Manufacturing Engineer - CNC Programmer

Caterpillar Inc.

East Peoria (IL)

On-site

USD 98,000 - 146,000

Full time

2 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision

Paid time off

401(k)

Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

Career development

Incentive bonus

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in East Peoria, Illinois, is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer - CNC Programmer to enhance safety, quality, cost, and efficiency across heavy equipment manufacturing.

You will develop CNC programs, specify tooling, and support multi-axis machining with a focus on lean processes and practical problem solving. The role involves leading process improvements, collaborating with operations and technical teams, and managing projects from planning through execution, including budgeting

Qualifications

Requires degree or equivalent practical experience in manufacturing engineering or related field.
Ability to create, evaluate, and optimize CNC processes and programs.
Experience with lean manufacturing, root-cause analysis, and project execution.
Familiarity with Creo and NX NC programming and tooling optimization.

Responsibilities

Develop, optimize, and sustain safe, efficient manufacturing and tooling processes for machining complex components.
Create, validate, and maintain CNC programs for multi-axis machining and turning centers.
Design tooling, fixtures, and workholding to improve quality and productivity.
Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation such as work instructions and process sheets.
Lead root cause analysis, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Evaluate and support manufacturing equipment, tooling, and automation improvements.
Manage technical projects including planning, budgeting, and execution.

Skills

Manufacturing Eng

CNC programming

Lean manufacturing

Problem solving

Project management

Education or experience

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Creo

NX NC

Post-processor

Automation

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 - CNC Programmer

Location: East Peoria, IL (LL)

Travel: Up to 5%

Relocation Assistance: Available

Visa Sponsorship: Not Available

Job Summary

As a Manufacturing Engineer - CNC Programmer 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

Develop, optimize, and sustain safe, efficient manufacturing and tooling processes for machining complex components used in heavy equipment production.
Create, validate, and maintain CNC programs for multi‑axis machining and turning centers, including process prove‑out and production support activities.
Design, engineer, and specify tooling, workholding, fixtures, jigs, machine setup requirements, and related manufacturing solutions to improve quality, safety, and productivity.
Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation, including operation specifications, work instructions, setup drawings, tooling standards, cycle time analyses, and process sheets.
Lead root cause analysis, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives addressing safety, quality, throughput, cost, reliability, and process bottlenecks.
Evaluate, implement, and support manufacturing equipment, tooling, automation, process improvements, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Manage technical projects involving new equipment, tooling, software, facility enhancements, and process development, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, and execution.

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 create, evaluate, and optimize manufacturing processes and CNC programs, including process controls, manufacturing standards, production activities, and deliverables, while driving the adoption of modern manufacturing technologies.
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 supporting manufacturing equipment, production processes, factory operations, or process improvement in a complex or high‑volume manufacturing environment.
Experience with Creo and NX NC programming, including toolpath development, program verification, post‑processor evaluation and modification, and machining process optimization.
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