MANUFACTURING ENGINEER - NPI AND CAPITAL

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) savings plan

HSA

FSAs

Bonus eligibility

Relocation assistance

Career development

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Caterpillar in Pontiac, IL is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to lead capital equipment projects for capacity expansion and process improvement. You will focus on metal cutting tools and may support automation and assembly equipment as needed.

You will drive NPI and CPI initiatives, manage projects from concept through installation, and collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and Product Engineering to ensure safe and efficient manufacturing processes.

Qualifications

• Decision making and critical thinking to analyze situations and reach informed decisions.
• Lean manufacturing principles and implementation to improve processes.
• Knowledge of soft and hard machining and CAD software to improve manufacturability.
• Knowledge of manufacturing methods and processes to plan and monitor production.
• CNC machine tools experience to operate and optimize tooling.
• Project management skills to plan, organize, and control projects.
• Knowledge of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to develop automation solutions.

Responsibilities

• Develops, analyzes, and manages Manufacturing/Assembly Projects and budgets.
• Administers the NPI process to ensure timely engineering drawings release for NPI builds.
• Creates and implements APQP and SFMEA for new equipment and processes.
• Addresses ergonomic, safety, efficiency, and bottleneck issues.
• Collaborates with suppliers to deliver cost-effective systems and processes.
• Supports assembly/test processes and equipment capabilities.
• Designs and integrates manufacturing systems including software, scheduling, simulation.
• Implements automation in existing equipment.
• Works with Metrology to improve quality with advanced gauage solutions.
• Provides manufacturing process control and internal certification support.
• Coordinates purchasing of machine tools and controls to adopt latest tech.

Skills

CNC Machine tools experience

Project Management

Lean Manufacturing

Manufacturing Concepts

Manufacturing Processes

Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

Decision Making and Critical Thinking

Education

Associate or Bachelor degree in Engineering/Manufacturing/Industrial Technology

Tools

PLCs

Robotics

Job description

Career Area

Manufacturing

Role Definition

This Manufacturing Engineer will serve as a Project Lead on the New Capital Introduction team, managing capital equipment projects that support capacity expansion, equipment replacement, and manufacturing improvements. The primary focus will be metal cutting machine tools for both soft and hard machining applications, with opportunities to support automation and assembly equipment projects as business needs arise.

This role supports New Product Introduction (NPI) and Continuous Product Improvement (CPI) initiatives while providing occasional production support. The Manufacturing Engineer will lead projects from concept and equipment selection through installation, commissioning, and handoff to Operations. Success in this role requires close collaboration with Operations, Logistics, Maintenance, Quality, and Product Engineering teams to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable manufacturing processes.

What You Will Do

• Develops, analyzes, and manages Manufacturing/Assembly Projects. Assists in developing department capital and expense budgets. Maintains the department capital forecast.
• Administers the NPI process to ensure that Engineering drawings are released and processed on time for NPI build.
• Creates and implements APQP and SFMEA (Safety) for new equipment and processes to provide a smooth transition from NPI to full production for Operation.
• Engages in creative problem solving to address operational issues including ergonomic/safety, efficiency improvements, process bottlenecks, quality concerns.
• Works with internal and external suppliers to develop and manage projects to ensure efficient and cost-effective systems and processes to produce quality products.
• Provides the application, procurement, processing, installation, and capability of assembly and test processes and equipment.
• Designs, develops, and implements the integration of manufacturing systems including factory control software, scheduling techniques, simulation, and systems application.
• Designs and integrates automation in existing manufacturing equipment.
• Works with Metrology engineer to come up with advance gage solutions for new and existing product to improve quality.
• Provides manufacturing technical support in process control and internal certification.
• Coordinates the purchase and application of machine tools, controls, and related equipment corporate-wide to ensure the latest technology is being used to increase efficiency and economy of operations.

What Skills You Have

• 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 Concepts: Knowledge of soft and hard machining practices and CAD software; ability to apply manufacturing concepts to improve product quality, manufacturability, and production performance.
• Manufacturing Processes: Knowledge of existing product manufacturing methods, technologies and processes; ability to execute, plan, manage and monitor the entire manufacturing process.
• CNC Machine tools experience.
• Project Management: Experience using effective project management strategies and tactics; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control projects, ensuring efficient utilization of technical and administrative resources to achieve project objectives.
• Robotic Process Automation (RPA): Knowledge of techniques and processes of robotic process automation (RPA); ability to develop and deploy RPA solutions in various industries.

Top Candidates May Have

• Associate or Bachelor degree in Engineering Manufacturing or Industrial Technology (Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial concentration preferred)
• Automation system experience, including PLCs and robots used in assembly, deburring.
• Significant previous machine tools process (CNC) experience.
• Grinding and Honing process experience.
• Experience in diesel and fuel systems.
• Supplier collaboration.
• Management experience.
• APQP experience.
• Experience with 6 Sigma and Lean Manufacturing concepts.
• End-of-Line testing and analysis experience.

Additional Information

This position requires the selected candidate to work on-site five days a week in the Pontiac, IL facility.

Up to 25% travel, both domestic and international.

Domestic relocation assistance is available.

VISA sponsorship is not available for this position.

Please ensure you frequently sign in to your Candidate Home for any updates or correspondence for positions that you have applied for: Caterpillar Careers.

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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

August 3, 2026 - August 17, 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.

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Locations

PONTIAC, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA