Quality Engineer (Early Talent)
Caterpillar Inc.
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Job summary
Caterpillar Inc. in Lafayette, IN is seeking a Quality Engineer for an early-career opportunity within the Large Power Systems Division. You will help maintain and improve the Quality Management System and support production and engineering teams to achieve top quality.
In this role you will implement QA strategies, drive corrective and preventive actions, analyze trends, and communicate findings to stakeholders, using BIQ tools to enable data-driven improvements.
Qualifications
- Early talent position requiring recent university graduation (within 2 years or by Dec 2026).
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Understanding of QA principles and Quality Management Systems (QMS).
- Ability to apply lean manufacturing concepts.
Responsibilities
- Implementing quality assurance strategies, processes, guidelines and control plans which assure quality and reliability of manufactured products.
- Leading the development and implementation of corrective action and preventive measures to achieve quality targets.
- Addressing trends with internal and external non-conformance.
- Managing teams of quality engineers and inspectors to assure that quality standards are met.
- Reviewing reports and conferring with quality assurance, production, management, and engineering personnel to solve quality issues.
- Identify recurring quality issues and drive systemic improvements, using BIQ problem solving tools where applicable.
- Reporting the BIQ project status to multiple stakeholders
Skills
Education
Tools
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.
Manufacturing
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.
LPSD teams work across regions and functions to deliver safe, reliable and compliant solutions that help solve our customers’ toughest challenges
The Quality Engineer oversees the administration and continual improvement of quality management systems.
- Implementing quality assurance strategies, processes, guidelines and control plans which assure quality and reliability of manufactured products.
- Leading the development and implementation of corrective action and preventive measures to achieve quality targets.
- Addressing trends with internal and external non-conformance.
- Managing multiple teams, team leaders, quality specialists and inspectors to assure that quality standards are met.
- Reviewing reports and conferring with quality assurance, production, management, and engineering personnel to solve quality issues.
- Identify recurring quality issues and drive systemic improvements, using statistical analysis/BIQ problem solving tools where applicable.
- Reporting the BIQ project status to multiple stakeholders
This position is an early talent position. Candidates must have graduated from an accredited university within the last TWO years or a future graduation by Dec. 2026
Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision.
- 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.
Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
- Explains characteristics and steps in an effective decision-making process.
- Identifies issues and communicates with others when a decision needs to be made.
- Names decision makers in own environment and cites examples of past decisions.
- Describes types of decisions incumbent may and may not make in own job or function.
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.
- Describes non-verbal behaviors that influence the interpretation of the message.
- Cites examples of effective and ineffective communications.
- Explains the importance of effective business communication.
- Speaks/writes using correct language, mechanics, and gestures.
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.
- 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.
Knowledge of successful performance management techniques; ability to apply organization’s performance management system, practices, and tools to developing and improving individual, team, and organization performance.
- Demonstrates an understanding to performance management concepts.
- Describes the organization’s performance management process.
- Explains organization’s core performance factors and ratings.
- Participates in own performance review or performance checkpoint session.
Knowledge of the process of planning and arranging tasks and resources; ability to plan and organize both time and resources to get things completed while structuring and maintaining work in a systematic and highly methodical way.
- Seeks help to modify priorities as new information surfaces or conditions change.
- Demonstrates the ability to estimate the time and resources required to complete tasks.
- Identifies own key assignments, schedules, and process steps.
- Applies the concept of 'critical path' in order to complete work in a timely manner and keep larger tasks on track.
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.
- Identifies and documents specific problems and resolution alternatives.
- Examines a specific problem and understands the perspective of each involved stakeholder.
- Develops alternative techniques for assessing accuracy and relevance of information.
- Helps to analyze risks and benefits of alternative approaches and obtain decision on resolution.
- Uses fact-finding techniques and diagnostic tools to identify problems.
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.
- Explains the main features, functions, and capabilities of QMS.
- Lists the major market players/vendors of QMS.
- Outlines the benefits of using automated and manual QMS.
- Understands the role of QMS in implementing a formalized system for documenting manufacturing processes and procedures to meet customer requirements and regulatory compliances.
- Leadership experience (work groups, projects, clubs or other groups)
- Experience with problem-solving methodologies (i.e., 5-Whys/Fishbone Analysis, Ishikawa, 8D)
$81,370.00 - $122,060.00
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.
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
August 19, 2026 - August 27, 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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