MANUFACTURING PROJECT ENGINEER

Caterpillar; Ina (IL); On-site; USD 128,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision

PTO

401k

HSA

FSAs

Wellness programs

EAP

Career development

Bonus

Disability benefits

Life insurance

Parental leave

Adoption benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Caterpillar's US Drivetrain team in East Peoria, IL, is seeking a Manufacturing Project Engineer to sustain the Advanced Planning Team and drive critical manufacturing initiatives across the footprint. You will provide technical leadership to improve productivity, reduce cost, and strengthen readiness for future automation.

You will convert operational needs into sustainable manufacturing solutions by improving asset utilization, supporting line integration, and enabling more efficient resource

Qualifications

• Capacity planning and management to determine production demand and resources.
• CAD and engineering: produce, analyze, simulate, and test design drafts.
• Decision making and critical thinking to analyze situations and make informed choices.
• Engineering - Manufacturing: design and implement manufacturing processes and systems.
• Project management: plan, organize, monitor, and control projects for objective delivery.
• Robotics/Computer controlled machinery: operate robotics in automated environments.
• Technical troubleshooting: anticipate, recognize, and resolve issues across hardware, software, or operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead major manufacturing project planning and execution, including analysis, process mapping, requirements definition and implementation support.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Operations, Logistics, Supply Chain, Product Change Control and Safety to execute footprint and material flow improvements.
• Identify improvements across design, assembly processes, facility layouts and material flow to increase capability and efficiency.
• Support throughput, utilization, safety and quality improvements with manufacturing engineers and operations teams.
• Develop cost justifications for line integrations, capital projects and new assembly equipment.
• Create assembly footprint strategies that optimize capacity, product compatibility, line merge opportunities and automation readiness.

Skills

Capacity planning

CAD & Engineering

Decision making

Engineering - Manufacturing

Project Management

Robotics

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor’s degree (Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial concentration)

Job description

Career Area:

Manufacturing

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.

Hear about the Caterpillar Experience for yourself.

Role Definition

The US Drivetrain organization requires dedicated Manufacturing Project Engineer support to sustain the Advanced Planning Team and execute critical manufacturing initiatives across the East Peoria assembly footprint. This Manufacturing Project Engineer role will provide focused technical leadership for projects that improve productivity, reduce cost, optimize floor space and strengthen readiness for future automation.

This position will help convert operational needs into sustainable manufacturing solutions by improving asset utilization, supporting line integration opportunities and enabling more efficient use of resources. Maintaining this capability is essential to deliver assembly improvements while protecting safety, quality and operational continuity.

What you will do

• Lead major manufacturing project planning and execution, including analysis, process mapping, requirements definition and implementation support.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Operations, Logistics, Supply Chain, Product Change Control and Safety to execute footprint and material flow improvements.
• Identify improvements across product design, assembly processes, facility layouts and material flow to increase capability and efficiency.
• Support throughput, utilization, safety and quality improvements with manufacturing engineers and operations teams.
• Develop cost justifications for line integrations, capital projects and new assembly equipment.
• Create assembly footprint strategies that optimize capacity, product compatibility, line merge opportunities and automation readiness.

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 position will close at 11:59 p.m. on 08/7/2026.
• This position will be located onsite 5 days a week in East Peoria, IL (Building KK).
• Domestic relocation is Available
• VISA Sponsorship is NOT Available
• Travel requirements will be less than 10%

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.

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

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:

July 28, 2026 - August 7, 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.

Locations

EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA