Cooling component Design Engineer Mossville IL Caterpillar – Posted DE

Job Summary

We currently have an opening for a cooling component Design Engineer within the Machine and Electrification Thermal Systems team. This Design Engineer will lead the design, development, and validation of cooling components and systems for Caterpillar machinery, with a primary focus on Track Type Tractor and Surface Rock Drill applications. This role partners closely with cross‑functional engineering teams throughout concept, prototype, and production phases to ensure robust system performance and quality.

The engineer will drive innovation through NTI cooling component development, resolve technical issues for both NPI and CPI programs, and guide teams through FMEA, durability testing, and the creation of strong validation criteria. Success in this position requires strong analytical thinking, technical excellence, effective communication, and the ability to manage multiple priorities. Experience with cooling systems, component design, Creo modeling, and Caterpillar NPI/APQP processes is highly beneficial.

• Accountable for leading design of cooling components and systems for specific machine applications, including, but not limited to, Track Type Tractor and Surface Rock Drill products.
• Engage with other component and system design teams through design concept / prototype and production phases to ensure robust validation plans are created and implemented.
• Lead new cooling component NTI (TRL0‑TRL4) and stay abreast of innovative technology in the cooling space.
• Lead and support technical resolution of issues related to cooling components and systems (NPI and CPI).
• Lead component and system FMEA in collaboration with design engineers and system leads.
• Investigate and develop accelerated component durability test methods.
• Demonstrate effective leadership through:
  • Providing technical guidance to component teams and resolving NPI and CPI issues with urgency.
  • Clearly communicating technical risks and mitigation tasks with management.
  • Updating robust validation procedures in design guides.
  • Creating validation Pass/Fail criteria for machine cooling product components and systems.

• Bachelor’s degree in an accredited Engineering or Materials Science curriculum.
• Relevant professional experience within design, development, and/or validation.

• Analytical Thinking
  :
  Extensive knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.
• Effective Communications
  :
  Working knowledge and understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive and accurately interpret ideas, information and needs through appropriate communication behaviors.
• Managing Multiple Priorities
  :
  Working knowledge of effective self‑management practices; ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups or activities, making effective judgments for prioritizing and time allocation.
• Technical Excellence
  :
  Working knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.
• Computer‑Aided Design & Engineering
  :
  Extensive knowledge of tools and techniques of specialized graphics programs; ability to produce, analyze, simulate and test product design drafts.
• Product Design – MFG
  :
  Extensive knowledge of processes, approaches, tools and techniques of product design; ability to convert customer and market requirements into product design.
• Product Design and Development
  :
  Working knowledge of product features; ability to design, build and develop a new product, technology or service from concept through to production.

• Extensive component design and modeling experience.
• Prior experience with track type tractor cooling components; system design focused is preferred.
• Prior experience with design and development of machine‑mounted cooling components.
• Experience reviewing and interpreting simulation/VPD results.
• Ability to research new materials and competitive products; organizing,…