Metallurgical Engineer

Caterpillar Inc.; Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 98,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Metallurgical Engineer in the Quality Department to improve contamination control and factory processes. You will audit, train, drive process improvements, and develop engineering solutions to enhance product reliability.

The Metallurgical Shop Response team will handle root-cause investigations and support engine test cells and assembly questions. You will collaborate with facility partners, packaging engineering, manufacturing engineering, product groups, global

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering/Materials Science OR relevant work experience.
• Analytical Thinking: Root-cause analysis and problem solving in manufacturing.
• Technical Excellence: Knowledge of engineering in a manufacturing environment and applicable methods.
• DFM: Design for manufacturability concepts to optimize products and processes.

Responsibilities

• Perform contamination control audits and report findings.
• Collaborate with process owners to drive contamination control improvements.
• Collaborate with packaging engineering and suppliers to reduce contamination risks.
• Perform failure analysis of engine components and systems.
• Disposition components for metallurgical conformance.
• Evaluate new products, processes, or systems.
• Communicate results to customers, suppliers, team members, and other business units.

Skills

Analytical Thinking

Effective Communications

Technical Excellence

Team Management

Design for Manufacturability

Engineering - MFG

Product Testing

Troubleshooting Technical Problems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering/Materials Science OR relevant work experience

Job description

Job Description

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

Engineering

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.

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.

About LPSD

The Large Power Systems Division (LPSD) is part of Caterpillar’s Power & Energy segment. Through this global organization, Caterpillar designs and manufactures large (greater than 18 liters) diesel and natural gas engines, powertrains and key engine systems. LPSD products and solutions support customers across power generation, industrial, marine, oil & gas, rail, services and Cat machine applications worldwide.

Job Summary

As a Metallurgical Engineer in the Quality Department, you will have the opportunity to contribute to improving factory processes through auditing, employee training, drive process improvements and developing engineering solutions that will improve our product and reliability around contamination control. This position will become a subject matter expert on engine systems and their relative sensitivity to contamination. This position will facilitate discussions with peer groups on observations made during auditing, to drive sustainable change, as well as train others on best practices. This position will be part of the Metallurgical Shop Response team, who conduct root cause investigations on engine test cell issues, assembly related questions, as well as machine shop related process support. You will partner with and provide technical guidance to facility partners, packaging engineering, manufacturing engineering, product groups, global purchasing representatives, and suppliers. You will collaborate with sister facilities, supporting engine special cleanliness projects and activities. You will be trained on the tools to identify debris type and characterization.

What You Will Do

• Perform contamination control audits and report findings to small business teams.
• Collaborate with process owners to drive sustainable contamination control improvements.
• Collaborate with packaging engineering and suppliers to reduce contamination risks
• Perform failure analysis of engine components and systems
• Disposition components for metallurgical conformance
• Evaluate new products, processes, or systems
• Communicate results to customers, suppliers, team members, and other business units

Education

Bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering/Materials Science OR relevant work experience

What You Will Have

• Analytical Thinking: Working Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.
• Effective Communications: Working Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
• Technical Excellence: Working Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.
• Team Management: Basic Knowledge of effective team building techniques; ability to form and manage effective teams.
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Working Knowledge of design for manufacturability guidelines, methodologies, and use cases; ability to use this knowledge to optimize product designs and manufacturing operations.
• Engineering - MFG: Working 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.
• Product Testing: Working Knowledge of product testing approaches, techniques and tools; ability to design, plan and execute testing strategies and tactics to ensure product quality at all stages of manufacturing.
• Troubleshooting Technical Problems: Working Knowledge of troubleshooting approaches, tools and techniques; ability to anticipate, detect and resolve technical problems in a manufacturing environment

What Will Put You Ahead

• Previous experience in contamination control process improvement activities
• Previous experience with component failure analysis
• Experience working in a metallurgical lab providing highly technical assessment reports
• Previous experience with engine components
• Well versed in the CAT specifications
• Can exhibit print reading capability
• Great team player, works well with others
• Works well under pressure, good at prioritizing
• Has a sense of urgency in the completion of analysis requests
• Willing to make discretionary efforts to support customers
• Strong analytical skills
• Emphasis on initiative and self-starting tasks
• Good customer interface skills
• Good technical writing and communication skills

Additional Information

• This position may require less than 10% travel.

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 28, 2026 - September 10, 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.