Manufacturing Engineering and Automation Manager

Caterpillar; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 128,000 - 193,000; 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

Parental leave

Adoption benefits

Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discre

Disability benefits

Life Insurance

Job summary

Caterpillar in Decatur, IL seeks a Manufacturing Engineering Manager and Automation Manager to lead plant-wide automation initiatives. You will shape manufacturing methods, drive NPI readiness, and build a high‑performing engineering team across assembly, fabrication, and machining.

This on‑site leadership role emphasizes safety, quality, velocity, and cost, with strong Lean and advanced automation focus. You’ll mentor engineers, optimize equipment and processes, and partner with product leaders

Qualifications

• Lean manufacturing leadership experience and capability.
• Deep understanding of assembly and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with equipment selection, integration, and upgrading.

Responsibilities

• Design and deploy automation systems.
• Support NPI readiness, process capability, tooling, and launch execution.
• Lead hiring, coaching, and development of manufacturing engineering teams.
• Oversee manufacturing scope across assembly and processing, cost estimation, and layout.
• Drive continuous improvement of methods, equipment, and infrastructure.
• Champion lean principles across the organization.
• Translate demand signals into short-term production and resource needs.
• Lead structured problem solving for complex issues.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Manufacturing Processes

Manufacturing Equipment

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Education

Degree or equivalent experience

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 Engineering and Automation Manager

Location: Decatur, IL
Travel: Up to 10%
Relocation Assistance: Available
Visa Sponsorship: Not Available

Job Summary

As the Manufacturing Engineering Manager and Automation Manager in Decatur, IL, you will work closely with operations and product leaders to align automated manufacturing systems, manufacturing processes, and product engineering around shared product-group objectives. You will lead manufacturing engineering capability across assembly, Fabrication and machining processing while building a strong, high‑performing engineering organization.

This is an on‑site leadership role focused on improving manufacturing methods, equipment, systems, and operating infrastructure to deliver safety, quality, velocity, and cost results. The role plays a critical part in New Product Introduction (NPI) readiness and execution, ensuring smooth product launches and manufacturing scalability.

You will drive innovation through deploying advanced automation across welding, painting, assembly, and material handling operations

Degree Requirement: Degree or equivalent experience desired.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and deploy automation systems
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) activities by ensuring manufacturing readiness, process capability, tooling availability, and launch execution
• Lead hiring, performance management, coaching, and development of manufacturing engineering teams supporting plant operations
• Direct manufacturing engineering scope across all assembly and manufacturing processing, cost estimating, systems planning, plant layout, standards, gaging/checking equipment, tooling, and work standards
• Manage the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of operating methods, equipment, systems, and manufacturing infrastructure
• Drive adoption and sustainment of lean manufacturing principles across the organization
• Lead capacity planning activities by translating demand signals into short‑term production and resource requirements
• Champion structured problem solving for complex manufacturing, process, and equipment issues

Required Skills

• Lean Manufacturing: Extensive experience leading lean adoption, work‑cell design, layout optimization, and performance measurement
• Manufacturing Processes: Deep understanding of assembly and manufacturing processes, best practices, and standardization
• Manufacturing Equipment: Expertise in equipment selection, qualification, integration, and infrastructure changes
• Problem Solving & Decision Making: Proven ability to lead cross‑functional problem solving using data‑driven approaches

Summary Pay Range:

$128,470.00 - $192,710.00

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

Posting Dates:

November 6, 2026 - November 29, 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.