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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.

About Caterpillar Precision Seals and Attachments (CPSA) Mapleton

Located in Mapleton, Illinois, CPSA Mapleton is part of Caterpillar’s world-class manufacturing network and operates within one of the largest foundry campuses in the United States. Since 1965, Caterpillar Precision Seals has been the industry leader in metal face seal technology, producing high-quality sealing solutions that protect critical equipment in some of the world's toughest environments. At Mapleton, teams support the full product lifecycle, including engineering, sourcing, manufacturing, validation, and technical support, delivering innovative sealing solutions to customers across the mining, construction, agriculture, forestry, defense, and industrial sectors worldwide.

Lead the Future of Manufacturing

Are you passionate about transforming manufacturing through innovation, technology, and operational excellence? Caterpillar's Mapleton facility is seeking an Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering Manager to lead the next generation of manufacturing performance and smart factory transformation.

In this highly visible leadership role, you will drive the integration of engineering, maintenance, automation, reliability, and digital manufacturing technologies to improve safety, quality, productivity, cost, and overall operational performance. You will shape and execute the facility's Industry 4.0 strategy by leveraging automation, advanced analytics, predictive maintenance, digital tools, and continuous improvement methodologies to optimize assets, processes, and workforce effectiveness.

As a key member of the plant leadership team, you will partner closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, IT, and Supply Chain teams to lead transformation initiatives, accelerate technology adoption, and deliver sustainable business results. You will establish technical standards, champion a culture of operational excellence, and build the organizational capabilities required to support long-term growth and manufacturing excellence.

What you will do:

• Lead and develop a high-performing engineering, maintenance, and automation organization that supports manufacturing operations, drives operational excellence, and achieves business objectives across the facility.
• Provide strategic leadership for Industry 4.0 initiatives, digital transformation, automation, and continuous improvement efforts, positioning the organization for future-state manufacturing and long-term competitiveness.
• Oversee manufacturing engineering functions including assembly processes, manufacturing systems, cost estimating, production planning, facility layout, standards development, tooling, gauging, and equipment validation to ensure efficient and reliable operations.
• Drive the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of manufacturing methods, equipment, technologies, and operating systems that enhance safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and cost performance.
• Champion modernization initiatives by identifying and implementing advanced manufacturing technologies, automation solutions, data-driven decision making, and digital tools that improve operational performance and business outcomes.
• Ensure manufacturing facilities, equipment, and processes are properly designed, maintained, and aligned with authorized product programs, production schedules, and capacity requirements.
• Lead reliability and uptime strategies to maximize equipment availability, minimize downtime, and support efficient, uninterrupted manufacturing operations.
• Serve as a key business transformation leader, partnering across operations, engineering, supply chain, and leadership teams to drive innovation, continuous improvement, and sustainable operational excellence.

What skills you will have:

We're looking for someone who understands manufacturing processes and continuous improvement methodologies and can lead teams through meaningful change.

Manufacturing Processes: Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, production systems, tooling, equipment design, facility layout, process validation, and industrial engineering principles. Ability to optimize manufacturing operations through innovative engineering solutions and technology adoption.

Capacity Planning & Management - MFG: Expertise developing maintenance and reliability strategies that maximize equipment uptime, improve asset performance, reduce failures, and support uninterrupted manufacturing operations.

Lean Manufacturing: Demonstrated success leading Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives that deliver measurable gains in productivity, quality, throughput, and cost performance. Ability to build a culture focused on problem-solving and operational excellence.

Performance Management: Knowledge of successful performance management techniques. Strong ability to lead multidisciplinary teams including manufacturing engineers, maintenance professionals, automation specialists, reliability engineers, and technical experts. Experience developing talent, building organizational capability, and establishing technical standards.

Problem Solving: Demonstrated ability to evaluate complex operational challenges, identify root causes, assess risk, and implement effective solutions that improve manufacturing performance, workforce effectiveness, and customer outcomes.

Manufacturing Equipment: Knowledge of the electrical, mechanical and logistics equipment used in manufacturing; ability to safely operate, maintain, update and store them.
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.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, automation engineering or metallurgical engineering or equivalent experience.

Top candidates will also have:

• Experience with metallurgy, foundry operations, or metal casting processes.
• Experience leading engineering or manufacturing teams and transformation in a heavy industrial environment.

Additional Information:    

The location for this position is Mapleton, IL.     

Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position.

Visa sponsorship is NOT available with this position.

This position will require 15% travel.

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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