Global Lead, Heavy Structures Design Engineer

Caterpillar Brazil; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 148,000 - 222,000; 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

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Senior Design Engineering Specialist to act as a global technical expert for structural systems in the Load & Haul product portfolio.

You will guide design for manufacturing, durability validations, and cross-functional collaboration across programs and sites. You will mentor engineers, support APQP/CPPD processes, and drive standardization and best practices while traveling up to 25% and relocating domestically as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Experience with heavy structures in off-highway equipment and complex structural durability.
• Knowledge of welding processes, fabrication methods, and design for manufacturability (DFM).
• Experience mentoring engineers and providing technical leadership across programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership on complex structural fabrication design challenges for NPI/CPI and field issue resolution.
• Coach, mentor, and develop engineers through technical reviews and problem-solving support.
• Develop and review structural designs using DFM, DFA, and durability best practices.
• Provide expertise in weldment design, castings, fabricated structures, and load paths.
• Guide FEA, structural simulation, durability assessments, and physical validation.
• Interpret analysis results and propose improvements for durability, quality, cost, and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, purchasing, suppliers, and platform teams to optimize designs and processes.
• Support APQP, CPPD, FMEA, DVP&R, and other lifecycle activities.

Skills

Analytical Thinking

Troubleshooting

Effective Communications

Decision Making

CAD/CAE

Product Development Life Cycle

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline

Tools

CREO

ANSYS

Abaqus

Nastran

HyperWorks

Job description

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Senior Design Engineering Specialist to act as a global technical expert for structural systems in the Load & Haul product portfolio.

You will guide design for manufacturing, durability validations, and cross-functional collaboration across programs and sites. You will mentor engineers, support APQP/CPPD processes, and drive standardization and best practices while traveling up to 25% and relocating domestically as needed.