Engineering Manager

Progress Rail stands at the intersection of legacy and innovation—driving the future of rail with a pioneering spirit. Since its founding in 1983, the company has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most trusted providers of railroad products, services, and technologies. Today, Progress Rail delivers a comprehensive portfolio of cost-effective solutions to railway customers around the globe. From the rails themselves to the EMD® locomotives that ride them, the company’s products are in operation across more than 100 countries—powering progress and connecting communities.

In 2006, Progress Rail joined Caterpillar Inc., further strengthening its ability to lead the rail industry with cutting‑edge technology, unmatched expertise, and a commitment to excellence. At Progress Rail, the team is not just building the future of rail—they are making history every day.

The Engineering Experimental Test & Facility Manager leads a diverse team of 10 salaried and ~30 skilled trades hourly employees conducting experimental testing and product development of locomotives and locomotive systems in support of new product development, reliability improvement and continuous product improvement. The group is also responsible for ensuring that the campus, buildings, and infrastructure are well maintained to provide a safe, productive, and environmentally friendly workplace for all employees.

• Leads the execution of experimental testing of Locomotives, large diesel engines, traction motors, alternators, and various locomotive subcomponents in test cells and work areas on the LaGrange campus;
• Manage engineering materials warehouse, shipping, and receiving;
• Manages an extensive list of contracted services including Plant Security, Housekeeping, Groundskeeping, Snow Removal, Pest Control, Fire System, Trash and Recycling;
• Drives safety and good housekeeping standards in all areas of the workplace;
• Monitors workforce activities to ensure compliance with recommended safety procedures;
• Participates in the selection of new employees, salaried and hourly;
• Trains, develops, assigns work and evaluates immediate subordinates;
• Responsible for overall departmental planning and objectives;
• Coordinates activities with staff of engineers and supervisors;
• Interprets divisional and departmental policy & sets priorities for supervisors as needed;
• Complies with the terms of the UAW local and national labor agreements;
• Nearly constant contact with others outside the work group;
• Prepares and manages departmental expense and CAPEX budgets;
• Provides resource estimates, cost estimates, and forecasts of expenditures;
• Interface with the Village of McCook, Village of LaGrange and neighboring business as needed;
• BIQ Process implementation and monthly metrics reporting on RFL/RFM/ETO/STI/IRLATS

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Engineering.

• Master’s degree in engineering or an MBA.

• 10+ years of relevant work experience;
• Understanding of Caterpillar’s Code of Conduct and a track record of upholding Cat Values;
• Thorough knowledge of design, development and test engineering, manufacturing and assembly operators, material procurement processes, engineering processes and procedures;
• Knowledge of large diesel engine design and operation;
• Ability to read engineering drawings and sketches;
• Extremely high level of analytical ability where problems are very unusual and extremely difficult;
• Ability to apply engineering principles to design, test and other engineering procedures;
• Fluency in all MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
• High level of oral and written communication skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with others, motivate employees, and elicit work output;
• Proven ability to handle complex technical logistics and management issues;
• High attention to detail.

• Prior Caterpillar work experience and knowledge of Caterpillar engine applications;
• Previous locomotive familiarity and test experience;
• Prior work with UAW represented employees;
• Lean manufacturing and process…