Supplier Quality & Development Engineer

Caterpillar Brazil; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 113,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off (PTO)

401(k) savings plans

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Supplier Development Engineer to strengthen supplier quality, manufacturing excellence, and supply chain reliability for forged, cast, and machine bar components.

You will assess supplier quality systems, evaluate processes, and drive defect reduction across strategic suppliers. Responsibilities include conducting supplier assessments and audits, developing inspection and testing protocols, and supporting PPAP activities to ensure long-term manufacturing capability.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree or equivalent experience in steel forgings, castings, machining, heat treatment, or machine bar products.
• Experience in supplier quality, manufacturing processes, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Assess supplier quality and ensure forged, cast, and machine bar components meet specifications and standards.
• Conduct supplier assessments, product evaluations, and quality audits to identify risks and opportunities.
• Develop and maintain supplier inspection, testing, and evaluation processes to improve quality and performance.
• Monitor supplier quality metrics and defect trends; generate reports to support improvements.
• Collaborate with suppliers to reduce defects through process improvements and corrective actions.
• Support PPAP activities and supplier readiness for long-term capability and quality.
• Partner with engineering, procurement, manufacturing, and supplier teams to resolve quality issues.

Skills

Supplier management

Quality orientation

Effective communications

Problem solving

Process improvement

PPAP familiarity

Supplier evaluations

Quality audits

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

APQP

PPAP

PFMEA

SPC

MSA

Job description

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Supplier Development Engineer to strengthen supplier quality, manufacturing excellence, and supply chain reliability for forged, cast, and machine bar components.

You will assess supplier quality systems, evaluate processes, and drive defect reduction across strategic suppliers. Responsibilities include conducting supplier assessments and audits, developing inspection and testing protocols, and supporting PPAP activities to ensure long-term manufacturing capability.