Automation & Controls Engineer — Smart Factory Lead (Onsite)

Caterpillar; Mapleton (IL); On-site; USD 113,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

PTO and holidays

401(k) plan

Health Savings Account (HSA)

FSAs

Job summary

Caterpillar is seeking an Automation and Controls Engineer to design, implement, and optimize advanced manufacturing technologies at the Mapleton, IL facility. You will drive automation, controls engineering, digital manufacturing, and Industry 4.0 initiatives across operations to improve safety, quality, and cost performance.

Work with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable solutions, lead capital projects from concept through handoff, and ensure compliance with safety and engineering

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Automation Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and support automation systems including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, robotics, machine vision, industrial networks, and motion control.
• Lead automation, controls, and equipment modernization projects delivering safety, quality, throughput, reliability, and efficiency improvements.
• Troubleshoot complex controls, software, network, and equipment issues to minimize downtime and optimize performance.
• Drive Industry 4.0 and digital manufacturing through IIoT, data integration, and analytics.
• Coordinate with Operations, Engineering, and IT to integrate systems with MES, ERP, cloud, and enterprise platforms.
• Lead projects from concept to installation, commissioning, validation, and handoff within schedule and budget.
• Ensure compliance with safety, electrical, cybersecurity, and engineering standards; provide technical guidance.
• Lead root cause investigations and implement corrective actions to improve reliability and stability.
• Develop and maintain controls standards, electrical schematics, specs, and technical docs for consistency across operations.
• Collaborate with suppliers and integrators while maintaining safety and engineering standards.

Skills

Critical thinking

Problem solving

Project management

Technical troubleshooting

Industry 4.0

MES/IIoT

Education

Bachelor's degree in Automation/Mechatronics/Manufacturing/Electrical Engineering

Job description

Caterpillar is seeking an Automation and Controls Engineer to design, implement, and optimize advanced manufacturing technologies at the Mapleton, IL facility. You will drive automation, controls engineering, digital manufacturing, and Industry 4.0 initiatives across operations to improve safety, quality, and cost performance.

Work with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable solutions, lead capital projects from concept through handoff, and ensure compliance with safety and engineering