Senior Supplier Development Engineer

Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation; Clayton (NC); On-site; USD 128,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

Paid time off

401(k)

HSA

FSAs

Career development

Incentive bonus

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Senior Supplier Development Engineer based in Clayton, NC.

You will assess supplier quality, ensure compliance with manufacturing specifications and standards, and lead improvement projects across the supply base. In this role you will work with global suppliers and internal teams to develop quality products, conduct audits, and drive corrective actions to reduce defects and improve supplier performance.

Qualifications

• Effective communications and collaboration with suppliers and internal partners
• Continuous improvement mindset for production quality and processes
• Knowledge of PPAP elements and quality standards
• Understanding of manufacturing standards, procedures, and policies
• Experience managing supplier relationships and performance
• Ability to drive root cause analysis and corrective actions

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with suppliers and internal teams to develop quality products for production and service.
• Build long-term relationships with suppliers through close collaboration.
• Monitor and recover supplier warranty and drive issue resolution in the field.
• Conduct supplier quality audits and assessments to ensure compliance with standards.
• Lead improvement projects for quality and supply development.
• Develop supplier inspection, testing, and evaluation mechanisms.
• Generate reports on supplier quality and guide defect reduction efforts.
• Research potential vendors and assess their manufacturing environment and practices.
• Support suppliers in implementing process controls and quality assurance plans.

Skills

Effective Communications

Process Improvement

Quality Orientation

PPAP

Manufacturing Standards

Supplier Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Job description

Career Area:

Procurement

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’s BCP division is hiring for Senior Supplier Development Engineer in CMDC!

Role Summary:

In this role you will assess the supplier quality and ensure that all the products are free from defects and are in compliance with manufacturing specifications and legal standards.

What You’ll Do (Job Duties)

• Closely work with suppliers and internal partners on developing quality products to be used in production and service
• Build long lasting relationships with suppliers and internal partners through close and open collaboration
• Monitor & recover supplier warranty
• Work with product groups and suppliers to resolve issues in the field
• Perform audits of suppliers both existing and new
• Work with BCP plants on root cause and corrective actions for production issues related to supplier’s product
• Ensure the quality of supplies by conducting tests and assessments on incoming supplies to identify any quality issues; Developing supplier inspection, testing, and evaluation mechanism.
• Generate reports on supplier quality by monitoring their defect rates and areas that can lead to potential flaws; Guiding suppliers to reduce these defect rates.
• Research potential vendors, assessing their manufacturing environment, practices, and procedures; Conducting supplier quality control audits to ensure compliance with organizational and federal policies and standards.
• Support suppliers in improving their performance through process enhancements, implementing process controls, and developing quality assurance plans.
• Lead improvement projects for quality and supply development.
  

What You Have (Core Skills)

• 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.
• Process Improvement: Understanding and insight into evaluating current product quality and production methods and ability to maintains focus on the continuous improvement of processes, products and services.
• Quality Orientation: Knowledge of quality management methods, tools, and techniques; ability to create and support an environment that meets the quality goals of the organization.
• Production Part Approval Process (PPAP): Knowledge of Production Part Approval Processes (PPAP) elements, submissions, and objectives; ability to determine whether a supplier can manufacture products that meet the quality requirements and standards of their customers consistently.
• Manufacturing Standards, Procedures and Policies: Knowledge of organizational standards, procedures and policies in manufacturing activities; ability to plan, guide, and monitor manufacturing processes for compliance.
• Supplier Management - MFG: Knowledge of processes and methods to effectively manage business relationships and transactions with suppliers of raw materials or product components; ability to apply related knowledge, experience and skills into real practice.

Top Candidates Will Also Have

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related fields.
• Exposure to working with global facilities in China, Japan, Brazil, India and UK
• Solid experience in working with suppliers

Additional Details

• Work location: Clayton, NC
• Domestic relocation assistance IS NOT available for this role.
• Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this role.
• Travel: 25% domestic and international
• This position requires 5 days per week in the office (M-F)

Summary Pay Range:

$128,470.00 - $192,710.00

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:

• 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:

September 21, 2026 - September 25, 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.