Design Engineer

Career Area:

Engineering

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.

Job Summary:

The Undercarriage Engineering team is seeking a Design Engineer to support undercarriage components across applicable product lines. The team has design control responsibility for undercarriage components, including rollers, idlers, track groups, link assemblies, and segments.

This role is primarily focused on the product design of track pads, track shoes and sprockets, considering system performance, manufacturability, quality, and cost. The Design Engineer will collaborate closely with manufacturing, purchasing, supply chain, validation, and simulation partners to deliver robust designs while meeting program timelines and cost objectives.

What You Will Do:

This role requires sound engineering judgment and strong communication skills to effectively interact with engineering teams, platform teams, purchasing, and manufacturing partners. Job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Develop design concepts and drawings of complex structural systems that meet functional and technical requirements, cost and weight targets, quality initiatives, and manufacturing process requirements.
• Support validation activities, including laboratory testing and field trials.
• Lead component NPI, CPI, and APQP activities.
• Collaborate with external suppliers and internal manufacturing facilities, engineering partners, and the machine Product Group.

Education requirement:

Requires a bachelor's degree in an accredited engineering or engineering technology curriculum.

What skills will you have:

Product Design and Development:

• Applies Creo Parametric to design and validate components for durability and compliance with Caterpillar standards.
• Leads proof-of-concept development integrating feedback from DFMEA and Design Reviews.
• Solves design challenges by reviewing Tolerance Stack-up Analysis.
• Ensures product quality through integration of Six Sigma methodologies and Design Verification Plans (DVP&R).

Product Design - MFG:

• Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including procurement, production, and quality assurance, to align design objectives with manufacturing capabilities using APQP methodology

Technical Excellence:

• Collaborates with cross-functional SMEs for design validation and issue resolution, ensuring alignment with Caterpillar's engineering standards.
• Assume accountability for personal technical performance.

Effective Communication:

• Creates technical documents and presentations for varied audiences.
• Demonstrates both empathy and assertiveness when communicating a need or defending a decision.
• A self‑starter mindset with strong accountability, quality focus, customer orientation, and teamwork skills.
• Communicate well downward, upward, and outward.
• Employ appropriate methods of persuasion when soliciting agreement.

Top Candidates will also have:

• Experience using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) tools such as Creo Simulate.
• Masters degree in engineering, business or related field.
• Experience in lab or field validation.
• Undercarriage product knowledge, or dozer machine knowledge.
• Knowledge of casting, forging, and heat treatment processes.
• Experience supporting NPI and CPI programs.
• Proven ability to collaborate with suppliers to optimize designs for manufacturability and quality.
• Experience with Caterpillar Engineering Systems (Creo, Teamcenter, HVC, EDS, etc.).

Additional Information:

This position requires the candidate to work onsite five days a week at the Peoria, IL office.

Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position.

Visa sponsorship is NOT available with this position.

This position may require up to 10% travel.

Summary Pay Range:

$97,530.00 - $146,290.00

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:

April 9, 2026 - April 16, 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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