Fabrications Manufacturing Engineer

Caterpillar Brazil; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 81,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off

401(k) plans

Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

Career Development

Incentive bonus

Life Insurance

Parental leave

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Athens, GA, is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer I to own and improve fabrication processes for Small Track-Type Tractors.

You will lead tooling design, RCCA activities, and process optimization while partnering with cross‑functional teams to ensure safe, high‑quality production. The role requires strong problem solving, Lean manufacturing knowledge, and experience with welding, CNC, and ERP systems (SAP preferred).

Qualifications

• Experience in fabrication and welding operations is preferred.
• Strong problem-solving skills with RCCA experience.
• Understanding of lean manufacturing and process optimization.

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain fabrication processes, routings, and labor standards.
• Design, release, and sustain production tooling and jigs.
• Lead RCCA activities for safety, quality, and cost issues.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, and Product Engineering to improve robustness.

Skills

Decision making

Critical thinking

Lean manufacturing

Fabrication processes

Problem management

Welding operations

CNC processes

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Engineering coursework in manufacturing

Tools

Creo

SolidWorks

Inventor

SAP

Job description

Career Area: Manufacturing 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.

Manufacturing Engineer I – Fabrication Operations

When you join Caterpillar, you’re joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but about each other. As a Manufacturing Engineer with the Building Construction Products (BCP) division in Athens, GA, you will work independently and on cross‑functional teams to maintain, sustain, and improve fabrication manufacturing processes supporting construction equipment structures for Small Track‑Type Tractors. This role serves as a technical owner for assigned fabrication areas and is responsible for routing definition, process and tooling design and maintenance, robotic welding and CNC‑related processes, root cause corrective action (RCCA), and continuous process optimization to ensure safe, capable, and cost‑effective production.

What you can look forward to doing in this role:

• Own and maintain fabrication manufacturing processes, routings, work instructions, and labor standards within ERP systems (SAP preferred).
• Define and maintain process flow, operation sequencing, and manufacturing methods from first operation through final fabrication.
• Design, release, and sustain production tooling, weld fixtures, jigs, and hard tooling supporting fabrication and robotic welding processes.
• Partner with tool rooms and suppliers to develop, debug, and improve tooling solutions throughout the tooling lifecycle.
• Lead root cause corrective action (RCCA) activities for safety, quality, delivery, and cost issues using structured problem‑solving methods (e.g., 5‑Why, Fishbone, A3).
• Implement and validate corrective actions and ensure long‑term effectiveness and sustainability.
• Develop and validate process cycle times through time studies and capacity analysis.
• Analyze OEE, scrap, rework, dimensional, and process capability data to identify constraints and optimization opportunities.
• Lead process optimization efforts focused on throughput, weld quality, automation utilization, ergonomics, and cost reduction.
• Troubleshoot day‑to‑day fabrication process issues and provide cross‑shift production support as needed.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) activities, ensuring fabrication readiness through tooling, routings, capacity, and risk assessment.
• Review engineering drawings, change notices, and concepts for manufacturability and fabrication risk.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, and Product Engineering to improve product quality and manufacturing robustness.

A successful candidate in this role will showcase their skills and have:

• Extensive experience in Decision Making and Critical Thinking with the ability to evaluate complex shop‑floor problems and implement effective solutions.
• Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and the ability to apply them within fabrication and welding operations.
• Extensive experience with Manufacturing and Fabrication Processes, including the ability to plan, execute, sustain, and improve end‑to‑end fabrication operations.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing Problem Management Processes with demonstrated experience leading structured RCCA to closure.

Top candidates for this position may also have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Welding Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related technical discipline.
• Coursework, project, internship, co‑op, or work experience involving manufacturing processes such as cutting, forming, bending, machining, welding, assembly, material flow, or quality control.
• Documented experience with CAD tools such as Creo, SolidWorks, Inventor, or similar design software.
• Documented manufacturing, factory, shop‑floor, lab, internship, co‑op, capstone, military, trade, or work experience involving process improvement, production support, or hands‑on problem solving.
• Documented use of structured problem‑solving methods such as 5‑Why, fishbone diagrams, A3 thinking, RCCA, Lean tools, process improvement projects, or engineering project analysis.
• Documented coursework, project, internship, or work experience interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, weld symbols, tolerances, or manufacturability requirements.
• Hands‑on experience with welding processes.
• Demonstrated ability to collect and analyze relevant data and translate it into measurable results.
• Completed coursework, projects, internships, or work experience involving robotic welding, automation, CNC equipment, manufacturing technology, or troubleshooting and optimization methods.
• Hands‑on involvement in safety hazard recognition and safety process improvements.

Summary Pay Range:

Pay Range: $81,370.00 - $122,060.00 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:

• 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

Posting Dates:

August 31, 2026 - September 13, 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.

There’s more to work at Caterpillar than just the work itself. We hire smart, friendly people and it shows in our culture. We hold ourselves to high standards and make sure our values of integrity, excellence, teamwork, commitment and sustainability come to life in the way we work. We make sure our employees feel continuously challenged while also supported. We provide professional growth opportunities, including leadership programs. We celebrate the diversity of our team, while also working together as one Caterpillar. Our culture, like everything at our company, is made possible by each employee’s contribution. Person by person, we create the environment we work in, and we are proud of the Caterpillar we’ve built.