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.
Your Work Shapes the World
Whether it be groundbreaking products, best in class solutions or creating a lifelong career, you can do the work that matters at Caterpillar. With a 95-year legacy of quality and innovation and 150 locations in countries around the world, your impact spans the globe.
When you join Caterpillar, you are joining a team of makers, innovators, and doers. We are the people who roll up our sleeves and do the work to build a better world. We don’t just talk about progress and innovation. We make it happen. And we are proud of that, because it helps our customers build and power the world we live in – the roads, hospitals, homes, and infrastructure. Without a dedicated workforce Caterpillar could not effectively meet our customer’s needs. Join us.
CATERPILLAR LARGE POWER SYSTEMS
We design and manufacture Cat C27, C32, 3400, 3500, C175, 3600 and C280 platforms; Perkins 4000 series and 5000 series platforms and MWM gas engine platforms, drivetrains and engine system components. Through our global organization, we design and manufacture the most comprehensive lineup of large diesel and natural gas engines in the industry, as well as engine components and powertrains. The large engine product portfolio includes Cat, Perkins and MWM branded products. Applications include Cat machines, electric power generation, marine, oil & gas, industrial and locomotive.
Caterpillar’s Large Power Systems Division is looking for a Senior Design Engineer to support the Lafayette, IN facility. This position will have responsibility for various aspects of large engine design for the 3500 Platform Team. This role collaborates with industry and marketing teams to define engine requirements for programs and then works with performance, validation, component and system design teams to develop new products for Machine, Locomotive, Oil & Gas, and Industrial applications. Projects might include New Technology Investigation (NTI), New Product Introduction (NPI), Current Product Improvement (CPI), and general engineering maintenance.
Job Duties/Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
- Lead or contribute to design, development, and validation related to 3500 engines through NTI, NPI, and CPI processes
- Oversee project progress and manage costs while communicating status with stakeholders
- Host and document reoccurring design team meetings
- Collaborate with Industry or marketing groups on program requirements
- Work with validation and L3 engineers to ensure completion of FMEAs and activities needed to fully validate engine designs
- Support engine performance development and validation in test cells and field locations
- Develop presentation material for Design, Gateway, Stakeholder, and Technical Readiness Level (TRL) reviews
- Schedule and lead engine design reviews and deep dive reviews for project milestones
- Create and update Teamcenter engine arrangement (ARC) models
- Bill of Material (BOM) Management
- Ownership of engineering drawing releasing for new designs
- Manage procurement of prototype designs utilizing the Prove Design Order (PDO) system
- Track and resolve issues found during simulation, virtual audits, testing, and assembly
- Work with Tech Center, factory and dealer technicians to build prototype engines
- Monitor Pre-Production Reliability Development (PPRD) events and participate in Issue Resolution List (IRL) meetings to drive escalation of events to NPI issues
- Lead or support NPI Issue investigation and project resolution
- Respond to marketing requests for evaluation of new sales opportunities for existing products
- Provide engineering quotations for cost and timelines for new product offerings
- Define product structure for Pricing Arrangements (PA’s) and Price Lists (PL’s) to ensure product functional requirements and compatibility with available options
- Support customer service, industry, and marketing inquiries on past, current, and future products
- Lead or support CPI and Large Engine Product Improvement (LEPI) projects using Six Sigma DMAIC principles for defining root cause, solution implementation and validation between once product is moved to production until Gate Way 7
- Travel to testing, supplier, or customer sites as needed (up to ~15% travel)
Basic Qualifications:
- 4 year degree in Engineering or Engineering Technology
Top Candidates will also have:
- Strong personal initiative, communication, and data analysis skills
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Engineering experience related to engines
- Advanced understanding of large diesel engines
- Application experience with Large Machine, Locomotive, Industrial, or Oil & Gas
- Ability to work well independently and as a collaborative member of a cross functional team
- Ability to quickly assemble cross functional teams to address program opportunities
- Understanding of Caterpillar engine product development process and engine configuration
- Familiarity with emission and non-emission based regulations
What You Will Get!
Our goal at Caterpillar is for you to have a rewarding career. Our teams are critical to the success of our customers who build a better world.
Here you earn more than just an hourly wage, because we value your performance, we offer a total rewards package that provides day one benefits along with the potential of annual bonuses.
Additional benefits include paid vacation days and paid holidays (prorated based upon hire date).
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holiday, Volunteer, Etc.)
- 401k savings plan
- Health savings account (HSA)
- Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
- Short and long-term disability coverage
- Life Insurance
- Paid parental leave
- Healthy Lifestyle Programs
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Voluntary Benefits (Ex. Accident, Identity Theft Protection)
All eligible candidates MUST pass the following pre-employment screenings before they can be hired to any Caterpillar position:
- Background Screening
- Drug & Alcohol Screening
Please ensure you frequently sign into your candidate home for any updates or correspondence for positions that you have applied for. https://cat.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/CaterpillarCareers
Keep a frequent check on emails as correspondence will be sent to the email that you used to apply with. If you wish to know the status of your application – please use the candidate log-in on our career website as it will reflect any updates to your status.
Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this position.
This employer is not currently hiring foreign national applicants that require or will require sponsorship tied to a specific employer, such as, H, L, TN, F, J, E, O. As a global company, Caterpillar offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S which can be found through our employment website at www.caterpillar.com/careers
Domestic relocation assistance is offered for this position.
About Caterpillar
Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.
Summary Pay Range:
$112,710.00 - $169,060.00
Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.
Benefits:
Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.
Medical, dental, and vision benefits*
Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*
401(k) savings plans*
Health Savings Account (HSA)*
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*
Health Lifestyle Programs*
Employee Assistance Program*
Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*
Career Development*
Incentive bonus*
Disability benefits
Life Insurance
Parental leave
Adoption benefits
Tuition Reimbursement
* These benefits also apply to part-time employees
Posting Dates:
March 11, 2026 - March 22, 2026
Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.
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