Manufacturing Engineer

Caterpillar Inc.; East Peoria (IL); On-site; USD 98,000 - 146,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off plan

401(k) savings plans

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Career Development

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer in East Peoria, IL to enhance safety, quality, cost and efficiency across complex manufacturing operations.

You will evaluate equipment and processes, drive improvements, and deliver practical, data-driven engineering solutions with lean principles. You will collaborate with operations, technical teams and support functions to turn operational needs into action, manage projects, and mentor staff while advancing automated solutions and

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of manufacturing engineering methods, equipment, specs, standards and practices.
• Ability to assess manufacturing phases, processes, controls and opportunities to introduce new technology.
• Strong problem-solving, structured decision-making and critical thinking.

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate and implement enhancements to equipment, methods and processes.
• Monitor performance, investigate issues and support corrective actions to improve results.
• Lead engineering support for planning, development, operation, installation and maintenance of equipment and facilities.
• Apply lean manufacturing principles to improve safety, quality, flow, cost and reliability.
• Assess manual operations for collaborative automation and support robot deployment.
• Use structured problem-solving and diagnostic tools to define issues and evaluate alternatives.
• Develop project plans, estimates, schedules and resources for manufacturing initiatives.
• Provide technical direction and coaching to operations staff.

Skills

Manufacturing Engineering

Manufacturing Processes

Problem-Solving

Lean Manufacturing

Project Management

Education/Experience

Paint Systems

Coating Standards

Safety & EH&S

Collaborative Automation

Robot Risk Assessments

Root Cause Analysis

Process Improvement

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

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.

Career Area

Manufacturing

Manufacturing Engineer

Location: East Peoria, IL (LL)

Travel: Up to 5%

Relocation Assistance: Available

Visa Sponsorship: Not Available

Job Summary

As a Manufacturing Engineer in East Peoria, Illinois, you will provide technical expertise that improves the safety, quality, cost, reliability, and efficiency of complex manufacturing operations. You will evaluate production equipment and processes, identify improvement opportunities, and help implement sustainable engineering solutions. This position combines hands‑on manufacturing support with lean manufacturing, process improvement, equipment reliability, collaborative automation, and project execution. You will work closely with operations, technical teams, and support functions to solve manufacturing challenges and strengthen production capability. The successful candidate will use data, sound engineering judgment, and structured problem‑solving to turn operational needs into practical results.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and implement enhancements or modifications to complex manufacturing equipment, production methods, and manufacturing processes.
• Monitor equipment performance and process reliability, investigate problem areas, and support corrective actions that improve production results.
• Lead engineering support for the planning, development, operation, installation, and maintenance of manufacturing equipment, processes, and facilities.
• Apply lean manufacturing principles and process‑monitoring techniques to improve safety, quality, flow, cost, reliability, and operational effectiveness.
• Assess manual operations for collaborative automation opportunities and support the safe development, testing, risk assessment, and deployment of collaborative robots.
• Use structured problem‑solving, fact‑finding, and diagnostic tools to define manufacturing issues, evaluate alternatives, and support informed decisions.
• Develop project plans, estimates, schedules, resource requirements, and status updates for assigned manufacturing engineering initiatives.
• Provide technical direction, coaching, and development support to operations technical staff and other manufacturing support teams.

Required Skills

• Manufacturing Engineering: Working knowledge of manufacturing engineering methods, equipment, specifications, standards, and practices, with the ability to support the design, installation, maintenance, or improvement of production processes.
• Manufacturing Processes: Ability to assess manufacturing phases, activities, deliverables, standards, process controls, and opportunities to introduce new technology.
• Problem‑Solving and Critical Thinking: Ability to gather and organize relevant information, define problems, consider stakeholder perspectives, evaluate risks and benefits, and recommend productive solutions.
• Lean Manufacturing: Working knowledge of lean principles, work‑cell considerations, waste reduction, lean assessment tools, and measures of manufacturing effectiveness.
• Project Management: Ability to contribute to project plans, cost and schedule estimates, resource requirements, progress tracking, stakeholder coordination, and status reporting.
• Education or Equivalent Experience: A degree or equivalent practical experience is desired for this position.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with automated paint systems, conveyors, ovens, wash systems, and associated process controls.
• Working knowledge of coating specifications, paint quality standards, and root cause analysis of coating defects.
• Familiarity with environmental, health, and safety requirements related to paint operations.
• Experience supporting manufacturing equipment, production processes, factory operations, or process improvement in a complex or high‑volume manufacturing environment.
• Experience with collaborative automation, collaborative robots, robot risk assessments, automation testing, or deployment of automated manufacturing solutions.
• Familiarity with manufacturing problem‑solving and continuous‑improvement approaches such as root‑cause analysis, process mapping, waste reduction, standard work, or production‑performance analysis.
• Experience coordinating engineering projects involving equipment changes, manufacturing‑process modifications, cost estimates, schedules, suppliers, or cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate technical findings clearly and coach operations or technical personnel through process, equipment, or technology changes.

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

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

Posting Dates

September 4, 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.