Application Engineer

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.

Definition Creates, implements and improves engineering designs, processes, techniques, tooling and machinery to meet customer requirements and maximize product quality.  Responsibilities •    Creating new designs and resolves issues regarding the manufacturing or building sequences. Ensuring design acceptance and manufacturing readiness.  •    Participating in the adoption of new technologies and processes (automation, robotics, computer aided manufacturing software, etc.) to achieve greater efficiency, cost reduction and quality improvement. •    Planning and improving engineering procedures and operations to make the product or process more reliable, efficient and cost-effective. •    Collaborating with all functional areas, (marketing, purchasing, manufacturing) to provide a design solution that meets the requirements of the customer and dealer network.  •    Requires a degree in an accredited Engineering, Computer Science, or Materials Science curriculum. Degree Requirement Bachelor's Degree required, Mechanical, Electrical Business related preferred.

Descriptors Information Capture: Knowledge of the methods, channels and processes to obtain needed information; ability to identify, capture and document relevant business information in an auditable, organized, understandable and easily retrievable manner.  Level Working Knowledge:  •    Follows defined procedures to document all routine information. •    Identifies relevant established standards, policies and practices. •    Fulfills routine information capture needs in own area. •    Uses automated tools to capture, organize and archive relevant information. •    Cites examples of different types of relevant information that need to be captured. Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.  Level Working Knowledge:  •    Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending the recipient. •    Listens to feedback without defensiveness and uses it for own communication effectiveness. •    Makes oral presentations and writes reports needed for own work. •    Avoids technical jargon when inappropriate. •    Looks for and considers non-verbal cues from individuals and groups. Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Knowledge of design for manufacturability guidelines, methodologies, and use cases; ability to use this knowledge to optimize product designs and manufacturing operations.  Level Working Knowledge:  •    Analyzes the implementation challenges of DFM methodologies and shares them with their supervisors. •    Documents each stage of the design process for audit and review purposes. •    Follows standard guidelines and best practices while carrying out DFM procedures. •    Implements DFM methodologies to standardize product designs, simplify operations, and reduce costs for certain types of manufacturing processes. •    Utilizes basic DFM tools and technologies to implement DFM methodologies. Troubleshooting Technical Problems: Knowledge of troubleshooting approaches, tools and techniques; ability to anticipate, detect and resolve technical problems in a manufacturing or product development