Design Engineer - Undercarriage

Caterpillar; Chennai; On-site; INR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Caterpillar in Chennai seeks an experienced Mechanical Engineer to design and develop undercarriage components for Track Type Tractors and Dozers. You will create 3D CAD models, drawings, and documentation, translating requirements into robust designs.

Role requires strong analytical skills, collaboration with cross-functional teams, and ongoing cost-performance improvements. Onsite work is required; relocation is available; visa sponsorship is not provided.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in product design and development.
• Experience in heavy equipment, structures, wear components, or undercarriage systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop undercarriage components including Track Shoes, Track Links, Sprockets, Idlers, Track Rollers, and Carrier Rollers.
• Create and maintain 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, specifications, and product documentation.
• Translate customer, manufacturing, and application requirements into robust design solutions.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI), Current Product Improvement (CPI), and product quality initiatives.
• Evaluate and improve component durability, wear performance, manufacturability, and cost competitiveness.
• Collaborate with suppliers, manufacturing, quality, and validation teams to ensure successful product implementation.
• Participate in prototype development, testing, validation, and field issue resolution.
• Drive innovation through challenging existing assumptions and identifying opportunities for performance and cost improvements.

Skills

Product design and development

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Tools

Creo

Teamcenter

GD&T

Engineering drawing standards

FEA

Durability analysis

Performance simulation

Job description

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.

Designs, develops, validates, and implements undercarriage components and systems for Track Type Tractors / Dozers. Responsible for delivering durable, manufacturable, and cost-effective designs that meet customer, quality, and business requirements. Applies engineering expertise to improve product performance, wear life, reliability, and total ownership cost.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop undercarriage components including Track Shoes, Track Links, Sprockets, Idlers, Track Rollers, and Carrier Rollers.
• Create and maintain 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, specifications, and product documentation.
• Translate customer, manufacturing, and application requirements into robust design solutions.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI), Current Product Improvement (CPI), and product quality initiatives.
• Evaluate and improve component durability, wear performance, manufacturability, and cost competitiveness.
• Collaborate with suppliers, manufacturing, quality, and validation teams to ensure successful product implementation.
• Participate in prototype development, testing, validation, and field issue resolution.
• Drive innovation through challenging existing assumptions and identifying opportunities for performance and cost improvements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in product design and development.
• Experience in heavy equipment, structures, wear components, or undercarriage systems preferred.

Desired Technical Competencies

• Strong knowledge of castings, forgings, metallurgy, heat treatment, and manufacturing processes.
• Understanding of wear mechanisms, tribology, structural life, and fatigue behavior.
• Proficiency in Creo, Teamcenter, GD&T, and engineering drawing standards.
• Ability to interpret and utilize FEA, durability analysis, and performance simulation results to guide design decisions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on root cause analysis and continuous improvement.
• Understanding of product cost drivers and value engineering principles.
• Innovative mindset with the ability to challenge the status quo and develop customer-focused solutions.

Skill Descriptors

Analytical Thinking & AI Utilization

Ability to analyze complex engineering problems using data, simulations, field performance information, and structured problem-solving techniques. Applies analytical and AI-enabled tools to identify root causes, evaluate alternatives, quantify risks, and make informed design decisions that improve durability, reliability, and customer value.

Technical Excellence & Innovation

Applies engineering expertise in undercarriage systems, wear technologies, materials, and manufacturing processes to solve technical challenges. Continuously develops technical knowledge, drives innovation, challenges conventional solutions, and contributes to product performance, reliability, and cost improvements.

Computer-Aided Design & Engineering

Ability to utilize Creo, Teamcenter, FEA, durability analysis, and simulation tools to develop, analyze, validate, and optimize product designs. Applies digital engineering methods to improve design quality, reduce development risk, and accelerate product development.

Product Design & Development

Ability to design, develop, validate, and implement undercarriage products from concept through production. Supports NPI, CPI, quality improvement, and cost reduction initiatives while delivering solutions that improve performance, wear life, reliability, and customer value.

This position requires working onsite five days a week.Relocation is available for this position.Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates:

November 3, 2026 - November 10, 2026

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