Associate Design Engineer - Large Mining Trucks

Caterpillar; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Tucson, AZ is seeking an Associate Design Engineer for the Large Mining Trucks program.

You will support engine installation and cooling system design, work with powertrain, hydraulics, electronics, and structures teams to deliver reliable, high-performance mining equipment onsite five days a week. The role emphasizes developing requirements, coordinating prototype builds, validating performance, and applying innovative solutions to improve durability, uptime, and field

Qualifications

• Requires a degree in an accredited Engineering, Computer Science, Materials Science, or related technical discipline.
• Hands-on engineering experience and troubleshooting ability.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams.
• Strong customer-focused engineering mindset.

Responsibilities

• Support design and development of Large Mining Truck engine installation and cooling systems.
• Create functional requirements and translate needs into designs and specs.
• Research emerging technologies and identify opportunities for improvements.
• Coordinate prototype builds, testing, and validation activities.
• Collaborate with Powertrain, Hydraulics, Electronics, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Product Support.
• Assist supplier development and component quality initiatives.

Skills

CAD tools

Engineering analysis

Effective communication

Design for Manufacturability

Cross-functional teamwork

Troubleshooting

Education

Engineering degree

Computer Science

Materials Science

Tools

CAD software

Engineering analysis tools

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.

The Associate Design Engineer - Large Mining Trucks provides an opportunity to support the design, development, integration, and validation of engine installation and cooling systems supporting Caterpillar's Large Mining Truck (LMT) product line. In this role, you will support the development of complex engineering projects that influence truck performance, reliability, durability, serviceability, and customer value. Working across powertrain, hydraulics, electronics, structures, and machine integration teams, you will develop innovative solutions that help deliver industry-leading mining equipment capable of operating in the world's most demanding environments.

Why This Role Is Impactful:

Shape the Future of Large Mining Trucks

Be part of a team that designs critical machine systems that improve productivity, reliability, fuel efficiency, and overall hauling performance for Caterpillar's global mining customers.

Drive End-to-End Product Development

Support products from concept through production by defining requirements, developing designs, coordinating prototype builds, validating performance, and resolving technical challenges.

Influence Cross-Functional Engineering Excellence

Partner with suppliers, manufacturing, testing, purchasing, and product support teams to ensure integrated solutions that meet customer and business objectives.

Deliver Customer-Focused Innovation

Apply engineering expertise and problem-solving skills to develop solutions that enhance machine durability, uptime, maintainability, and operational efficiency in the field.

What You Will Do:

• Support the design and development of Large Mining Truck Engine Installation and Cooling systems by creating innovative solutions that improve machine performance, reliability, durability, and serviceability.
• Develop and document functional requirements and translate customer, business, and regulatory needs into robust engineering designs and technical specifications.
• Research emerging technologies and competitive products to identify opportunities for product improvements, innovation, and cost optimization across the Large Mining Truck portfolio.
• Coordinate prototype builds, testing, and validation activities to verify designs meet performance, quality, safety, and durability requirements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Powertrain, Hydraulics, Electronics, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Product Support to deliver integrated machine solutions.
• Support supplier development and component quality initiatives by partnering with suppliers and internal stakeholders to drive product improvements and successful program execution.

What Skills You Will Have:

• Standard Operating Procedures : Learning the established standard operating procedures (SOP); ability to design, implement and evaluate standard operating procedures affecting daily and strategic business operations in order to increase operational efficiency.
• Design for Manufacturability: Knowledge of product design principles, development processes, and engineering methodologies. Ability to develop, validate, and implement innovative solutions that meet customer requirements while balancing performance, quality, cost, and manufacturability objectives.
• Engineering - Manufacturing: Knowledge of engineering design tools, modeling techniques, and analysis methods. Ability to create, review, and evaluate designs using CAD and engineering software to support product development, validation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Effective Communications Apply strong communication skills to effectively convey technical concepts, engineering recommendations, and project updates to engineers, suppliers, manufacturing teams, and business partners while ensuring alignment across cross-functional stakeholders.

Degree Requirement

Requires a degree in an accredited Engineering, Computer Science, Materials Science, or related technical discipline curriculum.

Top Candidates Will Also Have:

• Knowledge of CAD and engineering analysis tools.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience and troubleshooting ability.
• Teamwork collaborating with cross-functional teams.
• Passion for customer-focused engineering solutions.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Information:

• Primary work location: The location for this position is Tucson, AZ and requires the candidate to work onsite five days a week.
• Relocation: Relocation assistance is not availabl