Design Engineer Jobs in Lafayette, IN (NOW HIRING)

Career Area:
Manufacturing
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 LPSD
The Large Power Systems Division (LPSD) is part of Caterpillar's Power & Energy segment. Through this global organization, Caterpillar designs and manufactures large (greater than 18 liters) diesel and natural gas engines, powertrains and key engine systems. LPSD products and solutions support customers across power generation, industrial, marine, oil & gas, rail, services and Cat® machine applications worldwide.
LPSD teams work across regions and functions to deliver safe, reliable and compliant solutions that help solve our customers' toughest challenges
Job Summary
The Manufacturing Project Engineer provides technical expertise in manufacturing process development projects for the continuous improvement of the safety, quality, velocity and cost of manufacturing.
Responsibilities
What you will do

• Providing technical expertise and guidance in major manufacturing projects, working with internal/external suppliers to support/improve manufacturing productivity and cost effectiveness.
• Evaluating major systems and the coordination of those systems with the total plant.
• Directing suppliers to analyze their current or proposed product/process designs to determine feasibility of using existing designs or modifying the designs to improve process and/or product.
• Providing guidance and mentoring to manufacturing engineers and operators in order to develop high quality products and processes.

Degree Requirement
Degree or related experience
What you will have
Capacity Planning & Management - MFG: Knowledge of tools, approaches and practices for determining production demand and ability to manage resources needed to provide satisfactory levels of service.
Level Working Knowledge:

• Documents major considerations of product promotions and analyzes their effect on production and required capacity.
• Provides management reports on actual and projected capacity requirements.
• Uses available tools to interpret forecasts and work out required capacity.
• Participates in developing short-term capacity requirements for a specific product or plant.
• Collects and collates key elements of demand chain used in developing capacity requirements.

Computer-Aided Design & Engineering: Knowledge of tools and techniques of specialized graphics programs; ability to produce, analyze, simulate and test product design drafts.
Level Extensive Knowledge:

• Coaches others on orthographic, isometric and axonometric projections.
• Presents complex products and systems graphically.
• Performs manipulations on design objects, such as changing projections and managing drawing layers.
• Directs the matrix computations performed to transform objects in coordinate space.
• Consults on benefits and drawbacks of top-down design vs. bottom-up design.
• Compares and contrasts uses of bird's-eye views and worm's-eye views.

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.
Level Extensive Knowledge:

• Differentiates assumptions, perspectives, and historical frameworks.
• Evaluates past decisions for insights to improve decision-making process.
• Assesses and validates decision options and points and predicts their potential impact.
• Advises others in analyzing and synthesizing relevant data and assessing alternatives.
• Uses effective decision-making approaches such as consultative, command, or consensus.
• Ensures that assumptions and received wisdom are objectively analyzed in decisions.

Engineering - MFG: Knowledge of processes, techniques and methods of engineering in a manufacturing environment; ability to design and implement materials, structures, machines, devices, systems and processes that safely realize a desired objective or invention.
Level Working Knowledge:

• Assists in problem resolution, drafting and writing specifications for engineering practices.
• Works with basic, routine components of the engineering discipline in manufacturing.
• Performs basic installation, maintenance and repairs for a specific engineering function.
• Follows relevant standards, policies and practices in engineering operations.
• Reports unusual engineering issues and considerations regarding manufacturing operations to senior staff.

Project Management: Knowledge of effective project management strategies and tactics; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control projects, ensuring efficient utilization of technical and administrative resources to achieve project objectives.
Level Extensive Knowledge:

• Utilizes preferred tools, techniques and methods for estimating project cost and time.
• Plans, estimates, staffs, organizes and monitors significant projects.
• Identifies risks and vulnerabilities; creates contingency plans.
• Conducts regular and ad-hoc project reviews with project team, sponsors, and clients.
• Maintains open communication among project participants and interested parties. Communicates reporting requirements; creates monitoring and control mechanisms.

Robotics/Computer Controlled Machinery: Knowledge of robotics technologies and computer controlled machinery; ability to implement and operate robotics and computer controlled machinery in an automated manufacturing environment.
Level Extensive Knowledge:

• Helps develop and implement long-range automation plans.
• Works with multi-function, flexible robots that perform multiple and complicated tasks.
• Researches robot and vendor alternatives.
• Consults on the use of advanced robotics commands and programming languages.
• Conducts cost-benefit analyses of robotic technologies; monitors actual versus planned.
• Promotes the use of robotics; participates in implementation and training.

Technical Troubleshooting: Knowledge of technical troubleshooting approaches, tools, and techniques; ability to anticipate, recognize, and resolve technical issues on hardware, software, application, or operation.

• Level Working Knowledge:
• Discovers, analyzes and resolves hardware, software, or application problems.
• Works with vendor-specific diagnostic guides, tools, and utilities.
• Handles calls related to product features, applications, and compatibility standards.
• Analyzes code, logs, and current systems as part of advanced troubleshooting.
• Records and reports specific technical problems, solving processes and tools that have been used.

What will put you ahead

• Proven results leading large new capital projects
• Ability to lead large multi functional team initiatives
• Factory automation experience desired
• Experience leading problem solving workshops
• Supplier collaboration experience

This Job Description is intended as a general guide to the job duties for this position and is intended for the purpose of establishing the specific salary grade. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive summary of all responsibilities, duties and effort required of employees assigned to this job. At the discretion of management, this description may be changed at any time to address the evolving needs of the organization. It is expressly not intended to be a comprehensive list of "essential job functions" as that term is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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Summary Pay Range:
$128,470.00 - $192,710.00
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
This position requires working onsite five days a week.
Relocation is available for this position.
Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Posting Dates:
August 17, 2026 - August 23, 2026
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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