Engineering Project Team Leader- Manufacturing Modernization

Caterpillar Inc.; Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 128,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) savings plans

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Career Development

Incentive bonus

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Lafayette, IN, is seeking an experienced Engineering Project Team Leader to drive manufacturing modernization within the Large Power Systems Division. You will manage multi-functional engineering projects, coordinate resources, and deliver results for customers in a fast-paced industrial setting.

The role emphasizes technical problem solving, team leadership, and collaboration with manufacturing and engineering teams to optimize performance and reliability across value chains.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or relevant work experience demonstrating comparable knowledge and skills.
• Experience in manufacturing environments with a focus on process engineering and problem solving.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop project scope to address business challenges and opportunities.
• Coordinate resources across engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Oversee project progress and communicate status with stakeholders.
• Direct and develop project team members to achieve objectives.
• Review forecasts and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Manufacturing process engineering

Project leadership

Advanced problem-solving

Delivery track record

Collaboration & communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

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.

About Large Power Systems Division

The Large Power Systems Division (LPSD) is part of Caterpillar’s Power & Energy segment. Through this global organization, Caterpillar designs and manufacture large (greater than 18 liters) diesel and natural gas engines, powertrains and key engine systems. LPSD products and solutions support customers across power generation, industrial, marine, oil & gas, rail, services and Cat® machine applications worldwide. LPSD teams work across regions and function to deliver safe, reliable and compliant solutions that help solve our customers’ toughest challenges.

Job Summary

The Lafayette Engine Center (LEC) has an exciting opportunity for an experienced project engineer to join our manufacturing modernization effort as an Engineering Project Team Leader. The Engineering Team Leader manages multiple or complex engineering projects involving multiple functions, organizations, products, or value chains. Technical problem solving and collaboration with multiple teams is key to delivering results for our customers.

What You Will Do

• Develop project scope to address business challenges and opportunities.
• Coordinating resources across the business with engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Overseeing project progress; communicating status with stakeholders and participating functional areas; addressing and resolving issues.
• Motivating, directing, and developing project team and team members.
• Review operational forecasts and outcomes, driving continuous improvement

Degree Requirement

Bachelor's degree and/or relevant work experience demonstrating comparable knowledge and skills.

What You Will Have

Technical Excellence: Knowledge of mechanical systems and the ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.

• Advises others on the assessment and provision of technical solutions.
• Engages appropriate subject matter resources to effectively resolve technical issues.
• Coaches others in promoting, defining, analyzing, and providing superior technical solutions to business problems.
• Provides effective solutions to technical challenges through strong technical competence, effectively examining implications of events and issues.
• Assumes accountability for personal technical performance and holds others responsible for theirs.

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.

• Communicates complex ideas and concepts in a clear and concise manner so that others can understand.
• Exhibits depth and breadth of knowledge, skill, and experience.
• Provides relevant, timely and objective subject matter/process expertise and key insight regarding multiple business areas.
• Provides others with information, opportunities, or resources to develop their skills in the area of expertise.
• Discards examples of persuasive arguments lacking evidentiary support or impact.
• Coaches others to enhance their proficiency regarding the tenets, practices, and examples of the 'trusted advisor' credential.

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.

• Champions organization's project management methodology, tools, and techniques.
• Manages multiple high-risk, high-cost projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Coaches others in open communication among project stakeholders.
• Monitors major projects for critical path and actual status versus planned.
• Consults on project planning and management of high-risk, high-impact projects.
• Monitors industry for fresh approaches and tools for project management.

Team Management: Knowledge of effective team building techniques; ability to form and manage effective teams.

• Brings projects to closure and ensures capture of what can be learned from the experience.
• Leads the definition of team mission and objectives for a variety of teams.
• Employs appropriate techniques for maintaining team enthusiasm, energy, and focus.
• Ensures that team members are on board, unified, and moving in the same direction.
• Communicates both within the team and to stakeholders.
• Learns and utilizes special talents and work styles of team members.

Requirements Analysis: Knowledge of tools, methods, and techniques of requirement analysis; ability to elicit, analyze and record required business functionality and non-functionality requirements to ensure the success of a system or software development project.

• Plays an active or leading role in recording and storing requirement documents in various forms.
• Ensures the successful completion of all major activities, tasks and deliverables pertaining to the requirement analysis stage.
• Produces functional and information requirements documentation.Collaborates with others on requirements walkthroughs and quality reviews.

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.

• Evaluates business impact of failure and the criticality and timing of needed resolution.
• Resolves difficult or high-impact equipment and systems problems.
• Monitors machine or process performance and history; addresses excessive maintenance or repair needs and capacity constraints.
• Coaches others how to resolve integration or communications problems.
• Applies specific techniques for isolating a problem and defining resolution approach.
• Uses advanced diagnostic techniques and tools for unusual or performance-related problems.

Top Candidates Will Also Have

• Strong manufacturing operations process engineering experience
• Experience in leading projects involving modernization, production capacity and/or operations.
• Advanced problem-solving capabilities
• Proven ability to consistently deliver results
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills

Additional Information

• Location: Lafayette, IN.
• Travel: Up to 10% is possible for this position.
• This position requires the candidate to work a 5-day-a-week schedule in the office.
• Working environment is equally split between office and shop floor

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

October 14, 2026 - October 25, 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.