Manufacturing Engineer - Assembly Projects and Process Improvement

Job description

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. About LPSD The Large Power Systems Division (LPSD) is part of Caterpillar’s Power & Energy segment. Through this global organization, Caterpillar designs and manufactures large (greater than 18 liters) diesel and natural gas engines, powertrains and key engine systems. LPSD products and solutions support customers across power generation, industrial, marine, oil & gas, rail, services and Cat® machine applications worldwide. Job Summary The Manufacturing Engineer, Assembly Projects and Process Improvement will lead the development and implementation of safe, lean, capable, and cost-effective manufacturing processes for current and future Assembly operations. This position will support New Capital Introduction projects and major process improvements from initial benchmarking and concept development through equipment installation, validation, production startup, and sustainment. The engineer will evaluate existing manufacturing methods, develop current-state and future-state processes and layouts, and work with Operations, Quality, Safety, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Product Engineering, Facilities, and external equipment suppliers to deliver manufacturing solutions that improve safety, quality, velocity, and cost. This role requires strong manufacturing engineering fundamentals, project leadership, structured problem solving, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to translate production needs into practical equipment and process solutions. Success in This Role A successful candidate will be able to take a manufacturing need from an initially defined problem or future production requirement through a robust and implementable process solution. The candidate should be comfortable working on the production floor, analyzing data, developing layouts and equipment concepts, coordinating suppliers, leading cross-functional reviews, managing project execution, and supporting the final transition into production. What you will do Lead Manufacturing Engineering activities for New Capital Introduction, equipment replacement, capacity, safety, quality, and process improvement projects within Assembly operations. Benchmark existing manufacturing processes and technologies to identify best practices, process gaps, risks, and improvement opportunities. Document current-state processes and develop future-state manufacturing concepts, process flows, workstation designs, material flows, and layouts. Develop process requirements, equipment concepts, scopes of work, technical specifications, and acceptance criteria for manufacturing equipment and tooling. Work with original equipment manufacturers and other suppliers to develop, evaluate, quote, and select manufacturing solutions that meet operational and technical requirements. Evaluate proposed solutions using safety, quality, velocity, cost, maintainability, ergonomics, flexibility, capacity, and lifecycle considerations. Develop and manage project plans, schedules, budgets, risks, deliverables, design reviews, installation activities, validation plans, and launch-readiness actions. Coordinate with Operations and organizational support groups to ensure that people, processes, equipment, tooling, material, documentation, quality controls, maintenance resources, and facility requirements are ready for implementation and production startup. Lead or facilitate cross-functional process and design reviews using PFMEA, Control Plans, process flow documentation, risk assessments, error-proofing principles, and other appropriate engineering methods. Identify potential process failures and implement effective engineering controls that reduce risk and support safe, repeatable, and capable production. Apply Lean manufacturing principles, including waste elimination, standard work, visual management, line balancing, flow improvement, mistake-proofing, and workplace organization. Analyze production and process data to identify variation, bottlenecks, constraints, reliability concerns, and opportunities to improve process capability. Apply structured problem-solving methods such as A3, 8D, DMAIC, root cause analysis, and corrective action planning. Support equipment runoff, installation, commissioning, production validation, operator and maintenance training, and transition to the receiving organization. Monitor project and process performance after implementation and lead corrective actions necessary to achieve safety, quality, velocity, cost, and reliability objectives. Communicate project status, technical recommendations, risks, decisions, and escalation needs to project stakeholders and leadership. Degree Requirements Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or another related technical discipline, or equivalent relevant experience where permitted. What you will have Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment. Level Working Knowledge: Applies critical-thinking techniques to evaluate manufacturing, equipment, process, and project decisions. Identifies, obtains, organizes, and analyzes relevant technical, operational, cost, and risk information. Clarifies and prioritizes stakeholder requirements, constraints, assumptions, and concerns. Evaluates risks, benefits, tradeof