Senior Engineer-Design

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.

Job Summary:    

The ICD Wear & Maintenance – Undercarriage Engineering team is seeking a Senior Design Engineer to lead complex design and development work for undercarriage components across EM and HEX product families. This role provides technical leadership in the design, analysis, and validation of critical systems such as roller, Idlers and Track and related structures, and guiding structures.

This position will focus first and foremost on product design, manufacturing and process quality with a zero-defect mindset while also trying to hit the program timeline and cost goals.

What You Will Do:

The Senior Engineer will drive design excellence, support product performance improvements, and influence long‑term undercarriage strategy. Partners closely with global engineering teams, manufacturing, suppliers, quality, and NPI/CPI program leaders to ensure reliable, durable, and cost‑effective solutions.

• Develop design concepts and drawings of complex structural systems that meet functional and technical requirements, cost and weight goals, quality initiatives, and manufacturing process requirements.
• Support validation activities such as test and field trials.
• Lead NPI, CPI and support APQP activities.
• Collaborate with external suppliers and internal manufacturing facilities, engineering partners, and the core Product Group.
• Mentor junior engineers, guide design decisions, and lead issue resolution for factory, field, and customer support needs.

Education requirement:

Requires a degree in an accredited Engineering curriculum.       

What skills you will have:

Product Design and Development:

• Applies Creo Parametric, Creo Simulate, and Structural Stress to design and validate components for durability and compliance with Caterpillar standards.
• Leads proof-of-concept development using rapid prototyping tools and digital mockups, integrating feedback from DFMEA and Design Reviews.
• Applies strategic input on complex 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:

• Knowledge collaborating with suppliers to optimize designs for ease of manufacturability focusing on Team Feasibility Commitments.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including procurement, production, and quality assurance, to align design objectives with manufacturing capabilities using APQP methodology.

Technical Excellence:

• Provides expert assessment on structural analysis and design using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) tools such as Creo Simulate and Structural Stress to ensure robust technical solutions.
• Collaborates with cross-functional SMEs for design validation and issue resolution, ensuring alignment with Caterpillar’s engineering standards.
• Assume accountability for personal technical performance and holds others responsible for theirs.

Effective Communication:

• Adapt documents and presentations for the intended audience using structured reporting tools and SharePoint.
• Demonstrate both empathy and assertiveness when communicating a need or defending a position
• Communicate well downward, upward, and outward.
• Employ appropriate methods of persuasion when soliciting agreement.

The Top Candidates will also have:

• Undercarriage product knowledge.
• Previous knowledge designing wear components.
• Previous knowledge of casting, forging and heat treatment.
• Previous knowledge in NPI and CPI programs.
• Knowledge collaborating with suppliers to optimize designs for manufacturability.
• Knowledge of Caterpillar Engineering Systems (Creo, Teamcenter, HVC, EDS, etc.).
• A self-starter, accountable, quality focused, and customer driven with strong teamwork and organizational skills.

Additional Information:    

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