Senior Manager Manufacturing Engineering

Caterpillar Inc.; Pontiac (IL); On-site; USD 173,000 - 259,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) plan

Relocation assistance

Paid time off

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Pontiac, IL is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Engineering Leader to oversee end-to-end production processes in a high-volume, high-mix factory.

You will lead a large team of salaried engineers, apply lean principles, drive cost competitiveness, safety and continuous improvement, and partner across functions to deliver reliable, efficient manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree in mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering preferred.
• Requires at least 10 years of experience in high-volume, high-complexity manufacturing functioning in engineering and operations leadership.

Responsibilities

• Managing the planning, documentation, implementation, support and maintenance of manufacturing processes, procedures, machinery and tooling to improve efficiency, cost effectiveness, quality and safety.
• Researching process performance data to identify and implement process changes that improve yield, runtime, quality, safety and cost effectiveness.
• Managing the activities and resources for manufacturing engineers, process design and support personnel.
• Providing on-going support for manufacturing problems and deficiencies; troubleshoots technically challenging production problems.
• Leads the NCI team leadership to ensure a comprehensive asset sustainability and replacement strategy is developed, maintained, and effectively executed.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Project Management

Decision Making

Effective Communications

Collaboration

Continuous Transformation

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:

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.

Oversees the development, support and continued improvement of manufacturing processes and is accountable for end‑to‑end manufacturing engineering leadership within a high‑volume, high‑mix factory. This role leads a large, multidisciplinary team of salaried engineers and staff and ensures that operations are safe, capable, cost‑competitive, and continuously improving through disciplined application of lean manufacturing principles, robust process design, and technical excellence.

Responsibilities

• Managing the planning, documentation, implementation, support and maintenance of manufacturing processes, procedures, machinery and tooling to improve efficiency, cost effectiveness, quality and safety.
• Researching process performance data to identify and implement process changes that improve yield, runtime, quality, safety and cost effectiveness.
• Managing the activities and resources for manufacturing engineers, process design and support personnel.
• Providing on-going support for manufacturing problems and deficiencies; troubleshoots technically challenging production problems.
• Leads the NCI team leadership to ensure a comprehensive asset sustainability and replacement strategy is developed, maintained, and effectively executed.

Degree & Experience Requirement

• Engineering Degree – mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering preferred
• Requires at least 10 years of experience in high‑volume, high‑complexity manufacturing functioning in engineering and operations leadership

Skill Descriptors

Collaborating

Knowledge of collaborative techniques; ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner.

Level Extensive Knowledge:

• Demonstrates experience engendering collaborative processes that lead to problem solving and the achievement of business goals.
• Establishes shared goals to foster collaboration.
• Ensures that everyone can access the same data and provide input into how business is conducted.
• Redesigns physical areas to allow for collaboration and private time.
• Deemphasizes divides; focuses on collaboration across generations, functions, regions, and levels.
• Implements methods for people to come together on the fly to make decisions, solve problems, and develop products/services.

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 Extensive Knowledge:

• Manages the adoption of lean manufacturing principles across the organization.
• Teaches others about how lean approach integrates operations, customers, logistics and product development.
• Consults on work cell design and plan layout in support of lean principles.
• Consults on the use of lean approaches across multiple functions.
• Trains others on key lean measurements and tools and techniques for measuring performance.
• Participates in detailed planning for implementing and monitoring lean manufacturing.

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 Extensive Knowledge:

• Differentiates assumptions, perspectives, and historical frameworks.
• Evaluates past decisions for insights to improve decision-making process.
• Assess(es) and validates decision options and points and predicts their potential impact.
• Advises others in analyzing and synthesizing relevant data and assessing alternatives.
• Uses effective decision-making approaches such as consultative, command, or consensus.
• Ensures that assumptions and received wisdom are objectively analyzed in decisions.

Continuous Transformation

Knowledge of evolving the business to remain competitive; ability to understand, adapt oneself to, respond to and proactively seek changes and innovation in the business environment to improve the competitive advantage of an organization.

Level Extensive Knowledge:

• Anticipates the impact of change in markets, politics and culture on the organization and its clients.
• Generates new ideas, approaches and solutions in response to changing demands or environment.
• Integrates emerging industry best practices into current working processes.
• Leads the team to deal with, respond to and actively seek changes and innovative opportunities.
• Builds an environment of openness to new ideas and approaches.
• Develops KPIs and training materials to assess, build and nurture continuous business transformation.

Effective Communications

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.

Level Extensive Knowledge:

• Reviews others' writing or presentations and provides feedback and coaching.
• Adapts documents and presentations for the intended audience.
• Demonstrates both empathy and assertiveness when communicating a need or defending a position.
• Communicates well downward, upward, and outward.
• Employs appropriate methods of persuasion when soliciting agreement.
• Maintains focus on the topic at hand.

Project Management

Knowledge of effective project management strategies and tactics; ability to plan, organize, monitor and control projects, ensuring efficient utilization of technical and administrative resources to achieve project objectives.

Level Extensive Knowledge:

• Utilizes preferred tools, techniques and methods for estimating project cost and time.
• Plans, estimates, staffs, organizes and monitors significant projects.
• Identifies risks and vulnerabilities; creates contingency plans.
• Conducts regular and ad-hoc project reviews with project team, sponsors and clients.
• Maintains open communication among project participants and interested parties.
• Communicates reporting requirements; creates monitoring and control mechanisms

Top Candidates Will Also Have:

• Demonstrated achievement and experience in high‑volume, high‑complexity manufacturing functioning in engineering and operations leadership; preferably as a leader of leaders
• High volume machining operations leadership
• Experiences executing large capital projects that contributed to process improvement in the manufacturing/machining operation

What You Will Get:

• A commitment to diversity and inclusion. Our common values and focus on inclusion and respect drive the decisions made by our company, teams, and people. Here, you can apply your unique life and job experiences, and work in a team environment where your ideas are heard, your contributions are celebrated, and your whole-self matters.
• You earn more than just a salary because we value your performance. We offer a total rewards package that provides benefits on day one (medical, dental, vision, RX, and 401K) along with the potential of an annual bonus.
• Additional benefits include paid vacation days and paid holidays (prorated based upon hire date)

Additional Information:

Travel requirements will be

• This position is located in Pontiac, IL
• Domestic relocation is Available
• VISA Sponsorship is NOT available

Summary Pay Range:

$172,630.00 - $258,950.00

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:

August 17, 2026 - August 24, 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.

Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.