Senior Supplier Development Engineer

Caterpillar; Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 128,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) plans

HSA

Job summary

Caterpillar is seeking a Supplier Development Engineer in Lafayette, IN, to ensure incoming materials meet quality standards and to lead supplier improvement initiatives. You will assess supplier capabilities, perform audits, and drive quality controls across the supply base.

Responsibilities include developing inspection and testing mechanisms, generating supplier quality reports, and guiding vendors to reduce defect rates while collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Assess supplier quality and ensure products meet manufacturing specs.
• Conduct supplier quality control audits to ensure compliance with standards.
• Develop supplier inspection, testing, and evaluation mechanisms.
• Support suppliers in improving performance through process controls and QA plans.
• This position may require travel up to 30%.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the quality of supplies by testing incoming materials and identifying quality issues.
• Generate reports on supplier quality and defect rates, guiding improvements.
• Research potential vendors and assess their manufacturing environments.
• Lead supplier development efforts to improve performance and reliability.

Skills

Supplier development

Quality assurance

Audits

Process improvement

Tools

ASQ Certification

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.

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.

About LPSD

The Large Power Systems Division (LPSD) is part of Caterpillar’s Power & Energy segment. Through this global organization, Caterpillar designs and manufacture 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.

Job Summary

We are seeking a Supplier Development Engineer. This person will assess supplier quality and ensure that all the products are free from defects and are in compliance with manufacturing specifications and legal standards.

What you will do:

• Ensuring the quality of supplies by conducting tests and assessments on incoming supplies to identify any quality issues; Developing supplier inspection, testing, and evaluation mechanism.


• Generating reports on supplier quality, by monitoring their defect rates and areas that can lead to potential flaws; Guiding suppliers to reduce these defect rates.


• Researching the potential vendors, assessing their manufacturing environment, practices, and procedures; Conducting supplier quality control audits to ensure compliance with organizational and federal policies and standards.


• Supporting suppliers in improving their performance through process enhancements, implementing process controls, and developing quality assurance plans.

What you will have:

Effective Communications:

Level Extensive Experience:

• 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.

Problem Solving:

Level Extensive Experience:

• Ensures capture of lessons to be learned from a problem-solving effort.


• Organizes potential problem solvers and leads problem resolution efforts.


• Uses varying problem-solving approaches and techniques as appropriate.


• Contributes to standard practices for problem-solving approaches, tools, and processes.


• Analyzes and synthesizes information and devises alternative resolution strategies.


• Develops successful resolutions to critical or wide-impact problems.

Process Improvement:

Level Extensive Experience:

• Streamlines the critical workflow for executing key processes.


• Sets priorities for addressing process problems that limit performance.


• Develops methods for improving and establishing controls for critical processes.


• Monitors external sources for applicable new methods and controls.


• Analyzes findings from improvement cycles to ensure success of interventions.


• Coaches others to develop the skills to improve processes.

Manufacturing Standards, Procedures and Policies:

Level Extensive Experience:

• Ensures communication vehicles are effectively informing affected areas and personnel.


• Consults on development and implementation of cross-functional standards.


• Participates in the development of organizational policies and practices.


• Develops and uses control and monitoring mechanisms for adherence.


• Collaborates with other functions on establishing and documenting joint standards.


• Participates in defining architectural principles and standards for organization.

Supplier Management - MFG:

Level Extensive Experience:

• Facilitates supplier partnering arrangements that share risk and reward.


• Monitors supplier performance; works to resolve discrepancies between performance and agreements.


• Develops quality standards and controls for suppliers.


• Builds and maintains partnerships with multiple and/or large suppliers.


• Evaluates issues and terminates supplier relationships as appropriate; works with legal departments.


• Ensures the fulfillment of report and record-keeping requirements.

Supplier Evaluations and Certification:

Level Expert:

• Leads discussions on the case studies of effective and ineffective processes and what can be learned from each.


• Designs systematic protocols and procedures for supplier evaluations & certification in the organization.


• Establishes organizational standards, metrics and best practices for supplier evaluations & certification in the organization.


• Advocates the development of new technologies and tools for supplier evaluations and certification.


• Creates a system to document the performance and quality of existing suppliers and products.


• Predicts the future trends of supplier evaluations & certification.

Top Candidates May Have:

• Prior Supplier Development Experience


• Manufacturing Experience – Experience running machinery, evaluating machinery, setting up machinery, troubleshooting machinery, etc.


• ASQ Certification

Additional Information:

• This position may require travel up to 30%

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:

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 25, 2026 - October 8, 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.