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Manufacturing

Manufacturing Project Engineer

Location Lafayette, Indiana, United States Of America
Date Posted
Apply By
Contract Type Full time
Job Type Regular
Requisition ID R0000362151

Description

Career Area:

Manufacturing

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 Manufacturing Project Engineer supports process development projects for the continuous improvement of the safety, quality, velocity and cost of manufacturing.

Responsibilities

  • Providing technical expertise and guidance in major manufacturing projects, working with internal/external suppliers to support/improve manufacturing productivity and cost effectiveness.

  • Implementing major systems and the coordination of those systems with the total plant.

  • Communicating with suppliers to analyze their current or proposed product/process designs to determine feasibility of using existing designs or modifying the designs to improve process and/or product.

  • Providing guidance to manufacturing engineers and operators in order to develop high quality products and processes.

Degree Requirement
Bachelors Degree or Relevent Experience

Skill Descriptors
Capacity Planning & Management - MFG: Knowledge of tools, approaches and practices for determining production demand and ability to manage resources needed to provide satisfactory levels of service.
Level Extensive Knowledge:

  • Works with R&D (research & development) staff to plan resource and capacity requirements for products under development.

  • Creates consolidated forecasts for multiple product lines and production facilities.

  • Advises on multiple cycles of short- and long-term capacity planning for product or site.

  • Compares and contrasts alternative approaches and tools for capacity planning.

  • Develops estimates and costs for incremental capacity requirements.

  • Translates demand forecasts into production and capacity requirements.

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

  • Generates specifications for parts or components with CAD software.

  • Reuses design components via reusable libraries following standard procedures.

  • Uses CAD to perform basic drafting such as wire frames, solid objects and array of objects.

  • Performs routine changes to computerized schematics or drawings.

  • Creates views of objects in 2 and 3 dimensions; creates perspective drawings and orthogonal views.

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 Working Knowledge:

  • Applies an assigned technique for critical thinking in a decision-making process.

  • Identifies, obtains, and organizes relevant data and ideas.

  • Participates in documenting data, ideas, players, stakeholders, and processes.

  • Recognizes, clarifies, and prioritizes concerns.

  • Assists in assessing risks, benefits and consideration of alternatives.

Engineering - MFG: Knowledge of processes, techniques and methods of engineering in a manufacturing environment; ability to design and implement materials, structures, machines, devices, systems and processes that safely realize a desired objective or invention.
Level Working Knowledge:

  • Assists in problem resolution, drafting and writing specifications for engineering practices.

  • Works with basic, routine components of the engineering discipline in manufacturing.

  • Performs basic installation, maintenance and repairs for a specific engineering function.

  • Follows relevant standards, policies and practices in engineering operations.

  • Reports unusual engineering issues and considerations regarding manufacturing operations to senior staff.

Project Management: Knowledge of effective project management strategies and tactics; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control projects, ensuring efficient utilization of technical and administrative resources to achieve project objectives.
Level Extensive Knowledge:

  • Utilizes preferred tools, techniques and methods for estimating project cost and time.

  • Plans, estimates, staffs, organizes and monitors significant projects.

  • Identifies risks and vulnerabilities; creates contingency plans.

  • Conducts regular and ad-hoc project reviews with project team, sponsors, and clients.

  • Maintains open communication among project participants and interested parties

  • Communicates reporting requirements; creates monitoring and control mechanisms.

Robotics/Computer Controlled Machinery: Knowledge of robotics technologies and computer controlled machinery; ability to implement and operate robotics and computer controlled machinery in an automated manufacturing environment.
Level Working Knowledge:

  • Loads different programs and new instructions.

  • Resolves common robotics problems.

  • Works with simple robots performing manufacturing process sub-functions.

  • Assesses tasks for automation potential; obtains information about alternative robotic solutions.

  • Assists with analyzing space and cost requirements associated with robot usage.

Technical Troubleshooting: Knowledge of technical troubleshooting approaches, tools, and techniques; ability to anticipate, recognize, and resolve technical issues on hardware, software, application, or operation.
Level Working Knowledge:

  • Discovers, analyzes and resolves hardware, software, or application problems.

  • Works with vendor-specific diagnostic guides, tools, and utilities.

  • Handles calls related to product features, applications, and compatibility standards.

  • Analyzes code, logs, and current systems as part of advanced troubleshooting.

  • Records and reports specific technical problems, solving processes and tools that have been used.

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

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Relocation is available for this position.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates:

May 21, 2026 - May 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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