Design Engineer

Caterpillar Caterpillar · Industrial · Menominee, MI

Design Engineer at Caterpillar focused on hose couplings and fluid transfer components. Responsibilities include product design, stress analysis using FEA, supporting NPI and CPI initiatives, collaborating with suppliers on DFM, and ensuring product quality and performance throughout the lifecycle.

What you'd actually do

  1. Create design concepts and drawings for hose couplings and related components that meet functional and technical requirements, cost and weight targets, quality standards, and manufacturing capabilities.
  2. Perform stress analysis of designs using tools such as Creo Simulate or other FEA software to ensure durability and performance under operating conditions.
  3. Support validation activities, including lab testing, field trials, and product performance evaluations to ensure reliability and customer satisfaction.
  4. Support and lead APQP activities, including DFMEA development, validation planning, and production readiness efforts.
  5. Collaborate with external suppliers, manufacturing facilities, engineering partners, and the core Product Group to support product development, sourcing, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Required

  • Proficiency in designing hose couplings and fluid transfer components
  • Working knowledge of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) tools
  • Familiarity with ANSYS, Abaqus, or Creo Simulate
  • Ability to interpret and apply engineering standards, GD&T, and tolerance stack-ups
  • Knowledge of DFMEA
  • Experience collaborating with suppliers to improve design for manufacturability (DFM)
  • Coordinates with cross-functional teams
  • Understanding of DFMA principles
  • Proficiency with PLM systems such as Teamcenter or Windchill
  • Familiarity with manufacturing processes
  • Develops creative and effective design solutions
  • Conducts material selection and analysis
  • Proficiency in Creo (Pro/ENGINEER)
  • Ability to create and manage BOMs and engineering change documentation
  • Participates in design reviews, validation testing, and product development activities
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Clearly documents and presents design concepts, technical data, and project updates
  • Comfortable working in a global team environment
  • Prepares technical reports, design justifications, and engineering documentation
  • Participates in and contributes to design reviews, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional meetings