Design Engineer

Caterpillar Inc.; Clayton (NC); On-site; USD 98,000 - 146,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Paid time off

401(k) plans

Relocation assistance

Career development

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Design Engineer in Clayton, NC to lead hydraulic system design and development for Mini Hydraulic Excavators.

You will own components, collaborate with global teams, and drive optimization from concept through validation. The role emphasizes evaluating performance, controlling costs, and delivering reliable machine improvements with a focus on controllability, productivity, and operator experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (or equivalent) is required.
• Experience designing or validating hydraulic or related systems for construction/off-highway equipment.
• Experience planning and executing laboratory, bench, or machine-level testing with data analysis and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop hydraulic systems and components for mini-excavator applications, translating requirements into detailed designs.
• Create hydraulic schematics and analyses to optimize performance, productivity, efficiency, and cost.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute prototype builds, lab tests, and machine validation activities with data-driven design improvements.
• Develop test plans and procedures to verify performance, durability, and quality.
• Investigate and resolve hydraulic system issues during development, manufacturing, and field operation using structured problem-solving methods.
• Collaborate with suppliers and cross-functional teams on component development and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Research emerging technologies and competitive products to improve machine performance.

Skills

Analytical Thinking

Effective Communications

Managing Multiple Priorities

Technical Excellence

Computer-Aided Design & Engineering

Product Design and Development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

CAD

Engineering tools

Job description

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.

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.
Catapult\’s BCP division is hiring a Design Engineer in Clayton, NC!
Role Summary: Caterpillar Building Construction Products Division, located in Clayton, North Carolina, is the design headquarters for MHE (Mini-Hydraulic Excavator) machines. The MHE Hydraulics System Team is seeking a motivated person to fill the role of a Design Engineer. The mission of the Team is to deliver industry-leading hydraulic systems for Mini Hydraulic Excavators through design, development, validation, optimization, and product support activities.
As a Design Engineer in the MHE Hydraulic System Team, you will take ownership of increasingly complex engineering challenges, contribute to key hydraulic system development activities, and continue building your technical expertise in mobile hydraulics and machine performance. You will partner with and provide technical guidance to global teams. You will continually learn and stay abreast of innovative technology. You will help shape machine performance attributes such as controllability, productivity, efficiency, and operator experience.

What You’ll Do (Job Duties)

• Design and develop hydraulic systems and component solutions for mini-excavator applications, translating functional requirements into detailed engineering designs and documentation.
• Create hydraulic schematics, perform engineering analyses, and support system performance optimization related to productivity, efficiency, reliability, and cost.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute prototype builds, laboratory testing, and machine validation activities; analyze results and recommend design improvements.
• Develop test plans and validation procedures to verify hydraulic system performance, durability, quality, and compliance with product requirements.
• Investigate and resolve hydraulic system issues encountered during product development, manufacturing, and field operation using structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Collaborate with suppliers and cross-functional teams to support component development, design reviews, supplier performance improvement, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Research emerging technologies, competitive products, and innovative engineering solutions to improve machine performance and enhance future product offerings.
• Promote a culture of quality and continuous improvement while effectively managing priorities and completing engineering assignments on schedule.

What You Have (Core Skills)

• Analytical Thinking: Ability to diagnose hydraulic system performance issues, evaluate test data, identify root causes, and develop effective engineering solutions.
• Effective Communications: Ability to clearly communicate technical concepts, design decisions, and test results while collaborating with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and manufacturing partners.
• Managing Multiple Priorities: Ability to balance design, testing, validation, and issue-resolution activities across multiple projects while meeting commitments and deadlines.
• Technical Excellence: Ability to apply hydraulic engineering knowledge to develop reliable, cost-effective solutions that meet machine performance and quality objectives.
• Computer-Aided Design & Engineering: Ability to use CAD and engineering tools to create, analyze, and maintain hydraulic system designs, schematics, and product documentation.
• Product Design and Development: Ability to support the development of hydraulic systems from concept and design through validation, production, and continuous product improvement.

Top Candidates Will Also Have

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in an accredited Engineering curriculum.
• Experience designing, analyzing, or validating hydraulic or other complex systems for construction, agricultural, mining, or other off-highway equipment applications.
• Experience planning and executing laboratory, bench, or machine-level testing, including data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Experience collaborating with suppliers and cross-functional teams on component development, issue resolution, or quality improvement initiatives.

Additional Details

• Work location: Clayton Machine Design Center (CMDC)
• 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

$97,530.00 - $146,290.00

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 7, 2026 - August 21, 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.