Manufacturing Engineer

Cullerton Group has a new opportunity for a Manufacturing Engineer 4. The work will be done onsite in Pontiac, Illinois
. This is a 12-month position that can lead to permanent employment with our client. Compensation is up to $51.00/hour + full benefits (vision, dental, health insurance, 401k, and holiday pay).

We are seeking an experienced Manufacturing Engineer to support Caterpillar's Fuel Systems manufacturing operations by improving production flow, optimizing manufacturing processes, and leading continuous improvement initiatives. This role serves as a technical and operational leader responsible for capacity planning, material flow optimization, workforce planning, and Lean manufacturing projects that improve throughput, reduce lead time, and enhance overall manufacturing efficiency. The ideal candidate has extensive manufacturing engineering experience, strong project management skills, and a proven background leading process improvement initiatives within a production environment.

• Design, analyze, and optimize end-to-end material and manufacturing process flows across the production value stream.
• Improve throughput by reducing work-in-process (WIP), minimizing lead time, and eliminating production bottlenecks.
• Lead value stream mapping initiatives and implement future-state manufacturing improvements.
• Monitor and improve production KPIs including throughput, on-time delivery, capacity utilization, and lead time.
• Lead digital transformation initiatives, including production KPI digitization and integration of autonomous robotics.
• Develop staffing models, optimize labor utilization, and align workforce planning with production demand.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives using structured problem-solving methodologies such as A3 and DMAIC.
• Partner with Production, Supply Chain, Quality, Maintenance, and Finance teams to improve operational performance.
• Review engineering drawings, production data, workflow layouts, and manufacturing processes to improve quality and efficiency.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• 8–10 years of manufacturing engineering experience in a production environment.
• Strong experience with capacity planning, production management, and Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Proven project management experience leading cross-functional manufacturing initiatives.
• Experience with process improvement, value stream mapping, and manufacturing workflow optimization.
• Working knowledge of CAD software and engineering drawings.
• Experience with Power Apps, data analytics, and AI tools for manufacturing process improvements.
• Leadership experience influencing teams and driving operational improvements without direct supervisory responsibility.
• Excellent analytical, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.

• MODAPTS certification.
• Experience implementing workflow automation solutions using Power Apps.
• Experience integrating AI technologies into manufacturing processes.
• Background in Fuel Systems or large-scale industrial manufacturing.
• Experience mentoring engineers or leading technical initiatives across multiple departments.

This opportunity allows you to play a key leadership role within Caterpillar's Fuel Systems manufacturing organization by driving Lean transformation, improving manufacturing flow, and supporting future production capacity. You'll collaborate across engineering, production, maintenance, quality, and supply chain teams while leading high-impact operational improvement projects that directly influence manufacturing performance and business growth.