Controls & Automation Engineering Specialist
Caterpillar
Stand out for this role — generate a tailored resume and cover letter in about a minute.
Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Caterpillar is seeking a Controls & Automation Engineering Specialist to support heat treat operations, induction systems, and advanced manufacturing technologies. You will optimize product quality, process capability, and equipment reliability across multiple facilities.
The role blends metallurgical engineering with automation, requiring hands-on trouble-shooting, commissioning, and systems integration. Travel to sites in the US and Mexico will be needed, with a strong focus on data-driven
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Computer or Electrical Engineering required.
- Strong PLC, HMI/SCADA, and industrial automation experience is essential.
- Experience connecting equipment, PLCs, databases, and enterprise systems.
- Experience with data collection and Power BI for analytics.
- Willingness to travel and support multiple facilities.
Responsibilities
- Own troubleshooting, modification, and support of PLC-controlled manufacturing systems in production environments
- Maintain and optimize PLC ladder logic, HMI/SCADA systems (including Wonderware), and controls architecture
- Integrate new equipment, sensors, and systems into existing PLC frameworks
- Diagnose system faults and implement corrective actions to restore uptime
- Lead integration of automation systems including robotics, MECCO printers, vision systems, and material handling
- Configure communication between PLCs, HMIs, databases, and enterprise systems
- Support recipe management, data collection systems, and plant-level automation architecture
- Perform on-floor diagnostics and rapid response to minimize downtime across facilities
- Design, install, and integrate power and gas metering systems; develop Power BI dashboards for energy monitoring
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Career Area:
Engineering
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.
Hear about the Caterpillar Experience for yourself
Caterpillar's Advanced Materials Technology Department is currently seeking a Controls & Automation Engineering Specialist to support heat treat operations, induction processing systems, and advanced manufacturing technologies across multiple facilities. This role blends metallurgical engineering expertise with automation, process control, and manufacturing systems integration to optimize product quality, process capability, equipment reliability, and operational effectiveness.
- Own troubleshooting, modification, and support of PLC-controlled manufacturing systems in production environments
- Maintain and optimize PLC ladder logic, HMI/SCADA systems (including Wonderware), and controls architecture
- Integrate new equipment, sensors, and systems into existing PLC frameworks
- Diagnose system faults and implement corrective actions to restore uptime
- Provide controls and electrical support for heat treat furnaces, induction systems, and related equipment
- Support commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting of furnace cells and automation systems
- Execute control revisions and upgrades for new and existing heat treat technologies
- Lead integration of automation systems including robotics, MECCO printers, vision systems, and material handling
- Configure communication between PLCs, HMIs, databases, and enterprise systems
- Support recipe management, data collection systems, and plant-level automation architecture
- Perform advanced troubleshooting of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems in live production environments
- Provide rapid response support to minimize downtime across multiple facilities
- Deliver both on-site and remote technical support across geographically distributed operations
- Design, install, and integrate power and gas metering systems into manufacturing equipment
- Develop and maintain Power BI dashboards for energy monitoring and reporting
- Enable data-driven decision making through system integration and reporting tools
- Support implementation of capital projects including furnace installations, automation upgrades, and new production cells
- Perform equipment commissioning, system validation, and startup support
- Bridge manpower gaps on high-impact projects to ensure successful delivery
- Train maintenance teams on troubleshooting PLC and automation systems to increase plant self-sufficiency
- Provide technical mentorship and knowledge transfer to operations and engineering teams
- Support multiple facilities across the U.S. and Mexico through travel and remote engagement
Bachelor's degree in Computer or Electrical Engineering required.
- Controls Engineering: Strong PLC, HMI/SCADA, and industrial automation experience
- Troubleshooting: Ability to diagnose and resolve complex production system issues under pressure
- Systems Integration: Experience connecting equipment, PLCs, databases, and enterprise systems
- Manufacturing Engineering: Knowledge of industrial equipment, particularly heat treat and automated systems
- Data & Analytics: Experience with data collection and visualization tools (e.g., Power BI)
- Project Execution: Ability to support commissioning, upgrades, and capital projects
- Communication: Ability to work across sites, teams, and functions effectively
- Self-Directed Execution: Comfortable operating as a primary or sole controls resource across multiple locations
- This position posting will close on 9/18/2026 at 11:59 p.m.
- This position will be located onsite 5 days a week in East Peoria, IL (Building AD).
- Domestic relocation is Available
- VISA Sponsorship is Available
- Travel requirements will be less than 10%.
#LI #MilitaryMonday #Letsdothework #caterpillarinc #Iamcaterpillar
$128,470.00 - $192,710.00
'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M101.744%2012.4726L102.894%2016.1947L99.0021%2013.2201L101.744%2012.4726ZM105.3%208.40937H100.488L99.0026%203.59473L97.5116%208.41047L92.7%208.40385L96.5965%2011.3834L95.1055%2016.1942L99.0021%2013.2196L101.408%2011.3834L105.3%208.40992V8.40937Z'%20fill='white'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint0_linear_5593_1381'%20x1='90'%20y1='9.44471'%20x2='99'%20y2='9.44471'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%2300AD70'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.998594'%20stop-color='%2300B67A'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20stop-color='%23DCDCE6'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
