Internship Spring & Summer 2026 - Manufacturing Engineering (ONSITE)

Career Area:

Students and Graduates

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.

Caterpillar's Large Engine Center in Lafayette, IN has an exciting internship for Manufacturing Engineering. This is an ONSITE opportunity that starts during the SPRING 2026 semester, through SUMMER 2026.

Manufacturing Engineering interns assist more senior engineers in implementing engineering techniques, processes, tools and machinery in order to maximize product quality.
 
Responsibilities 
Applying basic engineering knowledge to develop technical skills and understanding of the business, products, systems, and procedures. 

• Assisting with the analysis and implementation of new or improved processes, products, or systems. 

• Helping resolve issues with design, manufacture or build sequences for processes and products.

• Assisting in ensuring design acceptance and manufacturing readiness. 

• Performing needs analysis and initiating ideas. 

Requirements

• Actively pursuing a Bachelors degree in Engineering

• Able to work 12 - 20 hours /week ONSITE at our facility in Lafayette, IN during SPRING 2026 AND up to 40 hours/week during the SUMMER 2026 semesters

Degree Requirement
Engineering Degree in progress

Skill Descriptors
Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
Level Basic Understanding:

• Describes non-verbal behaviors that influence the interpretation of the message. 

• Cites examples of effective and ineffective communications. 

• Explains the importance of effective business communication. 

• Speaks/writes using correct language, mechanics, and gestures.

Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.

Level Basic Understanding: 

• Explains characteristics and steps in an effective decision-making process. 

• Identifies issues and communicates with others when a decision needs to be made. 

• Names decision makers in own environment and cites examples of past decisions. 

• Describes types of decisions incumbent may and may not make in own job or function.

Initiative: Being proactive and committing to action on self-identified job responsibilities and challenges; ability to seek out work and the drive to accomplish goals.
Level Basic Understanding: 
      • Describes opportunities for taking initiative in the organization.
      • Cites examples of taking initiative in own personal or professional life.
      • Identifies types of environments that motivate or de-motivate initiative.
      • Explains how initiative is critical to success.

Teamwork: Knowledge of the necessity and value of teamwork; experience with; ability to work cooperatively towards shared goals and being supportive of others at all levels.

Level Basic Understanding: 

• Names primary and ancillary members, roles and responsibilities of own team.

• Explains the importance and benefits of a cohesive work team.

• Reviews team mission and objectives.

• Identifies and discusses the characteristics of good teamwork.

Technical Excellence: Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.

Level Basic Understanding: 

•  Uses a structured approach in analyzing and resolving technical problems.

•  Seeks opportunities for continual learning to maintain technical competence in pursuit of technical excellence.

• Provides examples or case studies demonstrating technical excellence in actual business scenarios.

• Pursues, prepares for and assumes new technical assignments and challenges.

Product Engineeri