Career Area:

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.

Are you passionate about developing world-class products and ensuring they perform reliably in the hands of customers? If so, we invite you to join the Peoria Proving Ground (PPG) team at Caterpillar as an R&D Engineering Specialist.

In this highly visible role, you will play a key part in advancing Caterpillar's commitment to quality by driving validation activities earlier in the product development lifecycle. You will work at the intersection of product development, systems engineering, and machine validation, helping to shape validation strategies during the concept and design phases of new product programs.

As a validation leader for Medium Wheel Loader programs, you will collaborate with global engineering teams to define validation requirements, develop comprehensive test plans, assess technical and program risks, and ensure machines are prepared for successful validation at proving grounds and customer sites around the world. Your work will directly influence product readiness, reduce development risk, and help deliver reliable, high-quality solutions to Caterpillar customers.

This position offers a unique opportunity to influence product quality and development strategy on some of Caterpillar's most important machine programs. You will work with talented engineers around the globe, help shape the future of machine validation, and play a critical role in delivering innovative solutions that help solve our customers’ toughest challenges.

What You’ll Do (Job duties including but not limited to)

• Build and maintain strong partnerships across product groups, proving grounds, and process teams.
• Lead cross-functional test and development efforts in partnership with design, systems, and safety teams.
• Develop validation strategies and activity plans aligned with product and subsystem development objectives.
• Collaborate with global machine development and systems teams to define validation requirements and success criteria.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate technical and program risks throughout the development cycle.
• Estimate and manage validation program costs, resources, and schedules.
• Champion validation processes, tools, and best practices across product development teams.
• Leverage data and analytical tools to assess validation effectiveness and ensure critical failure modes are adequately addressed.
• Monitor and communicate new product introduction (NPI) program health to key stakeholders and leadership.
• Coordinate with global engineering teams across multiple time zones to support program execution.

What You Have (Core Skills)

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Electrical Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

• Experience in product, system, or component development and/or design experience.

• Project Management

• • Proven ability to plan, organize, execute, and monitor complex technical programs.
  • Experience managing multiple priorities while effectively utilizing resources to achieve project objectives.

• Product Testing
  • Strong understanding of product validation methodologies, testing strategies, and risk-based validation approaches.
  • Experience developing and executing comprehensive validation plans throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Effective Communications
  • Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence and align diverse stakeholders.
  • Proven success working across engineering disciplines, organizations, and global teams.
• Technical Excellence
  • Ability to quickly understand subsystem and component designs and translate technical requirements into robust validation plans.
  • Strong systems-thinking mindset with the ability to connect component-level performance to machine-level outcomes.
• Decision Making and Critical Thinking
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze complex technical challenges, assess risk, and make sound engineering decisions.
  • Data-driven approach to problem solving and continuous improvement.
• Willingness to participate in occasional meetings outside of standard business hours to collaborate with global teams, primarily in China and India.

Top Candidates Will Also Have

• Hands-on experience with machine testing, validation, product development, or laboratory-based engineering activities.
• Experience of collaborating with global engineering teams and cross-functional stakeholders across multiple organizations and geographic regions.
• Demonstrated confidence and professional presence when communicating technical information to senior leadership, including Product Managers, Chief Engineers, Engineering Managers, and executive-level stakeholders.
• Strong program and project management skills, with the ability to coordinate complex initiatives, balance competing priorities, and drive execution.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and customer relationship management skills, with a proven ability to build partnerships and influence outcomes across diverse teams. 

Additional Details

• Work location: Peoria, IL
• Domestic relocation assistance is available for this role.
• Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this role.
• Travel: <10%
• This position requires 5 days per week in the office (M-F) 

Summary Pay Range:

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:

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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