Manufacturing Engineer

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. Manufacturing Engineer   Location: East Peoria, IL (LL) Travel: Up to 5% Relocation Assistance: Available Visa Sponsorship: Not Available Job Summary As a Manufacturing Engineer in East Peoria, Illinois, you will provide technical expertise that improves the safety, quality, cost, reliability, and efficiency of complex manufacturing operations. You will evaluate production equipment and processes, identify improvement opportunities, and help implement sustainable engineering solutions. This position combines hands-on manufacturing support with lean manufacturing, process improvement, equipment reliability, collaborative automation, and project execution. You will work closely with operations, technical teams, and support functions to solve manufacturing challenges and strengthen production capability. The successful candidate will use data, sound engineering judgment, and structured problem-solving to turn operational needs into practical results.

Identify, evaluate, and implement enhancements or modifications to complex manufacturing equipment, production methods, and manufacturing processes. Monitor equipment performance and process reliability, investigate problem areas, and support corrective actions that improve production results. Lead engineering support for the planning, development, operation, installation, and maintenance of manufacturing equipment, processes, and facilities. Apply lean manufacturing principles and process-monitoring techniques to improve safety, quality, flow, cost, reliability, and operational effectiveness. Assess manual operations for collaborative automation opportunities and support the safe development, testing, risk assessment, and deployment of collaborative robots. Use structured problem-solving, fact-finding, and diagnostic tools to define manufacturing issues, evaluate alternatives, and support informed decisions. Develop project plans, estimates, schedules, resource requirements, and status updates for assigned manufacturing engineering initiatives. Provide technical direction, coaching, and development support to operations technical staff and other manufacturing support teams.

Manufacturing Engineering: Working knowledge of manufacturing engineering methods, equipment, specifications, standards, and practices, with the ability to support the design, installation, maintenance, or improvement of production processes. Manufacturing Processes: Ability to assess manufacturing phases, activities, deliverables, standards, process controls, and opportunities to introduce new technology. Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Ability to gather and organize relevant information, define problems, consider stakeholder perspectives, evaluate risks and benefits, and recommend productive solutions. Lean Manufacturing: Working knowledge of lean principles, work-cell considerations, waste reduction, lean assessment tools, and measures of manufacturing effectiveness. Project Management: Ability to contribute to project plans, cost and schedule estimates, resource requirements, progress tracking, stakeholder coordination, and status reporting. Education or Equivalent Experience: A degree or equivalent practical experience is desired for this position.

Experience with automated paint systems, conveyors, ovens, wash systems, and associated process controls. Working knowledge of coating specifications, paint quality