Manufacturing Project Engineer

Caterpillar Inc.•Peoria, IL

4d•$112,710 - $169,060•Onsite

About The Position

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. Job Summary: The Wear Components Technical Services team plays a critical role in supporting Caterpillar’s Ground Engaging Tools (GET) and Undercarriage (UC) components across a broad portfolio of machine platforms. As a Manufacturing Project Engineer, you will be at the center of product development and transforming how these critical components are manufactured —driving innovation, performance, cost management, and above all, quality. In this role, you’ll work both independently and collaboratively to develop manufacturing sources, improve processes, resolve product issues, and shape future state manufacturing strategies. You’ll serve as a technical leader and trusted subject matter expert, guiding projects from concept through execution while ensuring alignment with Caterpillar’s commitments to People, Quality, Velocity, and Cost.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, engineering technology, or a related field, or equivalent technical knowledge demonstrated through professional experience.
Project Management: Organizing & driving progress for component production startup with our facilities and worldwide supply base.
Lead manufacturing and capital projects from concept through implementation, balancing scope, schedule, and budget.
Coordinate and influence cross functional teams across engineering, operations, supply chain, and suppliers to deliver results.
Promote and apply best practices in project execution and capital management to drive consistency, repeatability, and predictable outcomes.
Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Actively seek input from multiple cross functional partners to develop well-rounded, enterprise focused solutions.
Make informed decisions that support both short-term execution and long-term manufacturing strategy across People, Quality, Velocity, and Cost.
Communicate decisions clearly and confidently, building alignment and buy in across engineering, operations, and supply chain teams.
Engineering – Manufacturing (MFG): Follow the APQP framework to develop robust manufacturing processes with controls to ensure highest quality in development and production.
Use appropriate tools and simulations (for example, Magma casting simulation) in collaboration with supply base to develop, evaluate, and select optimal manufacturing processes.
Apply lean manufacturing principles to reduce waste, improve process flow, and enhance overall process capability.
Apply metallurgical knowledge to support material selection, casting processes, wear performance, and manufacturability of GET and UC components.
Support steel casting and forging manufacturing processes, including process development, optimization, and production readiness.
Mentor and coach manufacturing and supplier development engineers on product requirements and process design methodologies, strengthening technical depth capability within the extended team.
Technical Troubleshooting: Identify and resolve complex manufacturing, equipment, material, and process issues using structured problem solving and data analysis.
Partner with operations, engineering, quality, procurement, and suppliers to troubleshoot issues impacting safety, quality, delivery, or cost.
Support root cause analysis and corrective actions to drive sustainable improvements in manufacturing performance and product consistency.

Responsibilities

Provide technical leadership on a variety of manufacturing projects supporting GET and UC components, partnering with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to improve productivity, quality, and cost performance.
Work directly with suppliers & facilities on APQP based development of parts into production, supporting New Product Introduction (NPI), Continuous Product Improvement (CPI), and other sourcing efforts.
Contribute to the implementation and coordination of manufacturing systems and process changes, ensuring smooth integration into plant operations and minimal disruption.
Evaluate product and process designs, assessing manufacturability, feasibility, and opportunities for continuous improvement.
Serve as a mentor and technical resource for manufacturing and supplier development engineers, strengthening technical capability and promoting APQP standards & best practices across our worldwide manufacturing base.
Develop and manage detailed project plans, clearly defining scope, timing, resources, and risks to meet customer and business expectations.
Execute transformation initiatives in alignment with established standards related to People, Quality, Velocity, and Cost, ensuring sustainable and scalable outcomes.
Collaborate closely with design engineering teams to communicate, track, and drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) improvements.
Coordinate New Product Introduction (NPI) activities with product groups and manufacturing engineering teams to ensure successful launches and production readiness.