Manufacturing Engineer- Assembly Operations

Caterpillar Inc.; Sanford (NC); On-site; USD 81,000 - 122,000; 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

Incentive bonus

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Sanford, NC, is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to maintain and improve processes in our high‑volume production environment. You will analyze manufacturing steps, design tooling, and implement improvements to support line efficiency and product quality.

You'll work with CI techs and planners, lead line balancing, review blueprints, and drive continuous improvement initiatives across the lean value stream in our state‑of‑the‑art facility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering required or in progress (graduating Dec 2026 accepted).
• 2+ years of engineering experience, internships counted.
• Experience in manufacturing environments appreciated.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform technical analysis of manufacturing processes to support management decisions.
• Design/direct tooling and equipment to support production needs.
• Troubleshoot process issues and implement improvements.
• Lead line balancing activities to support line rate changes.
• Review blueprints and maintain BOMs and work orders.

Skills

Decision Making

Lean Manufacturing

Manufacturing Processes

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

Standard assembly tools

Job description

Job Description

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

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.

Your Future Starts Here

The exciting world of caterpillars building construction products division and the lean value stream approach are thriving in our Sanford, NC facility where we manufacture and assemble industry-leading products such as the Skid Steer Loader! If you are a dynamic trailblazer with exceptional performance and a focus on excellence, this is a great opportunity for you to join a global leader and put your talents to the test to accelerate your career. When you join Caterpillar, you are joining a team of makers, innovators and doers. We are the people who roll up our sleeves and do the work to build a better world. We don’t just talk about progress and innovation. We make it happen. And we are proud of that, because it helps our customers build and power the world we live in – the roads, hospitals, homes and infrastructure. Without a dedicated workforce Caterpillar could not effectively meet our customer’s needs.

Caterpillar’s Manufacturing Engineer (ME) position works both independently and as part of a team to maintain and improve processes and systems used in product manufacturing and provide analysist and recommendations for product design, current and future systems, procedures, training and equipment needs based on requirements.

Job Duties/Responsibilities May Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Perform technical analysis of manufacturing processes to support management decisions
• Design / direct the acquisition, design, fabrication and repair of all necessary tooling and machine
• Troubleshoot day-to-day process issues, develops solutions, and monitors improvements
• Monitor all exchange and in-house requirements
• Procure material related to manufacturing improvements through external suppliers
• Perform quality checks on machines
• Analyze and deploy engineering change notices
• Establish and maintain bill of materials and work orders
• Respond to customer issues and lead process improvements
• Provide day-to-day coaching duties in absence of team leader
• Working with planners and CI Techs (Continuous Improvement)
• Lead line balancing activities to support line rate changes
• Review blueprints

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

• Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
• Lean Manufacturing: Knowledge of the philosophy, principles and implementation approaches of lean manufacturing; ability to integrate and implement lean manufacturing philosophy into existing production and management processes.
• Manufacturing Processes: Knowledge of existing product manufacturing methods, technologies and processes; ability to execute, plan, manage and monitor the entire manufacturing process.
• Problem Solving: Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations.

Top Candidates Will Also Have

• Bachelor's Degree (graduating in December 2026 is acceptable) in an Engineering related discipline
• Thorough knowledge of manufacturing concepts
• 2 + years of engineering experience (Internships will be counted towards experience)
• Prior experience working in a manufacturing environment
• Project management experience
• Working knowledge of standard assembly tools and their applications
• Good communication, interpersonal and teamwork skills
• Ability to work with a diverse group of employees and customers

Relocation assistance is not available for this position

Summary 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

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 10, 2026 - September 23, 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.