Director of Manufacturing Engineering – Sanford Advanced Manufacturing

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Job Description:

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Caterpillar is developing a new advanced manufacturing campus in Sanford, North Carolina, to expand production capacity for compact track loaders and telehandlers. The modern, technology-enabled operation is expected to incorporate automation, robotics, digital production systems and integrated logistics capabilities to enhance safety, quality and operational performance. Employees will help build the products our customers rely on while developing skills in advanced manufacturing and supporting the continued growth of Caterpillar’s Cat Compact℠ business.

Job Summary

Caterpillar is seeking a Director of Manufacturing Engineering to lead manufacturing engineering strategy for a new advanced manufacturing operation in Sanford, North Carolina. This role is central to building a new facility from the ground up. You will shape the factory’s digital, automated and connected manufacturing capabilities during startup with leadership for the systems, organization, technical standards and operating discipline needed for long-term success.

You will lead from facility development and equipment commissioning through production ramp-up, go-live and stable operations. Working across operations, product engineering, quality, supply chain, facilities, safety, information technology and external partners, you will create scalable manufacturing capabilities.

A significant part of this assignment will focus on smart manufacturing, including automation, connected equipment, manufacturing execution systems, digital work processes, real-time performance data and advanced material movement. The role requires a leader who can connect manufacturing engineering, operations and technology decisions into one practical operating model.

A core objective of the role will be to transform traditional manufacturing processes with longer build cycles into a faster, more responsive operating model. This leader will use automation, connected systems, advanced material flow and process redesign to reduce end-to-end build time while maintaining safety, quality and process control.

What You Will Do

• Lead manufacturing engineering for a new advanced manufacturing facility development through go-live.

• Lead the deployment of smart manufacturing capabilities and digital manufacturing standards, including robotics, industrial automation, connected equipment, digital work instructions, manufacturing execution systems, smart factory platforms, automated inspection, data visibility and advanced material movement solutions.

• Lead the transition from traditional production cycles to shorter build times by identifying constraints, redesigning manufacturing processes and deploying automation, connected equipment and advanced material-flow solutions.

• Direct equipment design reviews, supplier technical reviews, installation planning, equipment acceptance, process qualification, startup issue resolution and complex engineering project execution.

• Establish and execute the manufacturing engineering strategy, including production processes, plant layout, material flow, tooling, equipment, automation, machine connectivity, digital manufacturing systems and technical support infrastructure.

• Develop and manage an integrated manufacturing-readiness plan covering facility requirements, equipment procurement, installation, commissioning, process validation, workforce readiness and production launch.

• Build and develop an inclusive, high-performing manufacturing engineering organization with technical capability, operating discipline and leadership depth needed to support startup, and go-live.

• Partner with operations, product engineering, quality, supply chain, facilities, safety, finance, information technology, equipment suppliers and external partners to achieve facility, equipment and production-readiness milestones.

• Establish standard work, process controls, engineering governance, operating procedures and performance measures that support safe, repeatable and scalable manufacturing.

• Use manufacturing data, process signals, equipment performance, quality, yield, runtime, capacity and cost data to improve flow, eliminate waste, increase process capability and implement sustainable improvements.

• Translate demand forecasts and product plans into short-term and long-term capacity, resource, technology and capital requirements.

• Guide the resolution of technically challenging manufacturing problems and ensure durable corrective actions are implemented.

• Present project status, investment recommendations, technical risks, tradeoffs and mitigation plans to senior leaders and other decision-makers.

What You Have

Strategic Thinking: Ability to create long-term manufacturing strategies aligned with growth, operational excellence and competitive advantage.

Change Leadership: Ability to lead organizational change, manufacturing modernization and adoption of new technologies and processes.

Influencing and Executive Communication: Ability to present evidence-based recommendations, build alignment and influence decisions across functions and leadership levels.

Automation and Smart Manufacturing: Knowledge of robotics, industrial automation, manufacturing execution systems, machine connectivity, smart factory platforms, equipment data, digital work instructions and connected manufacturing solutions.

Manufacturing Velocity and Flow: Ability to reduce end-to-end build time through process simplification, constraint elimination, line balancing, automation and data-driven continuous improvement while maintaining safety, quality and process control.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to build productive relationships across operations, engineering, quality, supply chain, facilities safety, finance, information technology and external partners.

Manufacturing Startup Leadership: Ability to develop manufacturing-readiness plans, lead commissioning, support production ramp-up and transition capabilities into stable operations.

Top Candidates Will Also Have

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering disciplines

• Extensive leadership experience in manufacturing engineering, process engineering, industrial engineering, plant engineering, advanced manufacturing or a related technical function.

• Experience developing and implementing manufacturing processes, production systems, equipment, machinery, tooling and automation.

• Experience building, leading and developing technical teams through significant growth or change.

• Led advanced manufacturing startups, major expansions, and large-scale transformations from facility design and construction through production launch, ramp-up, stabilization, and ongoing operations.

• Built and led manufacturing engineering organizations, establishing technical standards, operating systems, workforce capability, and operational discipline to sustain long-term performance.

• Directed manufacturing readiness and industrialization efforts, including plant layout, material flow, equipment qualification, process validation, workforce readiness, NPI, and production scale-up.

• Deployed automation and smart manufacturing solutions while partnering across operations, engineering, quality, supply chain, and technology teams to deliver scalable manufacturing improvements and capital investments.

What You Will Get

• Help shape manufacturing engineering for a new operation from site launch through long-term performance.

• Work across operations, engineering, quality, supply chain, facilities, safety, information technology and external partners.

• Lead manufacturing capabilities that support automation, connected equipment, data visibility and scalable operations.

• Help create a faster, more responsive manufacturing model that uses automation and connected technology to shorten build cycles and improve production flow.

• Build and develop a technical organization that will continue supporting the site after go-live.

• Contribute to meaningful work that supports operational excellence and long-term business success.

Additional Info:

• Location: Sanford, North Carolina

• Work Arrangement: Onsite, five days per week. Locations may flex between temporary offices while transitioning to new facility.

• Travel: High percentage of travel (50-75%) may be required at certain times during construction planning, supplier reviews, equipment installation, commissioning, startup and production ramp-up.

• Schedule: This will be a demanding and very rewarding role. Selected candidate should have schedule flexibility to meet project requirements.

• Relocation: US domestic relocation is available

• Visa Sponsorship: Not available

Summary Pay Range:

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:

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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