Additive Manufacturing (AM) Technology Engineer (Senior Principal Engineer)

Caterpillar

San Diego (CA)

On-site

USD 128,000 - 193,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) savings plans

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Career Development

Incentive bonus

Job summary

Caterpillar is seeking an Additive Manufacturing (AM) Technology Engineer at Senior Principal level in San Diego, CA. The role focuses on advancing AM through design for AM, materials development, and technology maturation across development and production environments.

You will lead cross-functional teams, evaluate tradeoffs, and develop qualification plans for new AM components, while mentoring engineers and sharing best practices across the organization.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or engineering discipline.
Demonstrated experience applying DFAM principles to design, development, and qualification of new AM components.
Strong proficiency in 3D modeling and engineering analysis tools; experience with engineering drawings and BOM development.

Responsibilities

Partner with NPI leadership to identify high-impact AM applications.
Lead technical evaluation of tradeoffs for AM components.
Identify technical risks and develop mitigation strategies.
Develop technology maturation and qualification plans for new AM components or technologies.
Communicate and collaborate with cross-functional teams to execute AM projects.
Apply advanced mechanical design principles to support AM development decisions.
Provide AM-related technical guidance and mentorship across multiple experience levels.
Serve as a DFAM technical authority and share best practices.

Skills

DFAM principles

3D modeling

Engineering analysis tools

Cross-functional leadership

Technical mentorship

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Ansys

SpaceClaim

Creo

Windchill

Design for AM knowledge

Job description

Additive Manufacturing (AM) Technology Engineer (Senior Principal Engineer)

Apply: San Diego, California: Full time: Posted Today: R0000400476

Career Area:EngineeringJob 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.

AM Tech Group Focus Areas

AM Technology Maturation

Use the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) framework to advance AM technology development in areas including qualification of new AM components, AM distortion prediction, low-angle printing strategies, advanced surface finishing, print parameter optimization, and process monitoring and quality assurance techniques. Identify high-impact AM component applications and develop pathways to address associated technical gaps and risks.

Design for AM Knowledge Capture & Consulting

Document AM best practices in Solar KMS, design manuals, and EDM reports. Lead periodic in-house training for engineering staff and serve as an AM technology subject matter expert for component design teams. Support manufacturing, design, and field teams with root cause/corrective action activities. Monitor industry and university AM technology advancements and identify high-potential emerging AM technologies opportunities.

AM Materials Development

Support metallurgical characterization and mechanical properties testing of commercially available and emerging AM Alloys including nickel and stainless steels. Collaborate with external and internal partners (Universities, Labs, M&P, SME) to qualify new AM alloys. Work closely with cross-functional engineering teams to develop material properties design curves and support qualification of new AM components.

Key Responsibilities

Partner with NPI leadership, Product Owners, and development teams to identify high-impact AM applications that will accelerate NPI activities, enhance product capabilities, and provide greater supply chain flexibility.
Lead technical evaluation of tradeoffs and design alternatives related to safety, performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost, serviceability, and risk for AM components.
Identify technical risks and develop mitigation strategies to ensure successful execution of AM technology development programs.
Develop detailed technology maturation and qualification plans for new AM components or technologies for both development and production applications.
Communicate and collaborate with cross-functional teams to execute AM technology development projects.
Apply advanced mechanical design principles and analytical tools to support design decisions and resolve complex engineering challenges associated with the development of new AM components.
Provide AM-related technical guidance and mentorship to engineers, supply chain, and manufacturing across multiple experience levels.
Serve as a Design for AM (DFAM) technical authority and resource within the organization, helping establish engineering best practices and sharing lessons learned through training and mentoring.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or engineering discipline.
Demonstrated experience applying Design for Additive Manufacturing (DFAM) principles to the design, development, and qualification of new AM comp.
Strong proficiency in 3D modeling and engineering analysis tools and methods (Ansys, Space Claim, Creo); experience with engineering drawings, BOM development (Windchill, Linked Data), and configuration management, including the ability to interpret and apply analysis results to support design decisions.
Extensive experience with design, development, and qualification of turbomachinery components
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, product development, and design for manufacturability principles.
Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally across disciplines to solve complex engineering and organizational challenges.
Demonstrated ability to independently solve complex technical problems and provide technical leadership across functional boundaries.
Experience mentoring engineers and contributing to the development of organizational technical capabilities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Top Candidates will also have:

Extensive experience delivering technical presentations or speaking at industry conferences is preferred
Strong record of documenting project results (EDM’s, Research Reports) and creating standard work documentation such as Design Manual section contributions, Work Instructions, Guidance Notes, Process maps, and Knowledge Management System (KMS) entries.
Strong written and verbal Spanish communication skills are preferred

Summary Pay Range

$128,470.00 - $192,710.00

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.

Benefits