Senior Design Engineer
Caterpillar
- Location
- Lafayette, IN
- Employment
- Full Time
- Work model
- On-Site
- Level
- Senior
- H-1B history
- 106 approvals (FY2023)
- Posted
- Sep 21, 2026
About this role
Career Area: Engineering 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.
Role
Summary: As a Cylinder Pack Design Engineer, you will serve as the technical owner for critical engine cylinder pack components and systems, leading their design, development, validation, and design control throughout the product lifecycle. You will be accountable for the technical integrity and performance of cylinder pack products, including pistons, rings, and liners within the Large Power Systems Division. In this role, you will define product requirements, make key engineering decisions, manage technical risks, and ensure designs meet performance, durability, manufacturability, quality, and cost objectives. You will lead the development of cylinder pack components to support diesel, natural gas, and alternative fuel reciprocating engines serving customers around the world. You will collaborate with a global network of subject matter experts, development engineers, suppliers, manufacturing facilities, and cross-functional stakeholders to deliver products from concept through design, validation, production launch, and ongoing product support. As the responsible engineer, you will drive issue resolution, oversee design changes, and provide technical leadership to ensure successful product execution throughout its lifecycle. You will also lead engineering workstreams and project deliverables, champion innovative technologies, and continuously expand your technical expertise while building strong relationships across Caterpillar's global engineering and manufacturing organizations.
What you will do
Build expertise as the technical owner for PRL cylinder pack components, leveraging knowledge from current subject matter experts while assuming responsibility for the design, development, validation, and lifecycle management of assigned cylinder pack products. Engage with suppliers on concurrent product and process design to achieve our performance, quality, production delivery, and financial objectives. Work with the engine platform teams to achieve their goals and keep them abreast of progress and developments in NPI, NTI, CPI, and NSI projects. Direct and/or conduct analytical simulation work, providing boundary conditions, load inputs, and evaluation of results. Apply product development skills - conceptual design, development of products process, data analysis & extraction, failure investigation, and requirements management. Execute maintenance activities such as factory and customer problem resolution, cost reduction and robustness improvement projects. Communicate results to customers, suppliers, team members, and other business units. Function as a critical member of a project team including cross-functional roles in purchasing and operations. Gather input from a broad team to formulate decisions and develop the output for the project. Key areas of responsibility are: plan and manage the job/project; manage the business/financial aspects of the job or project; provide a supportive work environment for the team; mentor, coach, and develop others; and manage one’s own development. Direct and/or conduct analytical simulation work, providing boundary conditions, load inputs, and evaluation of results.
Education and Experience
Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in an accredited Engineering, Computer Science, or Materials Science curriculum Experience with engine testing, calibration, simulation, or controls development Skills you will have: Analytical Thinking: Extensive