Welding Manufacturing Engineer

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.

Welding Manufacturing Engineer

Primary Location: Decatur, IL
Travel: Up to 10%
Relocation Assistance: Available
Visa Sponsorship: Not Available

As a Welding Manufacturing Engineer based in Decatur, IL, you will provide technical expertise to design and improve manufacturing operations across cost, quality, safety, and environmental compliance. You’ll focus on enhancing complex equipment and processes, strengthening equipment/process reliability, and leading engineering support that improves how work gets done on the floor. This role includes coaching, and development of operations technical staff and support teams while driving practical, data-informed improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and implement enhancements and modifications to complex manufacturing operations equipment and processes.
• Monitor sophisticated equipment and process reliability, identifying and addressing problem areas to improve uptime, throughput, and quality.
• Provide coaching, and development for operations technical staff and support areas.
• Lead engineering support for the planning, development, operation, and maintenance of manufacturing equipment, processes, or facilities.
• Apply structured decision-making, risk/benefit evaluation, and documentation to drive consistent outcomes.
• Use disciplined problem solving and fact-finding/diagnostic tools to define problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement sustainable countermeasures.
• Support projects with practical project management (plans, schedules, status reporting, stakeholder inputs).
•  Responsible for supporting the manufacturing operation by providing tooling, processes, equipment, etc. to provide for the needs of the shop operation. Assignments include tool design, manufacturing processing, cost estimating, systems planning, layout, standards, releasing, etc. and requires the coordination of all disciplines 

Required Skills

• Manufacturing process engineering: ability to assess phases/activities/deliverables, document standards, control/monitor processes, and possess thorough knowledge of GD&T
• Lean manufacturing: ability to apply lean tools/measurements, support work cell design considerations, and solve implementation challenges.
• Problem solving: ability to document problems and alternatives, analyze stakeholder perspectives, and use diagnostic tools to determine root cause.
• Decision making & critical thinking: ability to gather/organize relevant data, document decision inputs, and prioritize concerns.
• Engineering in a manufacturing environment: ability to support specifications, follow standards/policies, and escalate unusual issues appropriately.
• Project execution: ability to support basic project plans (cost/schedule/resources) and produce standard status reporting.
• Education/experience: Degree or equivalent experience desired.

Preferred Skills

• Collaborative automation / cobots: ability to assess manual operations for cobot use, implement solutions for ergonomics/safety, perform risk assessments, and test/validate performance.
• PLC Controls: experience with PLC controls including Allen Bradley and Siemens.
• Robotic Process Automation (RPA): ability to analyze workflows, configure/validate automations, and test solutions using common RPA tools (examples include Pega, Automation Anywhere, Blue Prism, UiPath).
• Experience improving equipment and process reliability in complex, high-mix manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop technical teams through coaching and structured execution.
• Thorough knowledge of heavy fabrication

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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