Manufacturing Project Engineer

## Manufacturing Project Engineer Apply locations:
Mapleton, Illinois time type:
Full time posted on:
Posted Yesterday job requisition :
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** Career Area:
** Manufacturing
*
* 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.
*
* Job Summary:

** The Manufacturing Project Engineer plays a key role in advancing operational performance by driving improvements in manufacturing processes, safety, and overall efficiency. This position partners closely with cross‐functional teams to lead initiatives that enhance production operations and support a safe, high‐performing work  this role, you will leverage your experience in manufacturing processes and operational excellence systems to identify opportunities for improvement and implement sustainable solutions.

You will collaborate across engineering, operations, and support teams to ensure alignment and successful execution of projects while maintaining a strong focus on safety and continuous improvement.

By combining technical expertise with a collaborative mindset, you will help strengthen manufacturing processes, support operational goals, and contribute to a culture of safety and performance excellence.
** What You Will Do
*** Research, develop, and deploy
** physical automation technologies
** to improve manufacturing process capability, efficiency, quality, and cost
* Support projects across
** robotics, automation systems, asset connectivity, machine learning, and vision‐based manufacturing applications
*** Lead or contribute to automation initiatives supporting
** New Product Introduction (NPI), Continuous Product Improvement (CPI), and manufacturing transformation
** efforts* Evaluate existing manufacturing processes and equipment to identify
** automation opportunities, gaps, and improvement potential
*** Design, develop, test, and validate automation concepts, prototypes, and pilot systems prior to production deployment
* Support
** installation, commissioning, ramp‐up, and stabilization
** of automation equipment in manufacturing and supplier environments
* Apply structured problem‐solving techniques to identify root causes and implement corrective actions addressing
** Safety, Quality, Velocity, and Cost
*** Collaborate with design engineering to influence
** Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
** and
** Design for Automation (DFA)
*** Propose, lead, and support research projects aligned with
** MSODLF and STLF objectives
*** Communicate technical findings, recommendations, and results to
** engineering teams, operations, leadership, suppliers, and internal customers
*** Provide technical guidance and mentoring to technicians and less‐experienced engineers
* Stay current with emerging technologies and represent Caterpillar in
** external technical forums, supplier engagements, and benchmarking activities
**** Education Requirement
** Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent knowledge gained through professional experience.
** What Skills You Will Have
**** Technical Troubleshooting:
*** Diagnose and resolve technical issues across manufacturing processes, equipment, and production systems.
* Conduct root cause analysis using structured problem‐solving tools (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone, RCCA) to address and prevent recurring issues.
* Analyze production data and system performance to identify failures, inefficiencies, and improvement opportunities.
* Collaborate with cross‐functional teams (engineering, maintenance, operations) to implement corrective actions and sustainable solutions.
* Support troubleshooting during new product introductions and process changes to ensure smooth and stable operations.
** Decision Making & Critical Thinking:
*** Applies structured decision‐making techniques
* Identifies, organizes, and evaluates…