Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Welding)

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.

Lead welding manufacturing processes to ensure safe, stable, cost-effective, and high-quality production. Own process controls, equipment performance, weld quality, throughput, defect reduction, and continuous improvement. Drive PQVC results, standardization, documentation, capability, and problem solving within welding value streams. Direct reports include Manufacturing Engineers and Technicians.

Manage welding operations to meet production, safety, quality, and cost targets. Plan effective use of materials, fixtures, equipment, tooling, and labor to improve cost, quality, productivity, and inventory performance. Monitor delivery, weld quality, rework, scrap, cost reduction, lead time, and customer value initiatives. Set cost, safety, productivity, and weld quality goals with factory, logistics, maintenance, quality, and engineering teams. Oversee welding area activities and optimize personnel, machines, robotic cells, fixtures, and support equipment. Deploy 5S, Lean, 6 Sigma, internal certification, standard work, and process controls in welding operations. Develop teams through welding process training, engagement, accountability, safety, and ergonomics. Train supervisors on quality standards, welding fundamentals, defect prevention, and escalation routines. Support teams in achieving weld quality, process capability, safety, productivity, and standard work goals. Lead capital projects for welding equipment, robotic cells, fixtures, automation, and process improvements. Degree Requirement: Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering or related field. Advanced English. What skills will you have: Problem Solving: Documents welding issues, root causes, corrective actions, and lessons learned. Considers operator, quality, maintenance, engineering, and production perspectives when solving weld-related problems. Weighs risks and benefits of welding parameter changes, tooling adjustments, process trials, and equipment modifications. Performance Management: Provides feedback and recognition based on safety, weld quality, technical execution, productivity, and adherence to standard work. Supports performance and salary decisions with objective input on technical capability, leadership, and results in welding operations. Sets and updates objectives collaboratively around weld quality, process stability, throughput, safety, and continuous improvement. Lean Manufacturing: Apply lean principles to welding cell design, material flow, fixture readiness, changeovers, and visual management. Solves technical and people-related barriers that affect welding flow, takt achievement, first-pass yield, and standard work adherence. Explains considerations for implementing lean practices in manual, semi-automatic, robotic, or automated welding operations. Manufacturing Equipment: Ensure proper care, inspection, and basic maintenance of welding equipment, fixtures, robots, power sources, feeders, torches, and safeguards. Applies equipment safety considerations specific to welding, including guarding, ventilation, electrical safety, ergonomics, and consumable handling. Participates in setup, validation, and testing of new welding machines, robotic cells, fixtures, and automation according to specifications. Manufacturing Processes: Assesses welding process phases, activities, deliverables, controls, documentation, and production readiness requirements. Documents relevant welding standards,