Design Engineer - Drivetrain & Powertrain Systems

Caterpillar; East Peoria (IL); On-site; USD 98,000 - 146,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) savings plans

Tuition Reimbursement

Paid time off plan

Incentive bonus

Job summary

Caterpillar in East Peoria, IL is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the design and development of transmissions, axles, driveline systems, and powertrain components from concept through production.

You'll collaborate with global teams, apply DFMEA/PFMEA, and translate engineering analyses into robust, manufacturable solutions for heavy equipment under demanding conditions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of experience designing and developing mechanical systems
• Experience working on systems operating under significant mechanical loads
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Powertrain, drivetrain, transmission, gearbox, axle, or propulsion systems
• Gears, bearings, shafts, rotating equipment, and mechanical power transmission
• Automotive, aerospace, defense, industrial equipment, off-highway, agricultural, or robotics applications
• Product development and engineering processes from concept through production
• Root cause analysis and corrective action implementation
• Collaboration with manufacturing, suppliers, and global engineering teams
• CAD-based design and engineering analysis tools

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, validate, and release transmissions, axles, driveline systems, and mechanical powertrain components
• Lead engineering decisions throughout the entire product development lifecycle, from concept through production
• Partner with controls, software, systems, manufacturing, and supplier teams to deliver integrated solutions
• Develop and execute product validation plans and analyze performance test data
• Participate in DFMEA, PFMEA, root cause analysis, and structured problem-solving activities
• Support manufacturing implementation and resolve design, quality, and production challenges
• Apply engineering analysis methods to evaluate component durability, performance, reliability, and manufacturability
• Communicate technical recommendations and project progress to global stakeholders

Skills

Mechanical Design Engineering

Product Development

Powertrain Systems

Drivetrain Engineering

Design Validation

System Integration

Engineering Analysis

DFMEA/PFMEA

Root Cause Analysis

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Technical Leadership

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

Tools

CAD tools

Job description

Career Area: Engineering

Job Description

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

Design the Future of Heavy Equipment Powertrain Technology

Are you an experienced Mechanical Engineer, Powertrain Engineer, Drivetrain Engineer, Product Development Engineer, or Systems Engineer looking to work on large-scale machines that impact industries around the world?

The Drivetrain Platform Team within Caterpillar's Integrated Drivetrain Energy Solutions Division (IDES) is seeking a highly motivated Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the design and development of advanced transmissions, axles, driveline systems, and powertrain components from concept through production.

This opportunity is ideal for engineers with experience in automotive, aerospace, industrial equipment, robotics, automation, off-highway vehicles, agricultural equipment, defense systems, or other complex mechanical systems operating under demanding conditions. In this role, you'll take ownership of critical drivetrain systems, collaborate with global engineering teams, and help shape the next generation of high-performance machinery.

What You Will Do

• Design, develop, validate, and release transmissions, axles, driveline systems, and mechanical powertrain components
• Lead engineering decisions throughout the entire product development lifecycle, from concept through production
• Partner with controls, software, systems, manufacturing, and supplier teams to deliver integrated solutions
• Develop and execute product validation plans and analyze performance test data
• Participate in DFMEA, PFMEA, root cause analysis, and structured problem-solving activities
• Support manufacturing implementation and resolve design, quality, and production challenges
• Apply engineering analysis methods to evaluate component durability, performance, reliability, and manufacturability
• Communicate technical recommendations and project progress to global stakeholders

Degree Requirement

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

Top candidates will have

• 5+ years of experience designing and developing mechanical systems
• Experience working on systems operating under significant mechanical loads
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to communicate technical concepts effectively across cross-functional teams
• Powertrain, drivetrain, transmission, gearbox, axle, or propulsion systems
• Gears, bearings, shafts, rotating equipment, and mechanical power transmission
• Structural, load-bearing, or heavy-duty mechanical systems
• Automotive, aerospace, defense, industrial equipment, off-highway, agricultural, or robotics applications
• Product development and engineering processes from concept through production
• Root cause analysis and corrective action implementation
• Collaboration with manufacturing, suppliers, and global engineering teams
• CAD-based design and engineering analysis tools

Key Skills

• Mechanical Design Engineering
• Product Development
• Powertrain Systems
• Drivetrain Engineering
• Design Validation
• System Integration
• Engineering Analysis
• DFMEA/PFMEA
• Root Cause Analysis
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Technical Leadership
• Problem Solving

Why Join Us?

• Work on world-class machines that operate in some of the toughest environments on earth
• Own critical components and systems with direct production impact
• Collaborate with global engineering experts and industry leaders
• Influence future drivetrain and powertrain technologies
• See your ideas evolve from concept to production

Additional Information

• This position will close at 11:59 p.m. on 10/26/2026.
• This position will be located onsite 5 days a week in East Peoria, IL (Building KK).
• Relocation assistance (domestic) is available for this position.
• Sponsorship is NOT available.
• This position may require less than 10% travel

#LI #MilitaryMonday #Letsdothework #caterpillarinc #Iamcaterpillar

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 22, 2026 - October 26, 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.