Sr.R&D Engineer (MWL Sound)

Caterpillar; Peoria (IL); On-site; USD 113,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) savings plans

Tuition Reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Sr. R&D Engineer to lead MWL sound and NVH initiatives in Peoria, IL.

You will partner with machine, engine, drivetrain, hydraulics, cooling, structural, controls, and cab teams to achieve sound performance objectives and guide design decisions across the product lifecycle. Ideal candidates will have deep experience in acoustics, vibration, and machine performance engineering, plus a track record of leading technical projects and mentoring others.

Qualifications

• Analytical thinking and problem solving to identify root causes and craft solutions.
• Effective communication across cross-functional teams to share findings and decisions.
• Ability to troubleshoot technical problems in a manufacturing or product development environment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as MWL technical lead for machine sound and NVH performance.
• Develop and maintain Sound/NVH MGPP targets for MWL platforms.
• Provide technical direction for sound-related design decisions across machine systems.
• Maintain an ongoing sound monitoring process at production sites.
• Ensure proper sound certification for new products and renewals.
• Lead root cause investigations for sound and vibration issues during development, validation, and field operations.
• Support technical reviews and recommendations to engineering leadership.
• Represent MWL in Caterpillar's global Sound Community.
• Collaborate on sound and NVH requirements throughout the product lifecycle.
• Partner with across teams to achieve sound performance objectives.
• Evaluate design alternatives balancing performance, cost, durability, and manufacturability.
• Participate in NPI programs and major machine development initiatives.
• Develop and execute sound and NVH test plans with partner teams.
• Determine annual budget needs for MWL sound development and validation.

Skills

Analytical Thinking

Effective Communications

Troubleshooting Tech Problems

Project Management

Product Testing

Tools

Data Acquisition Systems

Sound Measurement Equipment

Job description

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.

Caterpillar’s Earthmoving division is hiring Sr. R&D Engineer in Peoria, IL!

What You’ll Do (Job Duties)

Technical Leadership

• Serve as the MWL technical lead for machine sound and NVH performance.
• Develop and maintain the Sound/NVH MGPP for MWL, including sound performance targets for current and future MWL platforms.
• Provide technical direction for sound-related design decisions across machine systems and components.
• Maintain an ongoing sound monitoring process at the production sites.
• Ensure proper sound certification is achieved for all new products and ongoing renewals.
• Lead root cause investigations and resolution of sound and vibration issues identified during development, validation, production, and field operation.
• Support technical reviews and provide recommendations to engineering leadership.
• Represent MWL in the global Caterpillar Sound Community.

Product Development

• Support sound and NVH requirements throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Partner with machine, engine, drivetrain, hydraulics, cooling, structural, controls, and cab teams to achieve sound performance objectives.
• Evaluate design alternatives and recommend solutions balancing performance, cost, durability, manufacturability, and customer value.
• Participate in NPI programs and major machine development initiatives.

Testing and Validation

• Collaborate with partner teams (ex. ICD Global Sound & Cooling) to develop and execute sound and NVH test plans.
• Work with partner teams to determine annual budget needs to support MWL sound development and validation work.
• Analyze test and simulation data, communicate findings, and make recommendations to stakeholders.
• Lead troubleshooting activities related to machine sound concerns.
• Support validation planning and sign-off activities for new products and major product updates.
• Assist in development of sound measurement procedures, standards, and best practices.

Customer and Product Support

• Support investigation and resolution of customer sound-related concerns.
• Collaborate with Product Support, GCI, and field teams on high-impact issues.
• Participate in customer visits and product evaluations as required.
• Utilize customer feedback to identify future improvement opportunities.

What You Have (Core Skills)

• Analytical Thinking: 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: 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.
• Troubleshooting Technical Problems: Knowledge of troubleshooting approaches, tools and techniques; ability to anticipate, detect and resolve technical problems in a manufacturing or product development environment.
• 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.
• Product Testing: Knowledge of product testing approaches, techniques and tools; ability to design, plan and execute testing strategies and tactics to ensure product quality at all stages of manufacturing.

Top Candidates Will Also Have

• Experience in sound, vibration, acoustics, structural dynamics, or machine performance engineering.
• Experience with data acquisition systems and sound measurement equipment.
• Experience supporting off-highway equipment development.
• Knowledge of regulatory and customer sound requirements.
• Experience leading technical projects or mentoring engineers.

Additional Details

• Work location: Peoria, IL
• Domestic relocation assistance IS available for this role
• Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this role.
• Travel: 10%
• This position requires 5 days per week in the office (M-F)

* 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.

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:

• 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

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.

Posting Dates

September 28, 2026 - October 12, 2026