Manufacturing Project Engineer

Caterpillar Inc.; East Peoria (IL); On-site; USD 113,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off

401(k) savings plan

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Career Development

Incentive bonus

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in East Peoria, IL is seeking a Manufacturing Project Engineer to drive continuous improvement in Safety, Quality, Velocity and Cost.

This role will lead capital projects, coordinate with suppliers and internal teams, and ensure production readiness for new products within the US Drivetrain Operations. The position involves collaboration across functions, interface with external partners, and a focus on delivering robust, cost-effective manufacturing solutions in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Capacity planning and management for production demand and resource allocation.
• CAD/Engineering knowledge to produce/analyze/test design drafts.
• Decision making and critical thinking for informed judgments.
• Engineering in a manufacturing environment to design and implement processes.
• Project management to plan, organize, and control projects.
• Robotics and computer-controlled machinery in automated settings.
• Technical troubleshooting across hardware, software, or processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance on major manufacturing projects with suppliers and internal partners.
• Implement capacity and process improvements with a plant-wide view.
• Follow capital process from spec to PO and runoff for equipment.
• Evaluate supplier proposals and drive improvements to deliver best solutions.
• Manage supplier execution and on-time delivery.
• Guide manufacturing engineers and operators to develop high-quality products and processes.

Skills

Capacity Planning

CAD/Engineering

Decision Making

Manufacturing Engineering

Project Management

Robotics/Machinery

Technical Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelors in Manufacturing/Mechanical/Industrial

Job description

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

Role Definition

The Manufacturing Project Engineer role is an important function within US Drivetrain Operations for the Integrated Drivetrain Energy Solutions (IDES) division. This critical team member will drive continuous improvement for Safety, Quality, Velocity and Cost effectiveness. The selected candidate will manage projects including introducing new capital and new products into production. Additional responsibilities include leading teams to drive safety improvements in the US Drivetrain organization. While running improvement projects the selected candidate will interface with suppliers, customers, and internal process partners to maximize business results. This position is in the Peoria Area working in Building KK and Building H.

What You Will Do

• Providing technical expertise and guidance in major manufacturing projects, working with internal/external suppliers to support/improve manufacturing productivity and cost effectiveness.
• Implementing capacity and process improvement solutions with a total plant perspective.
• Follow / execute capital process (spec / quote / gain approval / write PO / receive / place equipment / runoff).
• Evaluating supplier proposals for feasibility, driving changes / improvements as needed to deliver the best solution for our needs.
• Managing supplier execution and delivery.
• Providing guidance to manufacturing engineers and operators in order to develop high quality products and processes.

Degree Requirement

• Bachelor’s degree (Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial concentration) or equivalent experience desired.

What You Must Have (skills)

• Capacity Planning & Management - MFG: Knowledge of tools, approaches and practices for determining production demand and ability to manage resources needed to provide satisfactory levels of service.
• Computer-Aided Design & Engineering: Knowledge of tools and techniques of specialized graphics programs; ability to produce, analyze, simulate and test product design drafts.
• 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.
• Engineering - Manufacturing: Knowledge of processes, techniques and methods of engineering in a manufacturing environment; ability to design and implement materials, structures, machines, devices, systems and processes that safely realize a desired objective or invention.
• Project Management: Knowledge of 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.
• Robotics/Computer Controlled Machinery: Knowledge of robotics technologies and computer-controlled machinery; ability to implement and operate robotics and computer-controlled machinery in an automated manufacturing environment.
• Technical Troubleshooting: Knowledge of technical troubleshooting approaches, tools, and techniques; ability to anticipate, recognize, and resolve technical issues on hardware, software, application, or operation.

Additional Information

• This posting will close on 10/20/2026 at 11:59 p.m.
• The location for this position is East Peoria, IL (Building KK) and requires the employee to work a 5-day-a-week schedule onsite.
• Relocation assistance is NOT available for this position.
• Sponsorship is NOT available.
• This position may require less than 10% travel.

Final details

Please frequently check the email associated with your application, including the junk/spam folder, as this is the primary correspondence method. If you wish to know the status of your application – please use the candidate log-in on our career website as it will reflect any updates to your status.

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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

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

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates

October 13, 2026 - October 20, 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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