Quality Engineer

Caterpillar Inc.; Sanford (NC); On-site; USD 89,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) savings plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Sanford, NC is seeking a Quality Engineer to support the Quality Management System across fabrication processes and customer-impacting issues. The role focuses on defect prevention, measurement systems, and continuous improvement within Fabrications.

The successful candidate will perform investigations, analyze quality data, and lead cross-functional teams to resolve problems and prevent recurrence, while aligning with BIQ objectives and audit readiness.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Quality Management System functions and capabilities; design, implement and maintain QMS to meet customer requirements and regulatory compliances.
• Ability to recognize, anticipate, and resolve organizational or process problems using appropriate problem-solving approaches.

Responsibilities

• Lead investigations into fabrication quality concerns, recurring defects, customer feedback, and internal escapes; drive RCCA and verify corrective action effectiveness.
• Monitor fabrication processes and products for compliance with engineering requirements, control plans, welding standards, inspection strategies, and quality specifications.
• Define, maintain, and improve quality standards, acceptance criteria, control methods, and inspection methodologies for fabricated components.
• Own and support BIQ deployment, quality gate strategy, defect detection methods, and defect prevention systems that reduce escapes, scrap, and rework.
• Support Power App, PinPoint, digital inspection, and data collection tools to improve defect documentation, traceability, and leadership visibility.
• Develop and execute metrology strategy for CMM, Romer, fixtures, hand gauges, calibration systems, and MSA/Gage R&R studies to ensure measurement capability and compliance.
• Partner with Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Welding, and Quality leadership to resolve issues, improve process capability, and sustain audit-ready quality systems.

Skills

QMS knowledge

Problem solving

Decision making

Collaboration

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

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.

Caterpillar is seeking a Quality Engineer in Sanford, NC. In this role, you will support the Quality Management System within Fabrications by providing quality engineering expertise across fabricated products, manufacturing processes, and customer-impacting issues. The Fabrications Quality Engineer is responsible for ensuring fabricated products and manufacturing processes meet Caterpillar quality requirements, customer expectations, regulatory standards, and Built-In Quality (BIQ) objectives.

This role focuses on defect prevention, process capability, measurement systems, root cause analysis, welding quality governance, BIQ deployment, Value Stream Certification (VSC) metrics, digital defect reporting systems, and continuous improvement across fabrication operations. The position will conduct investigations, analyze quality and process data, and facilitate cross-functional teams to resolve quality problems and prevent recurrence.

What You Can Look Forward To In This Role

• Monitor fabrication processes and products for compliance with engineering requirements, control plans, welding standards, inspection strategies, and quality specifications.
• Analyze OQL, PPM, DPU, scrap, rework, escapes, process capability, and BIQ performance indicators to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Lead investigations into fabrication quality concerns, recurring defects, customer feedback, and internal escapes; drive RCCA and verify corrective action effectiveness.
• Define, maintain, and improve quality standards, acceptance criteria, control methods, and inspection methodologies for fabricated components.
• Own and support BIQ deployment, quality gate strategy, defect detection methods, and defect prevention systems that reduce escapes, scrap, and rework.
• Support Power App, PinPoint, digital inspection, and data collection tools to improve defect documentation, traceability, and leadership visibility.
• Develop and execute metrology strategy for CMM, Romer, fixtures, hand gages, calibration systems, and MSA/Gage R&R studies to ensure measurement capability and compliance.
• Partner with Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Welding, and Quality leadership to resolve issues, improve process capability, and sustain audit-ready quality systems.

A successful candidate in this role will showcase their skills in:

• Quality Management System (QMS): Knowledge of Quality Management System's (QMS) functions, features, and capabilities; ability to design, implement, test, and maintain Quality Management Systems to consistently meet customer requirements and regulatory compliances.
• Problem Solving: Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations.
• 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.
• Collaborating: Knowledge of collaborative techniques; ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner.

Top Candidates For This Position May Also Have

• Minimum three years of experience and requires a thorough knowledge of quality concepts including process control, analysis, Caterpillar internal certification principles, and ISO9000 etc.
• Requires strong communication, cooperation and influence skills to work with all levels of employees and customers, especially with leadership management employees.
• Requires quality tools knowledge and to be able to teach manufacturing/office employees how to properly apply quality tools or techniques.
• Advanced computer applications, good oral and written communications skills are a must.

Additional Information

The primary location for this position is Sanford, NC.

Domestic relocation assistance is not available

Sponsorship is not available

Summary Pay Range

$89,210.00 - $133,810.00

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

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates

August 18, 2026 - September 1, 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.