Design Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off

401(k) savings plans

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Career development

Incentive bonus

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Lafayette, IN seeks a Design Engineer to shape next-generation medium-speed engine platforms and related systems.

You will collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and suppliers to design, validate, and deliver robust solutions that meet customer needs while improving performance and manufacturability. The role requires a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering, strong analytical and communication skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Qualifications

• Analytical thinking and root-cause analysis to resolve complex problems.
• Clear, effective communication across functions and teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects concurrently.
• Strong technical expertise in mechanical engineering disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop engine systems, components, and related products from concept through production release.
• Translate requirements into technical specifications and drawings supporting development.
• Collaborate with suppliers and external partners to refine component designs.
• Support analyses, simulations, testing, and validation to meet design requirements.
• Analyze data to identify design improvements and performance gains.
• Partner with manufacturing, quality, supply chain, controls, and application teams through the lifecycle.
• Participate in design reviews and recommend product and component improvements.
• Support product release activities and engineering changes.
• Apply structured problem-solving to address technical challenges and continuous improvement.
• Evaluate risks and tradeoffs balancing quality, performance, cost, and timing.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and digital engineering tools.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Effective communications

Managing multiple priorities

Technical excellence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

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

About Large Power Systems Division (LPSD)

We design and manufacture the most comprehensive lineup of large diesel and natural gas engines in the industry, as well as engine components and powertrains.

Job Summary

As a Design Engineer, you will help shape the next generation of Caterpillar's medium-speed engine platforms and related systems by developing innovative engineering solutions for the GCM34 gas engine including Balance of Plant (BOP) in close collaboration with overall medium speed engine family M20-M46. In this role, you will collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supplier teams to design, validate, and deliver products that meet customer needs while advancing performance, reliability, and manufacturability. Based on the hiring manager's description, Design Engineers are responsible for creating new products and components and taking designs from concept through validation and release.

What You Will Do

• Design and develop engine systems, components, and related products from concept through production release.
• Translate customer, performance, reliability, cost, and manufacturing requirements into technical solutions.
• Create engineering specifications, drawings, models, and technical documentation supporting product development efforts.
• Collaborate with suppliers and external engineering partners to develop and refine component designs.
• Support engineering analyses, simulations, testing, and validation activities to ensure products meet design requirements.
• Analyze test and operational data to identify opportunities for design improvements and enhanced product performance.
• Partner with manufacturing, quality, supply chain, controls, and application engineering teams throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Participate in design reviews and contribute technical recommendations for product and component improvements.
• Support product release activities, engineering changes, and documentation updates.
• Apply structured problem-solving methods to address technical challenges and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Evaluate technical risks and tradeoffs while balancing quality, performance, timing, and cost objectives.
• Stay current on emerging technologies, engineering tools, and industry trends to support future product innovation.

Degree Requirement

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.

What You Will Have

• Analytical Thinking: Extensive experience and knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.
• Effective Communications: Extensive experience and understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
• Managing Multiple Priorities: Extensive experience and knowledge of effective self‑management practices; ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments as to prioritizing and time allocation.
• Technical Excellence: Extensive experience and knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.

Additional Requirements

• Experience designing and developing mechanical systems, components, or products.
• Experience supporting product development activities from concept through validation and release.
• Experience analyzing technical data and applying engineering principles to solve technical challenges.
• Experience collaborating with cross‑functional teams to deliver engineering solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to balance technical, quality, cost, and timing considerations when making engineering decisions.

What Will Put You Ahead

• Demonstrated expertise in the design, development, and validation of medium‑speed engines.
• Experience developing products for combustion engines, power generation systems, heavy equipment, or other complex industrial applications.
• Experience performing engineering analysis, simulation, testing, or validation activities.
• Understanding of mechanical, electrical, and electronic system integration.
• Experience working with suppliers or external engineering partners during product development.
• Experience supporting manufacturing, product launch, or engineering change activities.
• Knowledge of product lifecycle management processes and tools.
• Exposure to engineering metrics, KPIs, dashboards, or data‑driven decision making.
• Experience utilizing emerging technologies, digital engineering tools, or AI‑enabled engineering solutions.

Additional Information

• This position requires the candidate to work a 5-day‑a‑week schedule in the office.
• International travel up to 5% is possible.
• Relocation is available for this position.
• Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this position.

This Job Description is intended as a general guide to the job duties for this position and is intended for the purpose of establishing the specific salary grade. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive summary of all responsibilities, duties and effort required of employees assigned to this job.

At the discretion of management, this description may be changed at any time to address the evolving needs of the organization. It is expressly not intended to be a comprehensive list of “essential job functions” as that term is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

About Caterpillar

Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off‑highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel‑electric locomotives. For 100 years, we have been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced‑carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.

Summary Pay Range

$97,530.00 - $146,290.00

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.

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.