Design Engineering Specialist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off (PTO)

401(k) savings plans

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Health Lifestyle Programs

Employee Assistance Program

Voluntary Benefits & Discounts

Career Development

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Design Engineering Specialist to lead projects for the Integrated Drivetrain Energy Solutions (IDES) Division, covering Large Mining Truck, Off Highway Truck, and Wheel Tractor Scraper products.

You will provide design, validation, source council, and support to execute a portfolio of projects. The role emphasizes product design leadership, design optimization, supplier collaboration, and hands-on prototyping with a focus on safety, quality, and cost.

Qualifications

• Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis and root-cause determination.
• Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Ability to analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
• Effective Communications: Ability to transmit and interpret ideas and needs clearly.
• Project Management: Plan, organize, monitor, and control projects with efficient resource use.
• Computer-Aided Design & Engineering: Produce, analyze, simulate and test product design drafts.
• Product Development Life Cycle - MFG: Knowledge of manufacturing product development lifecycle phases and deliverables.
• Product Testing: Design and execute testing strategies to ensure product quality.
• Troubleshooting Technical Problems: Anticipate, detect and resolve problems in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop design parameters, performance characteristics, and specifications to satisfy customer needs and improve safety, quality, velocity and cost.
• Guide evolution of technical design, project planning, detail design, and development testing; participate in supplier selection and capability assessment.
• Monitor, explore, and test new technologies, materials, and components for potential improvements.
• Construct and fabricate prototype equipment; oversee materials selection, process optimization and reliability testing.

Skills

Analytical Thinking

Decision Making

Effective Communications

Project Management

Computer-Aided Design & Engineering

Product Development Life Cycle - MFG

Product Testing

Troubleshooting Technical Problems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Job description

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.

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*