Operations Automation Senior Eng

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 the Automation, Controls and Robotics team to ensure the reliability, availability, safety, and performance of manufacturing equipment. Responsible for developing and executing maintenance strategies, managing technical resources, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and implementing proven problem-solving methodologies to eliminate chronic failures and maximize equipment uptime. This position provides technical leadership for PLC-based control systems, industrial robotics, automated manufacturing equipment, and associated infrastructure while ensuring compliance with safety, quality, maintenance, and operational excellence standards.

Collaborates with engineers, partners and suppliers to meet business goals in accordance with the sustainable use of facilities and budget demands. Constructs an efficient facility maintenance team and guides training sessions to ensure quality performance. Evaluates the operation's effectiveness with current utilities and equipment; provides appropriate solutions to challenges and risks. Oversees inspections, repairs and updates of facilities and relevant operational activities; maintains order at the facility. Required Profile Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (electrical, mechatronics, automation, robotics, mechanical) or related field Advanced English proficiency Master's Degree in Automation, Reliability Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Systems, or related field. (desirable) Preferred certifications in TPM (Total Productive Maintenance), Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, WCM (World Class Manufacturing). What you have: Maintenance & Reliability Leadership Lead the automation, controls, and robotics maintenance team across manufacturing operations. Develop and implement preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance strategies to maximize equipment availability and reliability. Drive maintenance excellence through TPM, WCM, Reliability Engineering, and Best Practice methodologies. Establish and monitor KPIs including uptime, MTBF, MTTR, PM compliance, and maintenance cost performance. Ensure effective planning, scheduling, and resource utilization for maintenance activities. Automation, Controls & Robotics Provide technical leadership for PLC-based control systems, HMI, SCADA, industrial networks, variable frequency drives, motion control systems, and safety systems. Support troubleshooting, optimization, upgrades, and lifecycle management of manufacturing control systems. Lead robotics maintenance and continuous improvement initiatives involving FANUC, KUKA, and other industrial robotic platforms. Ensure equipment programming standards, backup strategies, and cybersecurity requirements are maintained. Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement Lead structured root cause investigations using methodologies such as: RCA (Root Cause Analysis) WCM Problem Solving TPM methodologies 5 Why Analysis Fishbone Analysis A3 Problem Solving FMEA Eliminate chronic equipment failures through implementation of sustainable corrective actions. Facilitate cross-functional teams to resolve complex technical and operational issues. Resource & Project Management Manage technical personnel, contractors, suppliers, and service providers supporting automation and maintenance activities. Develop annual maintenance budgets and capital improvement plans. Prioritize maintenance resources based on business risk, production needs, and