Senior Design Engineer

Lafayette, Indiana

Full time

R0000388367

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.

Role Summary:

As a Cylinder Pack Design Engineer, you will be responsible for core engine components and systems, directing and contributing to their development and design while strengthening your analytical skills and understanding engineering concepts. You will have design ownership for cylinder pack development including pistons, rings, and liners within Large Power Systems Division. You will contribute to the development of diesel, natural gas, and alternative fuel reciprocating engines serving a variety of customers across the world. You will partner with a global team of engineers, suppliers, and production facilities to develop products throughout their lifecycle through the phases of concepting, design, validation, production, and post-production support. You will contribute to the planning and delivery of projects, continually learn, and stay abreast of innovative technology, and broaden your professional network.

What you will do:

• Engage with suppliers on concurrent product and process design to achieve our performance, quality, production delivery, and financial objectives.

• Work with the engine platform teams to achieve their goals and keep them abreast of progress and developments in NPI, NTI, CPI, and NSI projects.

• Direct and/or conduct analytical simulation work, providing boundary conditions, load inputs, and evaluation of results.

• Apply product development skills - conceptual design, development of products process, data analysis & extraction, failure investigation, and requirements management.

• Execute maintenance activities such as factory and customer problem resolution, cost reduction and robustness improvement projects.

• Communicate results to customers, suppliers, team members, and other business units.

• Function as a critical member of a project team including cross-functional roles in purchasing and operations.

• Gather input from a team of technical experts in developing component designs.

• Gather input from a broad team to formulate decisions and develop the output for the project. Key areas of responsibility are: plan and manage the job/project; manage the business/financial aspects of the job or project; provide a supportive work environment for the team; mentor, coach, and develop others; and manage one's own development.

• Direct and/or conduct analytical simulation work, providing boundary conditions, load inputs, and evaluation of results.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in an accredited Engineering, Computer Science, or Materials Science curriculum

• Experience with engine testing, calibration, simulation, or controls development

Skills you will have:

• Analytical Thinking: Extensive 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.

• Effective Communications: Extensive 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.

• Managing Multiple Priorities: Extensive 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.

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

• Computer-Aided Design & Engineering: Extensive knowledge of tools and techniques of specialized graphics programs; ability to produce, analyze, simulate and test product design drafts.

• Product Design - MFG: Extenive knowledge of processes, approaches, tools and techniques of product design; ability to convert customer and market requirements into product design.

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

Top candidates will have:

• Recognized team player with excellent communication, interpersonal and collaboration skills.

• Strong desire to learn and grow technical skills.

• Cylinder pack, engine components design background

• Materials experience or understanding (fatigue life, tribology, wear, etc.)

• Validation testing definition experience using FMEA and DVP&R methods.

• Engine performance and component testing experience

• Engine platform and customer application understanding

• APQP, PPAP and design release experience

• Strong communication skills - Oral and written coming together to develop and deliver technical presentations.

• Technical knowledge - experience with engine testing, calibration, simulation, or controls development

• Engine system or component design and design for manufacturing experience

• Self-starter with strong technical leadership skills

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret structural, dynamic, and metallurgical analysis.

• Emphasis on initiative and leading collaborative

Additional Information

• This position is located in Lafayette, IN.

• Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position.?

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.??

Final details

Please 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.

For more information, visit caterpillar.com.

Summary Pay Range:

$112,710.00 - $169,060.00

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

Posting Dates:

August 17, 2026 - August 28, 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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There's more to work at Caterpillar than just the work itself. We hire smart, friendly people and it shows in our culture. We hold ourselves to high standards and make sure our values of integrity, excellence, teamwork, commitment and sustainability come to life in the way we work. We make sure our employees feel continuously challenged while also supported. We provide professional growth opportunities, including leadership programs. We celebrate the diversity of our team, while also working together as one Caterpillar.

Our culture, like everything at our company, is made possible by each employee's contribution. Person by person, we create the environment we work in, and we are proud of the Caterpillar we've built.