Design Engineering Specialist

Socket.dev; East Peoria (IL); On-site; USD 128,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Paid time off

401(k) savings plans

Relocation assistance

Tuition reimbursement

Career development

Incentive bonus

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Design Engineering Specialist to lead projects in the Integrated Drivetrain Energy Solutions Division for Large Mining Truck, Off Highway Truck, and Wheel Tractor Scraper products. You will guide design, validation, supplier interactions, and project execution.

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Materials Science is required. Candidates should demonstrate analytical thinking, problem solving, and strong communication, with experience in CAD, product development

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Materials Science required.
• Strong design, validation, and supplier coordination skills.
• Experience with CAD/engineering tools and product development cycles.

Responsibilities

• Develop design parameters, performance specs, and technical documentation.
• Lead technical design evolution, planning, and testing; participate in supplier assessments.
• Monitor new technologies and materials for product/process improvements.
• Oversee prototype construction, materials selection, and reliability testing.

Skills

Analytical Thinking

Decision Making

Effective Communications

Project Management

CAD & Engineering

Product Development Life Cycle

Product Testing

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Materials Science

Job description

Career Area:

Engineering

Job Description:

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you'rejoining 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'tjust 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.

Hear about the Caterpillar Experience for yourself

Role Definition

The Design Engineering Specialist position is a project leader supporting the Integrated Drivetrain Energy Solutions (IDES) Division for Large Mining Truck, Off Highway Truck, and Wheel Tractor Scraper products. In addition to providing project leadership, this position would provide design, validation, source council, and other support as needed to execute the portfolio of projects.

What you will do

• Develop design parameters, performance characteristics, and technical specifications of products and components that satisfy customer needs and advance safety, quality, velocity and cost.

• Guiding the evolution of the technical design, technical project planning, detail design, and development testing. Participating in supplier selection and capabilities assessment.

• Monitoring, exploring, and testing new technologies, materials, and components to understand product or process improvement opportunities.

• Constructing and fabricating prototype equipment; overseeing materials selection, process optimization and process yield, as well as reliability testing and failure analysis.

Degree Requirement

• Bachelor’s degree in an accredited Engineering or Materials Science curriculum is required.

What you will have (Skills)

• 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.

• Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.

• 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.

• Project Management: Knowledge of effective project management strategies and tactics; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control projects, ensuring efficient utilization of technical and administrative resources to achieve project objectives.

• Computer-Aided Design & Engineering: Knowledge of tools and techniques of specialized graphics programs; ability to produce, analyze, simulate and test product design drafts.

• Product Development Life Cycle - MFG: Knowledge of the methodology and associated phases, activities and deliverables of product development life cycle in manufacturing organizations; ability to bring new or enhanced products to the marketplace.

• Product Testing: Knowledge of product testing approaches, techniques and tools; ability to design, plan and execute testing strategies and tactics to ensure product quality at all stages of manufacturing.

• Troubleshooting Technical Problems: Knowledge of troubleshooting approaches, tools and techniques; ability to anticipate, detect and resolve technical problems in a manufacturing environment.

Additional Information

• This position will close on 9/28/2026 at 11:59 p.m.

• This position will be located onsite 5 days a week in either East Peoria, IL (Building KK) or Decatur, IL.

• Relocation is Available

• VISA Sponsorship is NOT Available

• Travel requirements will be less than 10%.

Summary Pay Range:

$128,470.00 - $192,710.00

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:

September 14, 2026 - September 28, 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.