Supplier Development Engineer — APQP & Quality Lead (Onsite)

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) savings plans

Career Development

Incentive bonus

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Clayton, NC, is seeking a Supplier Development Engineer to drive quality and process improvements across the Cab Components supply base.

The role focuses on APQP execution, process controls, and supplier development to ensure defect-free parts that meet manufacturing standards. You will collaborate with Caterpillar teams and suppliers worldwide, leading audits, QA plans, and continuous improvement initiatives while supporting a robust supplier network and achieving

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate with suppliers and Caterpillar teams.
• Knowledge of quality systems, process controls, and APQP concepts.
• Experience with lean six sigma to improve supplier performance.
• Familiarity with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and QCLDM/TCO.
• Ability to lead supplier audits, develop QA plans, and assess manufacturing environments.
• Negotiation skills for contractual cost elements and supplier agreements.

Responsibilities

• Work with suppliers to implement robust process controls to prevent defects.
• Monitor suppliers' manufacturing processes, capacity, and quality systems.
• Lead or support APQP activities for new product development programs.
• Conduct supplier quality audits and develop inspection plans and testing methods.
• Assess potential suppliers and perform supplier quality audits for compliance.
• Support suppliers with process improvements and quality assurance planning.
• Generate supplier quality reports and guide reductions in defect rates.

Skills

Relationships

Effective Communications

Problem Solving

Process Improvement

Quality Orientation

Supplier Management - MFG

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Job description

Caterpillar Inc. in Clayton, NC, is seeking a Supplier Development Engineer to drive quality and process improvements across the Cab Components supply base.

The role focuses on APQP execution, process controls, and supplier development to ensure defect-free parts that meet manufacturing standards. You will collaborate with Caterpillar teams and suppliers worldwide, leading audits, QA plans, and continuous improvement initiatives while supporting a robust supplier network and achieving