Supplier Development Engineer

Caterpillar; Stafford; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Bonus up to 12%

Pension scheme - Caterpillar matches

Share scheme - 50% match

Flexible benefits (health/dental, EV,

Holiday purchase)

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Supplier Development Engineer to lead supplier quality for APQP/PPAP, drive process capability, and improve manufacturing readiness.

You will assess supplier systems, perform audits, and guide changes to ensure compliance with quality standards across the supply base. You will partner with suppliers to implement Lean, support product launches, and help achieve continuous improvement through robust root cause analysis and corrective actions.

Qualifications

• Experience applying 8D or structured problem solving in manufacturing.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and interpret specs.
• Knowledge of APQP/PPAP processes and quality systems.
• Experience with supplier quality management and audits.

Responsibilities

• Lead supplier quality activities for New Product Introduction and ensure APQP/PPAP are completed.
• Assess supplier systems, process capability, and readiness; drive improvements.
• Conduct supplier audits, capability assessments, and evaluations for compliance.
• Manage supplier changes and ensure timely PCN implementation.
• Support root cause analysis and corrective actions with suppliers.
• Drive performance improvements via metrics, reviews, and development plans.
• Partner with suppliers to implement Lean and sustainable quality.
• Provide technical support during product launches and Start-up activities.

Skills

Effective Communications

Problem Solving

8D Process

Process Improvement

Quality Orientation

Supplier Management

PPAP Knowledge

APQP

Engineering Drawings

Project Management

Metallurgy Experience

Electronics Manufacturing

Measurement Techniques

Job description

Career Area: Procurement

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 Title: Supplier Development Engineer

Salary starting from £57,737 (depending on level of experience)

Location: Peterborough, Stafford or Peterlee

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave
• Up to 12% Bonus
• Contributory pension scheme - Caterpillar will double the employee's contribution
• Up to 10% Contributory share scheme - Caterpillar will match 50% of the employee's contribution.
• Optional flexible benefits including access to health and dental care plans, EV car lease, holiday purchase.

The Opportunity We are seeking an experienced Supplier Development Engineer to join our team, to provide on-site assistance & leadership to Caterpillar’s supply base in the execution of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), the implementation of process control and the deployment of a continuous quality improvement processes. You will ensure that suppliers can meet corporate and business unit requirements for certification and quality of purchased material.

What You Will Do

• Working with suppliers to ensure that robust process controls are in place to prevent nonconformities, to continuously monitor supplier’s key manufacturing processes and quality management system for improvement opportunities and to assist suppliers with Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities to ensure production readiness for New Product Introduction (NPI).
• The SDE is responsible for the supplier’s processes from design concept to the end of product life (cradle to grave), including the following activities:
• Assess and develop supplier quality management systems, process capability, and manufacturing readiness, including people, training, tooling, and equipment.
• Lead supplier quality activities for new product introduction, ensuring APQP and PPAP requirements are completed and approved.
• Review and approve quality documentation, including PFMEAs, Control Plans, MSA/Gage R&R, and corrective action plans.
• Conduct supplier audits, capability assessments, and evaluations to verify compliance, process control, and quality standards.
• Manage supplier process changes and ensure timely implementation of Process Change Notifications (PCNs).
• Support suppliers in resolving quality issues through robust root cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Drive supplier performance improvements through quality metrics, performance reviews, and targeted development plans.
• Partner with suppliers to implement Lean principles and build sustainable quality excellence across the supply base.
• Provide technical support during product launches and manufacturing start-up activities.

What You Will Have

• 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.
• Problem Solving: Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations.
• Experience of applying 8D process or other structured problem-solving techniques in a manufacturing environment.
• Process Improvement: Understanding and insight into evaluating current product quality and production methods and ability to maintain focus on the continuous improvement of processes, products and services.
• Quality Orientation: Knowledge of quality management methods, tools, and techniques; ability to create and support an environment that meets the quality goals of the organization.
• Experience driving quality standards and process compliance across engineering supplier networks to ensure consistent delivery and performance.
• Production Part Approval Process (PPAP): Knowledge of Production Part Approval Processes (PPAP) elements, submissions, and objectives; ability to determine whether a supplier can manufacture products that meet the quality requirements and standards of their customers consistently.
• APQP: Sound knowledge and demonstrated experience of APQP, including the PPAP process, FMEA’s, control plans, process flow, GR&R, and capability studies.
• Manufacturing Standards, Procedures and Policies: Knowledge of organizational standards, procedures and policies in manufacturing activities; ability to plan, guide, and monitor manufacturing processes for compliance.
• Ability to read engineering drawings.
• Supplier Manufacturing Management: Knowledge of processes and methods to effectively manage business relationships and transactions with suppliers of raw materials or product components; ability to apply related knowledge, experience and skills into real practice.
• Supplier Evaluations and Certification: Knowledge of supplier evaluations and certification; ability to identify the methods, tools and documentation for evaluating, selecting and certifying vendors, suppliers and partners.
• Top Candidates will demonstrate Experience working with suppliers.
• Project management experience.
• Material metallurgical experience.
• Experience of working with high volume electronic manufactures.
• Measurement techniques.

Additional information When not travelling to supplier facilities, you will be based in the office full time. This role can be based from Peterborough, Stafford or Peterlee.

About Caterpillar Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For over 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.

NB. The panel cannot make assumptions when shortlisting therefore please demonstrate your qualifications and experience on your CV relevant to the criteria outlined. Pending the number of applications, the criteria for the position may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting. This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Posting Dates: August 14, 2026 - August 30, 2026

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.

There’s more to work at Caterpillar than just the work itself. We hire smart, friendly people and it shows in our culture. We hold ourselves to high standards and make sure our values of integrity, excellence, teamwork, commitment and sustainability come to life in the way we work. We make sure our employees feel continuously challenged while also supported. We provide professional growth opportunities, including leadership programs. We celebrate the diversity of our team, while also working together as one Caterpillar. Our culture, like everything at our company, is made possible by each employee’s contribution. Person by person, we create the environment we work in, and we are proud of the Caterpillar we’ve built.