Process Improvement Engineer

Solar Turbines; Wamego (KS); On-site; USD 77,000 - 116,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off

401(k) savings plans

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Career Development

Sign on bonus

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking process improvement professionals to enhance manufacturing efficiency across multiple value streams.

Roles focus on implementing enhancements to equipment and processes, executing SOP-driven tasks, and documenting outcomes. Ideal candidates have engineering degrees with Lean/Six Sigma experience, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to support planning, development, operation, and maintenance of manufacturing systems.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree required.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Strong problem-solving and data analysis skills.
• Ability to document changes and track improvements.
• Knowledge of change control in manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Participating in identifying and implementing enhancements and modifications to equipment and processes.
• Executing manufacturing tasks and processes according to SOPs and accurately documenting data.
• Identifying issues related to manufacturing processes and implementing process improvements.
• Providing engineering support on planning, development, operation, and maintenance of equipment, processes, or facilities.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Process Improvement

Quality Assurance

Critical Thinking

Education

Engineering Degree

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:

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.

We are hiring three process improvement-focused roles across different areas of our business: Ancillary Weld Value Stream, Package Assembly Value Stream, and Project Management in Facilities Engineering. While the assignment differs by role, all three positions share a common objective improving processes that positively impact our people, quality, speed, and cost.

Responsibilities

• Participating in identifying and implementing enhancements and modifications to equipment and processes.
• Executing manufacturing tasks and processes according to defined SOPs and accurately documenting data.
• Identifying issues related to manufacturing processes and implementing process improvements.
• Providing engineering support on planning, development, operation, and maintenance of equipment, processes, or facilities.

Degree Requirement

• Engineering Degree

Preferred Requirement

• Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Degree
• Experience or familiar with Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma methodologies

Skill Descriptors

Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Accurately gauges the impact and cost of errors, omissions, and oversights.
• Utilizes specific approaches and tools for checking and cross-checking outputs.
• Processes limited amounts of detailed information with good accuracy.
• Learns from mistakes and applies lessons learned.
• Develops and uses checklists to ensure that information goes out error-free.

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.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Applies an assigned technique for critical thinking in a decision-making process.
• Identifies, obtains, and organizes relevant data and ideas.
• Participates in documenting data, ideas, players, stakeholders, and processes.
• Recognizes, clarifies, and prioritizes concerns.
• Assists in assessing risks, benefits and consideration of alternatives.

Managing Multiple Priorities:

Knowledge of effective self-management practices; ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments as to prioritizing and time allocation.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Recognizes changing demands and priorities; validates changes with management.
• Obtains information about how current assignments contribute to organizational goals.
• Completes current work according to assigned priorities.
• Responds to day-to-day operational priorities while still making progress on project work.
• Performs at least 2-3 concurrent activities without reducing productivity.

Change Control - MFG:

Knowledge of the processes and procedures by which a change is identified, evaluated, approved, monitored and documented; ability to manage changes in the production environment and processes effectively.

Level Basic Understanding:

• Explains the basic purpose of change control and consequences of lack of control.
• Identifies common changes to manufacturing equipment, technologies and systems.
• Describes the process for introducing any change to a production environment.
• Describes the associated communication requirements, activities and authorization levels.

Lean Manufacturing:

Knowledge of the philosophy, principles and implementation approaches of lean manufacturing; ability to integrate and implement lean manufacturing philosophy into existing production and management processes.

Level Basic Understanding:

• Cites examples of benefits and risks associated with implementing lean principles.
• Describes basic tools for observing existing processes and identifying waste.
• Cites industry or company examples of successful and unsuccessful lean implementations.
• Identifies key lean principles and highlights of the lean manufacturing process.

Manufacturing Equipment:

Knowledge of the electrical, mechanical and logistics equipment used in manufacturing; ability to safely operate, maintain, update and store them.

Level Basic Understanding:

• Describes the roles and responsibilities of equipment vendors and own staff.
• Explains where and how to obtain more equipment-specific information.
• Lists basic aspects of routine and preventive maintenance.
• Identifies uses and features of diverse types of manufacturing equipment.

Manufacturing Processes:

Knowledge of existing product manufacturing methods, technologies and processes; ability to execute, plan, manage and monitor the entire manufacturing process.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Assesses associated phases, activities, deliverables and processes.
• Documents relevant standards, policies and practices.
• Follows standard manufacturing processes to conduct production activities.
• Research new technologies to be integrated into existing manufacturing process.
• Explains tools, techniques and documents used for process monitoring and control.

Troubleshooting Technical Problems:

Knowledge of troubleshooting approaches, tools and techniques; ability to anticipate, detect and resolve technical problems in a manufacturing environment.

Level Basic Understanding:

• Explains where to locate basic help facilities and troubleshooting guides.
• Discusses basic concepts behind a systematic approach to solving technical problems.
• Identifies available resources and support systems for troubleshooting.
• Describes problem identification, reporting and escalation procedures.

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

This Job Description is intended as a general guide to the job duties for this position and is intended for the purpose of establishing the specific salary grade. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive summary of all responsibilities, duties and effort required of employees assigned to this job. At the discretion of management, this description may be changed at any time to address the evolving needs of the organization. It is expressly not intended to be a comprehensive list of “essential job functions” as that term is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Comp Range:

$77,264.00 - $115,896.00

Compensation and benefits 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
• Sign on bonus

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates:

August 20, 2026 - August 26, 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.