Career Area:
Procurement
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.
Role Definition
The Supplier Development Engineer for Electrical Harnesses is responsible for ensuring supplier capability, quality performance, and process maturity across the wiring harness supply base. This role works closely with suppliers, engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to support the development, launch, and ongoing production of electrical harnesses that meet technical, quality, and delivery requirements. The position focuses on early supplier engagement, risk identification, and implementation of robust manufacturing and quality processes. The engineer leads audits, assessments, and continuous improvement initiatives to drive defect reduction and process control. This role also supports new product introductions, engineering changes, and supplier readiness activities. The ultimate objective is to enable a stable, capable, and reliable supplier network that supports zero-defect performance.
Responsibilities
- Support the development, qualification, and ongoing performance of suppliers producing electrical wiring harnesses.
- Evaluate supplier manufacturing processes to ensure compliance with technical specifications, quality standards, and customer requirements.
- Lead supplier assessments, audits, and process capability reviews, identifying risks and driving corrective actions.
- Support new product introductions by ensuring supplier readiness, including APQP, PPAP, and launch activities.
- Work with suppliers to implement and sustain robust quality systems, process controls, and error-proofing methods.
- Analyze quality issues, lead root cause analysis, and verify effective corrective and preventive actions.
- Monitor supplier performance metrics and drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on defect reduction and process stability.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, and quality teams to resolve issues and support program objectives.
- Support engineering changes, cost reduction initiatives, and supplier capacity planning as required.
Degree Requirement
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, preferably in Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
- Advanced level of English (spoken and written) is required, with the ability to communicate effectively in a professional and technical environment. (must)
Skill Descriptors
Supplier Quality Management
- Demonstrates expertise by assessing supplier quality systems and ensuring compliance with defined standards and customer requirements.
- Leads supplier corrective action activities, verifies effectiveness, and drives sustainable improvements in quality performance.
- Uses supplier scorecards and quality metrics to evaluate performance and prioritize improvement actions.
Manufacturing Process Knowledge
- Applies strong understanding of manufacturing and assembly processes for electrical wiring harnesses, including critical characteristics and process risks.
- Evaluates process capability, control plans, and inspection methods to confirm processes are stable and capable.
- Identifies gaps in process control and collaborates with suppliers to implement robust manufacturing solutions.
Problem Solving and Root Cause Analysis
- Leads structured problem-solving activities using methodologies such as 8D, 5-Why, and fishbone analysis.
- Analyzes quality data to identify trends, systemic issues, and recurring defects.
- Ensures corrective and preventive actions address true root causes and are effectively implemented.
Project and Program Support (APQP / PPAP)
- Supports new product introductions and engineering changes by leading supplier readiness activities.
- Ensures APQP deliverables are completed on time and PPAP submissions meet customer requirements.
- Proactively identify risks during development and launch phases and drives mitigation plans with suppliers.
Communication and Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Communicates clearly and effectively with suppliers and internal cross-functional teams in English.
- Aligns expectations regarding quality requirements, timelines, and deliverables.
- Facilitates technical discussions and escalation processes to drive alignment and accountability.
Top candidates will also have
- Master’s degree in engineering or experience like SDE fabrications, harnesses.
- Certifications related to quality or manufacturing, such as Six Sigma (Green Belt or Black Belt), ASQ certifications, or equivalent.
- Experience with APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, and supplier audit methodologies.
Additional details
- On-site work based in Monterrey, Nuevo León.
- Work schedule is Monday to Friday (7am-4pm). Flexibility may be required to support supplier operations and different time zones.
- This role requires frequent travel, approximately 30–50%, including visits to supplier sites and manufacturing facilities. International and domestic travel.
- Relocation assistance is not available for this position.
- Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Final details
Please frequently check the email associated with your application, including the junk/spam folder, as this is the primary correspondence method. 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.
The Caterpillar Code of Conduct states that we will select, and place employees based on their qualifications for the job to be performed, without regard to race, religion, national origin, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or disability. In this company we do not request pregnancy tests, nor HIV tests as requirements for employment entry, permanence, or promotion.
Posting Dates:
marzo 27, 2026 - abril 6, 2026
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply
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