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Senior Design Engineer - 3500 Machine, O&G, Loco, and IND Platform NPI

Caterpillar Inc.
United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 11 Mar 2026
💰 $169,060/yr($112,710/yr$169,060/yr)

About the role

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.

Your Work Shapes the World

Whether it be groundbreaking products, best in class solutions or creating a lifelong career, you can do the work that matters at Caterpillar. With a 95-year legacy of quality and innovation and 150 locations in countries around the world, your impact spans the globe.

When you join Caterpillar, you are joining a team of makers, innovators, and doers. We are the people who roll up our sleeves and do the work to build a better world. We don’t just talk about progress and innovation. We make it happen. And we are proud of that, because it helps our customers build and power the world we live in – the roads, hospitals, homes, and infrastructure. Without a dedicated workforce Caterpillar could not effectively meet our customer’s needs. Join us.

CATERPILLAR LARGE POWER SYSTEMS
We design and manufacture Cat C27, C32, 3400, 3500, C175, 3600 and C280 platforms; Perkins 4000 series and 5000 series platforms and MWM gas engine platforms, drivetrains and engine system components. Through our global organization, we design and manufacture the most comprehensive lineup of large diesel and natural gas engines in the industry, as well as engine components and powertrains. The large engine product portfolio includes Cat, Perkins and MWM branded products. Applications include Cat machines, electric power generation, marine, oil & gas, industrial and locomotive. 
 

Caterpillar’s Large Power Systems Division is looking for a Senior Design Engineer to support the Lafayette, IN facility. This position will have responsibility for various aspects of large engine design for the 3500 Platform Team. This role collaborates with industry and marketing teams to define engine requirements for programs and then works with performance, validation, component and system design teams to develop new products for Machine, Locomotive, Oil & Gas, and Industrial applications. Projects might include New Technology Investigation (NTI), New Product Introduction (NPI), Current Product Improvement (CPI), and general engineering maintenance.

Job Duties/Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

  • Lead or contribute to design, development, and validation related to 3500 engines through NTI, NPI, and CPI processes
  • Oversee project progress and manage costs while communicating status with stakeholders
  • Host and document reoccurring design team meetings
  • Collaborate with Industry or marketing groups on program requirements
  • Work with validation and L3 engineers to ensure completion of FMEAs and activities needed to fully validate engine designs
  • Support engine performance development and validation in test cells and field locations
  • Develop presentation material for Design, Gateway, Stakeholder, and Technical Readiness Level (TRL) reviews
  • Schedule and lead engine design reviews and deep dive reviews for project milestones
  • Create and update Teamcenter engine arrangement (ARC) models
  • Bill of Material (BOM) Management
  • Ownership of engineering drawing releasing for new designs 
  • Manage procurement of prototype designs utilizing the Prove Design Order (PDO) system
  • Track and resolve issues found during simulation, virtual audits, testing, and assembly
  • Work with Tech Center, factory and dealer technicians to build prototype engines
  • Monitor Pre-Production Reliability Development (PPRD) events and participate in Issue Resolution List (IRL) meetings to drive escalation of events to NPI issues
  • Lead or support NPI Issue investigation and project resolution
  • Respond to marketing requests for evaluation of new sales opportunities for existing products
  • Provide engineering quotations for cost and timelines for new product offerings
  • Define product structure for Pricing Arrangements (PA’s) and Price Lists (PL’s) to ensure product functional requirements and compatibility with available options  
  • Support customer service, industry, and marketing inquiries on past, current, and future products
  • Lead or support CPI and Large Engine Product Improvement (LEPI) projects using Six Sigma DMAIC principles for defining root ca

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Company

Caterpillar Inc.

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