Manufacturing Controls Engineer

Caterpillar; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 98,000 - 146,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off (vacation/holidays)

401(k) savings plans

HSA/FSAs

Job summary

Caterpillar is hiring a Manufacturing Controls Engineer in Decatur, IL. You will design and improve manufacturing performance, lead automation projects, and coach shop-floor teams. The role emphasizes data-driven improvements, reliability, and cost effectiveness in a high-visibility plant environment.

The ideal candidate blends hands-on engineering with structured problem solving, has IIoT experience, and works across suppliers to deliver durable solutions. Onsite work is required.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience desired.
• Experience with IIoT deployment and leadership.
• Knowledge of API integration and industrial robotics.

Responsibilities

• Defines software and hardware requirements to control and enhance production equipment and processes in collaboration with manufacturing and quality engineering.
• Selects and leads the implementation of new control devices and sensors into IIoT platforms and MES.
• Creates, troubleshoots, and modifies PLC programming and ladder logic of production equipment to optimize manufacturing performance.
• Leads automation projects with complex systems designs and integrated controls software.
• Monitors advanced equipment performance and process reliability; uses problem solving to improve repeatability.
• Provides technical guidance in major projects with suppliers to improve productivity and cost effectiveness.

Skills

API integration

IIoT deployment

Industrial robotics

Siemens software

Allen-Bradley software

Education

Degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Siemens software

Allen-Bradley software

Robot brands (Fanuc, ABB, Kuka, Cloos)

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 Controls Engineer

Primary Location: Decatur, IL, East Peoria, IL (SS/LL) Travel: Up to 40% Relocation Assistance: Available Visa Sponsorship: Not Available

As a Manufacturing Controls Engineer based in Decatur, IL, you will provide technical expertise to design and improve manufacturing performance across production, cost, quality, safety compliance, and environmental requirements. You will lead enhancements to complex equipment and processes, monitor reliability to eliminate downtime and chronic losses, and coach operations technical staff and support teams to strengthen capability on the shop floor. This role is ideal for a hands-on manufacturing engineer who thrives in a high-visibility plant environment, blends structured problem solving with practical engineering, and enjoys turning data into sustainable process improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Defines software and hardware requirements to control and enhance production equipment and processes in collaboration with manufacturing and quality engineering.
• Selects and leads the implementation of new control devices and sensors into IIoT platforms and manufacturing execution systems.
• Creates, trouble shoots, and modifies PLC programming and ladder logic of production equipment to optimize manufacturing performance.
• Leads and supports automation projects with complex systems designs and integrated controls software.
• Monitors advanced equipment performance and process reliability; applies mature problem solving skills to improve consistency and repeatability.
• Provides technical expertise and guidance in major manufacturing projects, working with internal/external suppliers to support/improve manufacturing productivity and cost effectiveness.

Ideal candidate will have:

• In-depth knowledge of API integration
• Experience in IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) deployment and leadership
• Siemens and Allen-Bradley software skills
• Knowledge of embedded A.I. technologies
• Experience with Robotics (Fanuc, ABB, Kuka, Cloos)

Education/Experience: Degree or equivalent experience desired.

What Skills You Will Have:

• Manufacturing Engineering (Manufacturing Environment): Ability to design and implement manufacturing processes safely and effectively, following standards, policies, and practices.
• Manufacturing Processes: Ability to execute, plan, manage, and monitor manufacturing processes; document standards; and integrate new technologies into existing processes.
• Lean Manufacturing: Ability to apply lean principles and tools to improve flow, reduce waste, and strengthen work cell design and performance measurement.
• Problem Solving + Critical Thinking: Ability to organize data, clarify priorities, evaluate alternatives, and use diagnostic tools to drive durable countermeasures.
• Project Management: Ability to help build detailed project plans (cost/schedule/resources), gather stakeholder inputs, and produce standard status reports.
• Robotic Process Automation (RPA): Working knowledge of developing/deploying automation solutions, analyzing workflows, testing, and using common RPA platforms (examples listed include Pega, Automation Anywhere, Blue Prism, UiPath).

#LI Summary Pay Range:

$97,530.00 - $146,290.00 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

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: 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.

More About Work at Caterpillar

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.