Sr Principal Engineer

Career Area:

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.

About the Role:

The Turbine Production Engineering (TPE) department provides our manufacturing, operations, and supply chain partners with technical engineering support related to Solar’s gas turbine components and assemblies. TPE engineers are expected to support all engine model lines with respect to their accountable part family.

This position requires extensive collaboration with internal customers within manufacturing, operations, supply chain, and design engineering to address component quality, cost, and velocity. TPE engineers must be able to interpret functional design requirements, detailed engineering specifications, and manufacturing methods for a wide range of component types including castings, forgings, machining, and fabrications. The individual is responsible for executing projects through structured approaches such as Six Sigma and Lean methodologies. Engineers are expected to work closely with multi-disciplinary engineering teams to promote the product’s quality and durability. Ability to be proactive and work in fast-paced manufacturing environment is mandatory. Some travel may be required.

The TPE Product Quality Engineer primary roles are:
•    Be a first responder to provide technical support for all new manufacturing operations.
•    Be the authoritative body for dispositioning discrepant material (MRB Non-conformances).
•    Be responsible for dimensional & process integrity when reviewing and approving PPAP qualifications.
•    Drive process rigor for sustained long term manufacturing and quality improvements.

What You Need To Have

A Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering / Manufacturing Engineering or closely related degree with engineering-related experience is required. This individual should possess a fundamental knowledge of design practices, quality management systems, and manufacturing processes. Must be a proactive self-starter with strong communication skills who works well with teams and demonstrates a high sense of urgency when needed. This position requires consistent time & priority management skills balanced with attention to detail. Top candidates need to have a strong desire to learn and expand their process knowledge and collaboratively lead diverse skillsets across the organization. Individual provides technical leadership.

Education & Experience Background: 
•    A Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering / Manufacturing Engineering or closely related degree with over 10 years of engineering-related experience is required. 

Effective Communications:
•    Must be a proactive self-starter with strong communication skills who works well with others.
•    Demonstrates a high sense of urgency when needed.

Managing Multiple Priorities:
•    This position also requires multi-tasking skills balanced with attention to detail.
 
Project Management & Communication skills: 
•    Leads and works well with diverse skillset teams
•    Excellent written & verbal communication, project management, and leadership skills are highly desirable.
•    Ability to organize & execute assigned tasks in team environment to meet expected deliverables.

Technical Excellence:
•    Provides technical leadership
•    This individual should possess knowledge of design practices, quality management systems, and manufacturing processes.
•    Fundamental knowledge and experience with quality systems and processes such as:
    - RCCA, BIQ, COR/CAR, PPAP, RN/RTA, etc.
•    Ability to lead & collaborate with teams of diverse skillset
•    Ability to read Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T ASME-Y 14.5M-1994)
•    Ability to read and interpret results from CMM, ATOS, and similar inspection reports.
•    Basic knowledge of Pro-E CREO, or similar CAD systems
•    Basic knowledge of machining and NDT inspection processes

Top Candidates Will Have:

Technical Excellence:
•    Knowledge of Turbomachinery Design, Manufacturing and/or Supplier Technical Experience 
•    Knowledge of mechanical design engineering methodologies 
•    Basic kno