Engineering Project Team Leader

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) savings plans

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Caterpillar’s Earthmoving Division seeks an Engineering Project Team Lead (machine development) to guide multi-disciplinary test engineers at the Peoria Proving Ground in Washington, IL. You will drive validation strategy and oversee hands-on testing from concept to production, ensuring quality and performance in field-ready machines.

You will mentor a team, collaborate across product groups, and advance validation early in the NPI lifecycle with strong program planning and execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Agricultural Engineering or related fields.
• Strong analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
• Experience with validation tools such as DeweSoft, TCE, CAT ET is a plus; Microsoft Excel for data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships across Product Groups and Validation to ensure collaboration.
• Provide technical direction and mentorship to test engineers.
• Maintain and improve standard test procedures for consistency and quality.
• Develop and maintain validation strategies with system and global teams.
• Track program health, risks, and progress.
• Hands‑on validation and customer‑perspective testing support.
• Lead process improvements and facility projects.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Mentorship

Cross-functional collaboration

Lean principles

Machine validation experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Agricultural Engineering

Tools

DeweSoft

TCE

DATK

SuperComm2

CAT ET

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Career Area:

Engineering

Job Description:

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.

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpillar’s Earthmoving Division is seeking a Engineering Project Team Lead (machine development) to lead a team of multi-disciplinary test engineers developing and validating Caterpillar products at the Peoria Proving Ground in Washington, IL.

Are you looking for an opportunity to leverage your engineering expertise to solve customers’ toughest challenges? Do you enjoy hands‑on work and getting out of the office to operate machines that move earth? If so, this is an excellent opportunity to join the PPG team.

In this highly visible role, you will ensure Caterpillar machines meet end‑user quality expectations by providing technical leadership and guiding validation activities at the machine, system, and component levels. You will play a key role in advancing machine validation earlier in the NPI lifecycle through strong program planning and execution.

What You’ll Do (Job Duties)

• Build Relationships: Strengthen collaboration between Product Groups, Process Partners, and Validation teams while reinforcing Validation as a critical partner in product development and safety.
• Technical Leadership: Provide technical direction and mentorship to a team of test engineers.
• Process Ownership: Maintain and improve standard test procedures to ensure consistency and quality.
• Strategy & Execution: Develop and maintain validation strategies and activity plans in partnership with system and global machine development teams.
• Progress Monitoring: Track and communicate program health, risks, and progress.
• Hands‑On Validation: Support the team through direct involvement in machine testing from a customer perspective.
• Leadership: Lead process improvements and facility‑related projects.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Impactful Work: Directly influence the next generation of machines and technology platforms.
• Career Growth: Expand expertise in advanced systems and large‑scale product development.
• Team Culture: Collaborate with a highly skilled and supportive team.

What You Have (Core Skills)

• Degree Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Agricultural Engineering or related fields.
• Products and Services: Knowledge of major products and services and product and service groups; ability to apply knowledge of product and service appropriately to diverse situations.
• Technical Excellence: Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.
• Influencing Through Expertise: Knowledge of effective influencing tactics and strategies; ability to use these to deepen own expertise and impact or challenge decisions within and outside own organization.
• 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.
• Troubleshooting Technical Problems: Knowledge of troubleshooting approaches, tools and techniques; ability to anticipate, detect and resolve technical problems in a manufacturing or product management environment.
• 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.

Top Candidates Will Also Have

• Strong analytical thinking and decision‑making skills
• Experience using Microsoft tools for automation and data analysis
• Understanding of Lean principles and continuous improvement
• Experience with tools such as DeweSoft, TCE, DATK, SuperComm2, CAT ET, and machine troubleshooting
• Background in product development, machine testing, mining, or electrical/electronic systems.

Additional Details

• Work location: IL-Peoria-Proving Ground AA
• Domestic relocation assistance IS NOT available for this role
• Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this role.
• Travel: Up to 10% domestic and international
• This position requires 5 days per week in the office (M-F)

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.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.