Data & Controls Engineer

Caterpillar Inc.; Peoria (IL); On-site; USD 89,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) plans with company match

Relocation assistance

Career development

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Hydraulic Systems & Controls Engineer to design, develop, validate, and continuously improve hydraulic systems for Earthmoving products. You will work with cross-functional teams to translate machine requirements into robust, data-informed solutions, including analytics on end-of-line data and connected assets.

The role emphasizes collaboration, regulatory compliance, and delivering high-performance, cost-effective systems with durability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
• Experience in hydraulics, controls and system simulation.
• Experience in embedded control systems for mobile equipment or automotive applications.
• Experience in Data Science, Data Engineering, Analytics Engineering, and Machine Learning disciplines.
• Experience in system performance simulation and modeling.

Responsibilities

• Validate hydraulic system performance through simulation, testing, and field validation activities.
• Lead data gathering, data mining, data cleansing, and processing activities for end of line testing as well as connected assets.
• Ensure designs meet Caterpillar standards, regulatory requirements, and application needs; diagnose and resolve hydraulic system issues using on-machine testing.
• Direct and participate in the concept, design and development of hydraulic systems and components to meet cost and delivery targets.
• Collaborate with engineers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to deliver robust hydraulic solutions.
• Use technical expertise to extract data from products and transform it into insights for integrated customer solutions.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Effective communication

Technical excellence

Product design

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Job description

Job Description

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.

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.

Caterpillar’s Earthmoving division is hiring for hydraulic system and controls engineer.

Role Summary:

As a Hydraulic Systems & Controls Engineer, you will support the design, development, validation, and continuous improvement of hydraulic systems and electro-hydraulic controls for Caterpillar Earthmoving products.

This role blends components, systems, controls and data analytics to deliver high-performance, reliable, and cost-effective system solutions. You will work with global cross-functional teams to translate machine-level requirements into robust, data-informed engineering solutions.

You will also perform analytical tasks such as leading initiatives to generate insights from vehicle end-of-line data or connected assets that can help diagnose and improve hydraulic system performance and reliability.

What You’ll Do (Job Duties)

• Validate hydraulic system performance through simulation, testing, and field validation activities. Tune Hydraulic system controls on machine to meet hydraulic machine performance requirements.
• Lead data gathering, data mining, data cleansing, and processing activities for end of line testing as well as connected assets. Use data analytics, simulation and testing to diagnose hydraulic performance and reliability issues.
• Ensure designs meet Caterpillar standards, regulatory requirements, and application Needs. Diagnose and resolve any hydraulic system issues using on-machine testing.
• Direct and participate in the concept, design and development of hydraulic systems and components (including valves, cylinders, pumps, motors, and fluid routing systems), ensuring products provide superior performance, durability, quality, and serviceability while meeting cost and delivery targets.
• Collaborate with other engineers on development activities with internal and external suppliers of mechanical and electro-hydraulic components through New Product Development (NPI) or Continuous Product Improvement (CPI) programs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams across manufacturing, purchasing, supply chain, validation, and simulation to deliver robust solutions.
• Use your technical expertise, product knowledge and cutting‑edge technologies to extract data from our products and systems and transform it into valuable insights to create integrated solutions that help customers solve their greatest challenges.

What You Have (Core Skills)

• Analytical Thinking: Approaches complex hydraulic system challenges by breaking them into manageable components and identifying root causes. Uses data, testing results, and prior experience to evaluate performance, risks, and trade‑offs between cost, quality, and reliability. Identifies multiple solution paths and selects the most effective approach based on structured analysis and sound engineering judgment.
• Effective Communications: Communicates technical concepts clearly and effectively to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders. Collaborates across cross‑functional and global teams to drive alignment and achieve project goals. Prepares technical documentation and presentations, using strong communication skills to influence decisions, support recommendations, and resolve issues with internal partners and suppliers.
• Technical Excellence: Knowledge of hydraulic systems and components as well as hands‑on experience in testing. Knowledge of advanced technologies like AI, data analytics, and simulations. Ability to perform data analytics on connected asset data.
• Product Design - MFG: Designs hydraulic components and systems with a focus on manufacturability, cost, and quality. Applies DFM/DFA and APQP principles to align designs with production capabilities and business objectives. Works closely with manufacturing, procurement, and suppliers to optimize designs, evaluate feedback, and drive improvements based on production and field performance.

Top Candidates Will Also Have

• Requires a bachelor’s degree (or international equivalent) or higher in mechanical Engineering discipline, along with engineering experience in hydraulics, controls and system simulation.
• Knowledge of hydraulic system and components (including valves, cylinders, pumps, motors, and fluid routing systems) and their performance.
• Experience in embedded control systems for mobile equipment or automotive applications.
• Experience in Data Science, Data Engineering, Analytics Engineering, and Machine Learning disciplines.
• Experience in system performance simulation and modeling.

Additional Details

• Work location: Building AH, alternatives: PPG and building AB
• Domestic relocation assistance IS available for this role
• Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this role.
• Travel: Upto 10% domestic and international
• This position requires 5 days per week in the office (M-F)

Summary Pay Range

$89,210.00 - $133,810.00

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

Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits*
• Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*
• 401(k) savings plans*
• Health Savings Account (HSA)*
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*
• Health Lifestyle Programs*
• Employee Assistance Program*
• Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*
• Career Development*
• Incentive bonus*
• Disability benefits
• Life Insurance
• Parental leave
• Adoption benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement
• These benefits also apply to part‑time employees

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Relocation is available for this position.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates

August 11, 2026 - August 13, 2026

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.