Manufacturing Engineer - CNC Programmer

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 - CNC Programmer Location: East Peoria, IL (LL) Travel: Up to 5% Relocation Assistance: Available Visa Sponsorship: Not Available Job Summary As a Manufacturing Engineer - CNC Programmer 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.

Develop, optimize, and sustain safe, efficient manufacturing and tooling processes for machining complex components used in heavy equipment production. Create, validate, and maintain CNC programs for multi-axis machining and turning centers, including process prove-out and production support activities. Design, engineer, and specify tooling, workholding, fixtures, jigs, machine setup requirements, and related manufacturing solutions to improve quality, safety, and productivity. Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation, including operation specifications, work instructions, setup drawings, tooling standards, cycle time analyses, and process sheets. Lead root cause analysis, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives addressing safety, quality, throughput, cost, reliability, and process bottlenecks. Evaluate, implement, and support manufacturing equipment, tooling, automation, process improvements, and advanced manufacturing technologies. Manage technical projects involving new equipment, tooling, software, facility enhancements, and process development, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, and execution.

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 create, evaluate, and optimize manufacturing processes and CNC programs, including process controls, manufacturing standards, production activities, and deliverables, while driving the adoption of modern manufacturing technologies. 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 supporting manufacturing equipment, production processes, factory