and manufacturing process engineering within a production environment.Knowledge of smart manufacturing technologies, including data-driven process monitoring, connected manufacturing systems, and digital transformation initiatives.Zoller/tool management initiatives.Automation and collaborative robot (cobot) experience.Experience with capital projects and process improvements.Supplier collaboration and management experience.Advanced product quality planning (APQP) experience.Knowledge of and experience with 6 Sigma and Lean Manufacturing concepts.Additional Information:This position requires the selected candidate to work on-site five days a week in the Pontiac, IL facility.Domestic relocation assistance available is available.VISA sponsorship is not available for this position.Please ensure you frequently sign in to your Candidate Home for any updates or correspondence for positions that you have applied for: #LISummary Pay Range:$97,530.00 - $146,290.00Compensation 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:October 8, 2026 - October 18, 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: Pontiac, IllinoisType: Full time