Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

Career Area:
Engineering

Job 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.

The NPI Mechanical Integration Team is part of the NPI Design Engineering organization responsible for developing gas turbine solutions for our customers. The team is accountable specifically for engine-to-package integration, engine section to section integration, new engines concept development, design of external hardware, and engine validation phase facilitation.

This role will be primarily focused on the design and standardization of compressor actuation system. Additionally, this role will be providing support to Rotodynamics team on RCA's and development test investigations, developing and coordinating solutions to engine/package interfacing, designing external hardware and participating in engine validation through development testing.

The successful candidate will have the skills necessary to define, lead and execute projects starting from root cause analysis or concept through validation, and implementation.

Candidates must have

• BS or BEng degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related degree with a mid-level of applied mechanical design work experience
• Gas turbine component / systems mechanical design and analysis experience
• Experience collaborating on cross-functional design teams, presenting on design reviews and documenting design per NPI (New Product Introduction) tollgate process
• Familiarity with gas turbine components / systems, functionality as well as its manufacturing and assembly processes.
• Experience with interpreting, defining, and reviewing manufacturing and assembly drawings
• Basic 2D/3D CAD modeling capabilities (2D concept creation, 3D model creation / modifying)

Top candidates will have

• Experience in design / Finite Element structural analysis (FEA) of components / systems. (i.e., stress, deflection, modal, leakage, harmonic, transients, etc.)
• Experience interacting with external suppliers through concurrent engineering
• Ability to evaluate gas turbine components / systems to prove they meet manufacturing, assembly, durability and functional requirements.
• Exposure to development engine testing (defining instrumentation, supporting engine build and testing)
• Knowledgeable on gas turbine systems operability (start system, lube oil system, control system, secondary cooling flow, etc.)

• Experience defining and implementing engineering procedures for product / process improvements or design engineering guidelines.

• Risk assessment, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis, and Root Cause Analysis expertise.

Skill Descriptors

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.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue and determining its significance.
• Makes a systematic comparison of two or more alternative solutions.
• Uses flow charts, Pareto charts, fish diagrams, etc. to disclose meaningful data patterns.
• Uses logic and intuition to make inferences about the meaning of the data and arrive at conclusions.
• Identifies the major forces, events, and people impacting and impacted by the situation at hand.

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.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Differentiates assumptions, perspectives, and historical frameworks.
• Evaluates past decisions for insights to improve decision-making process.
• Assesses and validates decision options and points and predicts their potential impact.
• Advises others in analyzing and synthesizing relevant data and assessing alternatives.
• Uses effective decision-making approaches such as consultative, command, or consensus.
• Ensures that assumptions and received wisdom are objectively analyzed in decisions.

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.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending the recipient.
• Listens to feedback without defensiveness and uses it for own communication effectiveness.
• Makes 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.

Managing Multiple Priorities: Knowledge of effective self-management practices; ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments as to prioritizing and time allocation.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Recognizes changing demands and priorities; validates changes with management.
• Obtains information about how current assignments contribute to organizational goals.
• Completes current work according to assigned priorities.
• Responds to day-to-day operational priorities while still making progress on project work.
• Performs at least 2-3 concurrent activities without reducing productivity.

Technical Excellence: Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.

Level Working Knowledge:

• 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.

Design Engineering: Knowledge of designing and engineering products and systems; ability to use principles of mathematics, science, and engineering to develop, analyze, and improve product or system specifications, functionality, and performance.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Develops detailed engineering designs and specifications.
• Evaluates and selects materials, equipment, and suppliers.
• Conducts feasibility studies and cost analyses to determine project feasibility.
• Designs and develops prototypes and tests to validate design concepts.
• Analyzes and interprets test data to identify design flaws and recommend improvements.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to ensure design meets project requirements and timelines.

Product Testing: 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.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Coordinates execution of test plans, including resources, strategy, schedules, processes and tools.
• Collaborates with design team to ensure testing considerations are incorporated into system design.
• Recommends tools and techniques for automating, simplifying and enhancing product testing.
• Compares and contrasts alternative testing methodologies and tools.
• Matches testing methodology and tools to product being tested; develops test scenarios and scripts.
• Estimates time, effort and resources required for thorough testing.

Product Design and Development: Knowledge of product features; ability to design, build, and develop a new product, technology, or service from concept through to production.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Builds three-dimensional models with basic materials.
• Communicates with professionals to understand various requirements of product design.
• Tests and evaluates alternative means of production being considered for use.
• Uses automated tools to design or modify the design of a product.
• Assists in building a complex prototype of product.

Summary Pay Range:

$120,600.00 - $180,900.00

Compensation 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 benefits
• Life Insurance
• Parental leave
• Adoption benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement

* These benefits also apply to part-time employees

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates:
June 22, 2026 - July 20, 2026

Any 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.

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