2027 Entry Level Fleet Engineer

Solar Turbines; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 72,360 - 108,540; Full time

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. offers a Fleet Engineer rotation program designed as a 3-year progression with comprehensive training across Solar products and Customer Service. After 14 months of training, participants commit to 2 more years at a U.S.

district office as Fleet Engineers, with a company vehicle provided for travel. The program includes classroom and online formats, hands-on field experience, and mentored controls system training at Solar locations such as San Diego, CA and Mabank, TX, with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering is required.
• Willingness to travel, relocate, and work overtime.
• Strong communication and ability to work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical and administrative support to Fleet Managers for machinery management agreements.
• Facilitate equipment failure investigations and root cause analysis; compile reports.
• Support alert management, action tracking, and monthly customer reports; participate in onsite condition assessments.

Skills

Travel willingness

Communication skills

Stress management

Overtime willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Job description

Overview

Your work shapes the world at Caterpillar Inc. We are a global team that cares about the work we do and about each other. We are makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities with customers where we work and live.

Program Description

The Fleet Engineer rotation program is a 3-year program. The first year provides training with broad exposure to Solar’s products and the Customer Service organization. After 14 months of training, the candidate must commit to spending 2 additional years at one of our U.S. district offices as a Fleet Engineer. A company vehicle is provided to travel during this period. Training combines classroom and online formats, substantial hands-on training, on-the-job field experience, and mentored controls system training at Solar locations, including:

• San Diego, CA: Administrative modules, Safety Training, Gas Turbine Package Familiarization, Control Systems training, Customer Services Experience
• Mabank, TX: Principles & Applications of Control Systems, Borescope of Turbine Engines, Power Generation and Gas Compression, Rigging & lifting of large components, Alignment, Routine Maintenance and Troubleshooting

During the first 8 months in San Diego and Texas, the following is provided:

• Online web-based training and classroom training
• Commissioning and maintenance field assignments at customer sites
• Controls engineering assignment
• Exposure to the Customer Service Response Center and QHSE training
• Time in engine teardown, build and test, and field assignments at customer sites

In the next 6 months, the candidate will be trained on all aspects of machinery, supported by a Solar Fleet Manager in a U.S. District Office, and will ensure customer expectations are met or exceeded. This is a hands-on role requiring heavy travel, overtime, relocation, and significant customer interaction. The engineer provides technical and administrative support to Fleet Managers for machinery management agreements between Solar and customers. The engineer facilitates equipment failure investigations and root cause analysis, compiles and submits engineering reports, and supports alert management, preventative action reports, value tracking, and monthly reports to customers.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical and administrative support to Fleet Managers for machinery management agreements.
• Facilitate equipment failure investigations and root cause analysis with appropriate groups.
• Compile and submit engineering reports and analyses to fleet managers for review.
• Support fleet manager with alert management, preventative action reports, value tracking, and monthly customer reports.
• Participate in and support onsite condition assessments.
• Support fleet manager with service bulletin compliance and corrective action implementation; follow up on issues in the issue tracker.
• Ensure compliance with Solar and customer Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) management systems; provide HSSE overviews to Field Service Representatives and visiting personnel.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering
• Willingness to travel, relocate, and work overtime
• High integrity and a high level of self-confidence
• Ability to handle stress and communicate professionally
• 0-2 years related experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to work in extreme or adverse environments; high integrity and self-confidence
• Ability to handle stress and work in a high-pressure environment
• Professional communication skills
• Previous internship or related work experience with customer-facing activities

Compensation and Benefits

Summary Pay Range: $72,360.00 - $108,540.00

Compensation and benefits vary by factors such as job level, location, knowledge, skills, performance, and experience. Salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision; paid time off; 401(k); Health Savings Account; Flexible Spending Accounts; health lifestyle programs; Employee Assistance Program; voluntary benefits and discounts; career development; incentive bonus; disability benefits; life insurance; parental leave; adoption benefits; tuition reimbursement. This position requires working onsite five days a week. Relocation is available. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Additional Information

Posting Dates: July 16, 2026 – July 21, 2026. Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.