Manufacturing Project Engineer

Caterpillar Brazil; Decatur, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 113,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Paid time off

401(k) plan

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Decatur, IL is seeking a Manufacturing Project Leader to drive continuous improvement across plant operations using Lean and Six Sigma DMAIC. You will lead multi-disciplinary teams to deliver measurable gains in safety, quality, throughput, and cost.

Apply your experience in operations, engineering, and supply chain to justify improvements with strong business cases, mentor staff, and collaborate with leaders to execute complex initiatives at scale.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Business, or related technical discipline.
• 5–10 years leading Lean Continuous Improvement in manufacturing.
• Six Sigma Black Belt certification or proven history of delivering improvements.
• Strong project management leading multiple initiatives and cross-functional teams.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills with data-driven recommendations.
• Leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and change management capabilities.
• Experience in Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, or Engineering with strong business acumen.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing projects and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, quality, throughput, productivity, and cost performance.
• Utilize Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma DMAIC methodologies to drive process transformations and standard work.
• Develop and execute project plans including scope, timelines, budgets, risks, business cases, and implementation strategies.
• Identify, prioritize, and financially justify improvement opportunities with metrics and reporting.
• Provide manufacturing engineering support for process development, facility improvements, and equipment implementation.
• Collaborate with Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Maintenance, Safety, Product Engineering, and suppliers to improve manufacturability and cost.
• Coach teams on Lean principles and lead cross-functional teams to achieve objectives.

Skills

Capacity Planning

CAD

Decision Making

Manufacturing Engineering

Project Management

Robotics

Technical Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Business

Tools

CAD tools

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. At Caterpillar, your work helps shape the world.

Additional Information Location: Decatur, IL. Up to 10% travel may be required. Sponsorship is not available for this position. Domestic relocation assistance is not available. Applications accepted through September 22, 2026.

What You’ll Do

Lead manufacturing projects and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance safety, quality, throughput, productivity, and cost performance across plant operations. Utilize Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma DMAIC methodologies to drive process transformations, eliminate waste, improve efficiency, and establish sustainable standard work. Develop and execute project plans including scope, timelines, budgets, risk assessments, business cases, and implementation strategies to ensure successful project delivery. Identify, prioritize, and financially justify improvement opportunities while establishing metrics and reporting processes to measure project impact and business performance. Provide manufacturing engineering expertise to support process development, facility improvements, equipment implementation, and manufacturing system integration. Partner with Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Maintenance, Safety, Product Engineering, and external suppliers to improve manufacturability, productivity, and cost effectiveness. Train, coach, and develop team members on Lean principles, problem-solving methodologies, and continuous improvement disciplines while leading cross-functional teams to achieve project objectives.

What Makes This Role Exciting

• Drive Real Impact: Lead projects that directly improve manufacturing performance and help Caterpillar deliver world-class products to customers around the globe.
• Champion Continuous Improvement: Serve as a Lean and Six Sigma leader, driving operational excellence and fostering a culture focused on sustainable improvement.
• Influence Business Outcomes: Identify opportunities, build business cases, and deliver initiatives that improve productivity, efficiency, and financial performance.
• Lead Complex Projects: Manage multiple high-visibility initiatives while collaborating with leaders and stakeholders across the organization.
• Develop People and Processes: Coach teams on Lean principles and help embed best practices that drive long-term success.
• Expand Your Expertise: Gain broad exposure across manufacturing, supply chain, operations, quality, and engineering functions.
• Build a Better World: Contribute to a company whose products and innovations power the infrastructure, communities, and industries that support everyday life.

What Skills You Will Have

• Capacity Planning & Management (Manufacturing): Ability to forecast production demand, translate business needs into capacity requirements, and develop short- and long-term manufacturing resource plans.
• Computer-Aided Design & Engineering (CAD): Proficiency using CAD tools to create, modify, and maintain engineering drawings, models, and specifications.
• Decision Making & Critical Thinking: Applies structured problem-solving techniques to evaluate data, assess risk, and make informed engineering and business decisions.
• Manufacturing Engineering: Utilizes manufacturing engineering principles to improve processes, resolve technical issues, and support operational excellence.
• Project Management: Leads complex projects by effectively planning resources, managing schedules and risks, and driving successful execution.
• Robotics & Automated Manufacturing Systems: Supports the implementation, operation, troubleshooting, and optimization of robotic and automated production equipment.
• Technical Troubleshooting: Diagnoses and resolves manufacturing, controls, equipment, software, and system-related technical issues.

Top Candidates Will Also Have Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Business, or a related technical discipline. 5-10 years of experience leading Lean Continuous Improvement initiatives within a manufacturing environment. Six Sigma Black Belt certification or training with a proven history of delivering successful process improvement projects. Strong project management experience leading multiple initiatives and cross-functional teams simultaneously. Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate processes holistically and make data-driven recommendations. Excellent leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and change management capabilities. Experience in Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, or Engineering, with strong business acumen and customer-focused decision making.

Pay Range

Summary Pay Range: $112,710.00 - $169,060.00 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

• 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 AssistanceProgram
• 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

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.

Company Culture

We hire smart, friendly people and it shows in our culture. We hold ourselves to high standards and make sure our values of integrity, excellence, teamwork, commitment and sustainability come to life in the way we work. We make sure our employees feel continuously challenged while also supported. We provide professional growth opportunities, including leadership programs. We celebrate the diversity of our team, while also working together as one Caterpillar. Our culture, like everything at our company, is made possible by each employee’s contribution. Person by person, we create the environment we work in, and we are proud of the Caterpillar we’ve built.