Manufacturing Engineer

Caterpillar Caterpillar · Industrial · Pontiac, IL

Manufacturing Engineer role at Caterpillar, supporting production processes, improving equipment performance, and driving continuous improvement in safety, quality, cost, and delivery. Requires a Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent experience, familiarity with quality and manufacturing systems, and strong problem-solving skills.

What you'd actually do

  1. Support manufacturing operations by improving process capability, equipment reliability, and product quality.
  2. Participate in identifying and implementing processes improvements.
  3. Monitor process performance and equipment reliability; identify and address problem areas through structured problem solving.
  4. Analyze engineering change notices and implement required process or part changes.
  5. Provide engineering support for planning, development, operation, and maintenance of manufacturing equipment and processes.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree (Engineering preferred) or equivalent experience.
  • Familiarity with quality and manufacturing systems (e.g., control plans, PFMEAs, process documentation).
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with operations and cross-functional teams.
  • Manufacturing Processes: Working knowledge of both soft and hard manufacturing processes.
  • Engineering – MFG: Experience supporting production processes in a manufacturing environment.
  • Manufacturing Equipment: Comfortable working on the shop floor for extended periods, supporting operations.
  • Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Extensive knowledge of decision-making processes and associated tools and techniques; ability to analyze complex, ambiguous situations, synthesize multiple data sources, and consistently make high-quality decisions based on informed judgment that drive effective business outcomes.
  • 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.

Nice to have

  • Experience supporting machining, assembly, or automated manufacturing processes in a production environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead or influence process improvements beyond assigned responsibilities.
  • Experience applying structured problem-solving methods to resolve recurring production issues.
  • Experience supporting equipment improvements, installations, or process changes from concept through implementation.
  • Ability to prioritize work and manage multiple issues in a fast-paced production environment.