Supplier Development Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a procurement professional to lead Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and drive process controls across the Worktools supply base. You will develop new and existing suppliers worldwide, ensuring defects are minimized and manufacturing standards are met.

The role emphasizes supplier audits, QA plans, and continuous improvement, with 25% travel and five days on-site in NC. A Lean Six Sigma background and strong negotiation skills are valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in engineering.
• Understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing; understanding of QCLDM/TCO.
• Engineering or manufacturing background with familiarity with Caterpillar-type product manufacturing processes.
• Experience in lean six sigma practices to assess supply base performance and drive improvements.
• Strong Negotiator, able to interpret, analyze and negotiate contractual cost elements.
• Good interpersonal communication, analytical, leadership and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Work with suppliers to ensure robust process controls are in place to prevent nonconformities/defects.
• Monitor supplier’s key manufacturing processes, capacity, and quality management systems.
• Lead or support APQP activities for new product development programs.
• Ensure supplier’s quality by conducting audits and assessments on incoming parts to identify any quality issues; develop supplier inspection plans, testing, and evaluation mechanisms.
• Research potential suppliers, assess their manufacturing environment, practices, and procedures; Conduct 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.
• Generating reports on supplier quality, by monitoring their defect rates and areas that can lead to potential flaws; Guide suppliers to reduce defect rates.

Skills

Relationships

Effective Communications

Problem Solving

Process Improvement

Quality Orientation

Supplier Management - MFG

Education

Bachelor’s degree (engineering preferred)

Tools

Statistical tools

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

Procurement

Role Summary

In this role you will provide technical expertise and leadership to the Worktools supply base in the execution of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), the implementation of process controls, the development of continuous quality improvement processes and procurement projects, and to develop new and existing suppliers worldwide to ensure all products are free from defects and are in compliance with manufacturing specifications and legal standards and meet our supplier performance requirements.

Job Duties

• Work with suppliers to ensure robust process controls are in place to prevent nonconformities/defects.
• Monitor supplier’s key manufacturing processes, capacity, and quality management systems.
• Lead or support APQP activities for new product devolvement programs.
• Ensure supplier’s quality by conducting audits and assessments on incoming parts to identify any quality issues; develop supplier inspection plans, testing, and evaluation mechanisms.
• Research potential suppliers, assess their manufacturing environment, practices, and procedures; Conduct 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.
• Generating reports on supplier quality, by monitoring their defect rates and areas that can lead to potential flaws; Guide suppliers to reduce defect rates.

Core Skills

• Relationships: Maintains close working relationships with suppliers and Caterpillar Supplier Quality Engineers, Logistics and Material Planning Groups, Purchasing Groups, Technical Process Stewards, APQP Leader and Design Engineers.
• 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.
• Problem Solving: Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations.
• Process Improvement: Understanding and insight into evaluating current product quality and production methods and ability to maintain 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.
• 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.

Required

• A bachelor’s degree, preferably in engineering.
• Understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing. Understanding of QCLDM/TCO.
• Engineering or manufacturing background plus familiarity with manufacturing processes used to produce components and assemblies for Caterpillar-type Products.
• Experience in lean six sigma practices to fully understand the current performance of the supply base, evaluate strategic options, decide a course of action, and begin implementation.
• Strong Negotiator, able to interpret, analyze and negotiate contractual cost elements.
• Good interpersonal communication, analytical, leadership and project management skills to develop cooperative working relationships with others both inside and outside of Caterpillar.

Highly Desirable

• Quality engineering certification.
• Capable of using and demonstrating statistical and problem-solving tools.
• Understanding of 3rd party registration standards
• Lean Six Sigma Certification.

Additional Details

• Work location: NC-Clayton-Machine Development Center
• Domestic relocation assistance is 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

$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

August 6, 2026 - August 21, 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.