Senior Design Engineer

Caterpillar Inc.; Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 113,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

401(k) Plan

HSA

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement

Career Development

Incentive Bonus

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Cylinder Pack Design Engineer in Lafayette, IN. You will own critical cylinder pack components, guiding design, validation, and lifecycle management for diesel and alternative-fuel engines, collaborating globally with experts and suppliers.

You will lead engineering workstreams, manage risks, and ensure performance, durability, manufacturability, and cost objectives across the product lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or materials science.
• Experience with engine testing, calibration, simulation, or controls development.
• Strong background in cylinder pack design is preferred.
• APQP, PPAP and design release experience.

Responsibilities

• Own the cylinder pack design including pistons, rings, and liners through lifecycle.
• Collaborate with suppliers and engine platform teams on design and development.
• Lead analytical simulation work and evaluate results.
• Communicate results to customers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams.
• Lead engineering workstreams and drive design changes.

Skills

Analytical Thinking

Effective Communications

Managing Multiple Priorities

Technical Excellence

CAD & Engineering

Product Design - MFG

Product Design and Development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/CS/Materials

Tools

FMEA

DVP&R

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

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.

Role Summary

As a Cylinder Pack Design Engineer, you will serve as the technical owner for critical engine cylinder pack components and systems, leading their design, development, validation, and design control throughout the product lifecycle. You will be accountable for the technical integrity and performance of cylinder pack products, including pistons, rings, and liners within the Large Power Systems Division. In this role, you will define product requirements, make key engineering decisions, manage technical risks, and ensure designs meet performance, durability, manufacturability, quality, and cost objectives. You will lead the development of cylinder pack components to support diesel, natural gas, and alternative fuel reciprocating engines serving customers around the world.

You will collaborate with a global network of subject matter experts, development engineers, suppliers, manufacturing facilities, and cross-functional stakeholders to deliver products from concept through design, validation, production launch, and ongoing product support. As the responsible engineer, you will drive issue resolution, oversee design changes, and provide technical leadership to ensure successful product execution throughout its lifecycle. You will also lead engineering workstreams and project deliverables, champion innovative technologies, and continuously expand your technical expertise while building strong relationships across Caterpillar's global engineering and manufacturing organizations.

What You Will Do

• Build expertise as the technical owner for PRL cylinder pack components, leveraging knowledge from current subject matter experts while assuming responsibility for the design, development, validation, and lifecycle management of assigned cylinder pack products.
• Engage with suppliers on concurrent product and process design to achieve our performance, quality, production delivery, and financial objectives.
• Work with the engine platform teams to achieve their goals and keep them abreast of progress and developments in NPI, NTI, CPI, and NSI projects.
• Direct and/or conduct analytical simulation work, providing boundary conditions, load inputs, and evaluation of results.
• Apply product development skills - conceptual design, development of products process, data analysis & extraction, failure investigation, and requirements management.
• Execute maintenance activities such as factory and customer problem resolution, cost reduction and robustness improvement projects.
• Communicate results to customers, suppliers, team members, and other business units.
• Function as a critical member of a project team including cross-functional roles in purchasing and operations.
• Gather input from a broad team to formulate decisions and develop the output for the project. Key areas of responsibility are: plan and manage the job/project; manage the business/financial aspects of the job or project; provide a supportive work environment for the team; mentor, coach, and develop others; and manage one’s own development.
• Direct and/or conduct analytical simulation work, providing boundary conditions, load inputs, and evaluation of results.

Education And Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in an accredited Engineering, Computer Science, or Materials Science curriculum
• Experience with engine testing, calibration, simulation, or controls development

Skills You Will Have

• Analytical Thinking: Extensive 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: Extensive 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.
• Managing Multiple Priorities: Extensive 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.
• Technical Excellence: Extensive knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.
• Computer-Aided Design & Engineering: Extensive knowledge of tools and techniques of specialized graphics programs; ability to produce, analyze, simulate and test product design drafts.
• Product Design - MFG: Extenive knowledge of processes, approaches, tools and techniques of product design; ability to convert customer and market requirements into product design.
• Product Design and Development: Extensive knowledge of product features; ability to design, build, and develop a new product, technology, or service from concept through to production.

Top Candidates Will Have

• Recognized team player with excellent communication, interpersonal and collaboration skills.
• Strong desire to learn and grow technical skills.
• Cylinder pack, engine components design background
• Materials experience or understanding (fatigue life, tribology, wear, etc.)
• Validation testing definition experience using FMEA and DVP&R methods.
• Engine platform and customer application understanding
• APQP, PPAP and design release experience
• Strong communication skills – Oral and written coming together to develop and deliver technical presentations.
• Technical knowledge - experience with engine testing, calibration, simulation, or controls development
• Engine system or component design and design for manufacturing experience
• Self-starter with strong technical leadership skills
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret structural, dynamic, and metallurgical analysis.

Additional Information

• This position is located in Lafayette, IN.
• Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Summary Pay Range

$112,710.00 - $169,060.00

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.

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

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

September 21, 2026 - September 28, 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.