Design Engineer

Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation; Pontiac (IL); On-site; USD 98,000 - 146,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) savings plans

Relocation assistance

Tuition Reimbursement

Career Development

Incentive bonus

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Pontiac, IL is seeking a design engineer to join the Large Power Systems Division. You will contribute to high-pressure fuel system development, perform design calculations, and lead aspects of design validity through testing and collaboration with suppliers and manufacturing teams.

The role emphasizes hands-on testing, problem solving, and mentoring through design processes, with focus on accuracy, reliability, and serviceability in global markets.

Job description

Career Area:

Engineering

Job Description:

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you are 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.

Role Definition:

This position is within Caterpillar’s Large Power Systems Division and is part of the team that develops advanced high-pressure fuel systems for Caterpillar diesel engines. You will join a diverse team developing fuel injector design and performance for new engine applications. This role requires a hands-on presence and offers experience in detailed design, structural and hydraulic analysis, production testing, and mechatronics control strategy development. This role also works closely with external suppliers, as well as Caterpillar manufacturing, assembly, and test team members.

What You Will Do:

• Assignments are project oriented and incorporate knowledge of current technology as well as an understanding of the entire design and product validation process.


• Takes responsibility for the design concept and design layout using the computer graphics system. Performs design calculations and participates in design decisions. Along with the supporting technical team, provides technical leadership to Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, Marketing, Sales, Service and other areas.


• Conducts hands-on testing using test benches to measure performance, verify design functionality, identify failures, calibrate components, and validate product durability.


• Works with considerable latitude in coordinating and providing design expertise. Refines and improves product designs by conducting investigations and developing solutions. Receives exposure to complex design processes. Consults with engineers to determine work objectives and the means to achieve them.


• Requires familiarity with the stages of production approval and release, and the review and dispositioning of design deviations and change requests. Provides technical leadership for Designers, Layout Drafters, Drafting Technicians and off-site drafting support. Maintains close communication with Assemblers and Test Engineers during product build and test.


• Enhances the integrity of the product in the worldwide marketplace by ensuring superior performance, durability, reliability, quality, and serviceability.


• Adheres to established standards, policies, and practices relating to quality, cost reduction, safety, ergonomics, etc.

Degree Requirement:

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or a related field.

What Skills You Have:

Analytical Thinking: 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.

• Seeks discrepancies and inconsistencies in available information; explains variances.


• Organizes and prioritizes the sequence of steps to be taken to remedy the situation.


• Identifies many possible causes for a problem based on prior experience and current research.


• Quantifies the costs, benefits, risks and chances for success before recommending a course of action.


• Approaches a complex problem by breaking it down into its component parts.


• Chooses among a diverse set of analytical tools according to the nature of the situation.

Effective Communications: 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.

• Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending the recipient.


• Listens to feedback without defensiveness and uses it for own communication effectiveness.


• Makes oral presentations and writes reports needed for own work.


• Avoids technical jargon when inappropriate.


• Looks for and considers non-verbal cues from individuals and groups.

Managing Multiple Priorities: 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.

• Recognizes changing demands and priorities; validates changes with management.


• Obtains information about how current assignments contribute to organizational goals.


• Completes current work according to assigned priorities.


• Responds to day-to-day operational priorities while still making progress on project work.


• Performs at least 2-3 concurrent activities without reducing productivity.

Technical Excellence: Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.

• Provides effective technical solutions to routine functional challenges via sound technical competence, effectively examining implications of events and issues.


• Effectively performs the technical job aspects, continuously building knowledge and keeping up-to-date on technical and procedural job components.


• Applies technical operating and project standards based on achieving excellence in delivered products, technologies and services.


• Applies current procedures and technologies to help resolve technical issues in one's general area of technical competence.


• Helps others solve technical or procedural problems or issues.

Computer-Aided Design & Engineering

Knowledge of tools and techniques of specialized graphics programs; ability to produce, analyze, simulate and test product design drafts.

• Coaches others on orthographic, isometric and axonometric projections.


• Presents complex products and systems graphically.


• Performs manipulations on design objects, such as changing projections and managing drawing layers.


• Directs the matrix computations performed to transform objects in coordinate space.


• Consults on benefits and drawbacks of top-down design vs bottom-up design.


• Compares and contrasts uses of bird's-eye views and worm's-eye views.

Product Design - MFG

Knowledge of processes, approaches, tools and techniques of product design; ability to convert customer and market requirements into product design.

• Develops improvement plans for senior management and evaluates the outcome of the design against the functionality.


• Advises others on the development of multiple products and their functionality.


• Trains others on advanced tools and approaches of product design.


• Monitors the processes and procedures of a complex product design to ensure functional requirements are met.


• Evaluates feedback from customers and consults on functional weaknesses.


• Controls design and development costs of a proposed product through effective resource coordination.

Product Design and Development

Knowledge of product features; ability to design, build, and develop a new product, technology, or service from concept through to production.

• Builds three-dimensional models with basic materials.


• Communicates with professionals to understand various requirements of product design.


• Tests and evaluates alternative means of production being considered for use.


• Uses automated tools to design or modify the design of a product.


• Assists in building a complex prototype of product.

Top Candidates May Have:

• Demonstrated ability to work independently with a strong drive for results.


• Excellent communication and collaboration skills in team-oriented environments.


• Proficiency in Creo modeling, intermediate-level Excel, and Minitab or other data analysis experience and design tasks.

Additional Information:

• This position requires the selected candidate to work on-site five days a week in the Pontiac, IL facility.


• Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position.


• Visa sponsorship is NOT provided.

#LI

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:

October 6, 2026 - October 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.