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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.

Executive Summary

The Paint Manufacturing Engineering Manager is accountable for delivering world-class paint shop performance through process optimization, automation, quality excellence, cost reduction, and capital project execution. This role serves as the technical leader for paint manufacturing operations and drives continuous improvement initiatives that enhance productivity, safety, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

1. Paint Shop Process Engineering

• Develop, standardize, and optimize paint shop manufacturing processes.

• Establish process parameters for pretreatment, e-coat, primer, topcoat, and curing operations.

• Establish robotic paint process

• Improve First Time Quality (FTQ), paint appearance, and coating performance.

• Lead root cause analysis for paint defects and implement corrective actions.

• Ensure process capability and compliance with customer specifications.

2. Manufacturing Excellence & Productivity

• Drive cycle time reduction, throughput improvement, and capacity enhancement projects.

• Lead Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and Value Stream Mapping initiatives.

• Improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) across paint shop operations.

• Eliminate waste and reduce paint consumption, energy utilization, and operating costs.

3. Capital Project Management

• Lead planning, justification, execution, and commissioning of capital investment projects.

• Manage installation of paint booths, ovens, pretreatment systems, conveyors, robots, and automation systems.

• Coordinate with suppliers, contractors, and cross-functional teams during project implementation.

• Ensure projects are completed within scope, budget, quality, and timeline requirements.

4. Automation & Industry 4.0

• Drive implementation of robotic painting systems and process automation.

• Develop digital monitoring systems for paint process control and performance tracking.

• Support PLC, SCADA, MES, and Industry 4.0 initiatives.

• Utilize data analytics to improve process performance and predictive maintenance.

5. Quality & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with quality management systems and customer requirements.

• Lead paint audit activities and process validation.

• Drive defect reduction initiatives for:

o Runs and sags

o Orange peel

o Dust contamination

o Color variation

o Adhesion failures

o Surface appearance defects

6. Environmental, Health & Safety

• Ensure compliance with EHS regulations and company safety standards.

• Drive VOC reduction, sustainability initiatives, and environmental compliance.

• Lead risk assessments and safety improvement projects.

• Support energy conservation and carbon footprint reduction initiatives.

7. New Product Introduction (NPI)

• Support launch of new products and variants.

• Develop manufacturing feasibility studies and process plans.

• Conduct PFMEA, process validation, and capability studies.

• Ensure successful product launch with quality and productivity targets.

8. Team Leadership

• Lead and develop Manufacturing Engineers, Process Engineers, and Technical Specialists.

• Build technical capability across paint shop teams.

• Establish performance objectives and competency development plans.

• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

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Educational Qualification

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Production Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent.

• Master's Degree (Preferred).

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Experience

• 10-15+ years of manufacturing engineering experience.

• Minimum 5 years in paint shop operations or automotive paint manufacturing.

• Experience in robotic painting, conveyor systems, pretreatment, coating technologies, and automation.

• Exposure to greenfield projects, plant expansion, and paint shop commissioning is preferred.

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Technical Skills

• Paint Shop Process Engineering

• Robotic Painting Systems

• PLC/SCADA Integration

• Conveyor & Material Handling Systems

• PFMEA, Control Plans, APQP

• Lean Manufacturing & Six Sigma

• Root Cause Analysis (8D, DMAIC, 5 Why)

• OEE Improvement

• Capital Project Management

• Industry 4.0 & Smart Manufacturing

• AutoCAD / Process Simulation Tools

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Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Thinking

• Results Orientation

• Project Leadership

• Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Change Management

• Problem Solving & Decision Making

• Communication & Stakeholder Management

• Team Development & Coaching

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Posting Dates:

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply

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