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Engineer Development Program Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Job Title RMEP-Dev Owner Summary The Reliability, Maintenance, and Engineering (RME) department is excited to announce an opening for a RMEP-Dev Program Owner! The RMEP-Dev Program Owner (RMEP-Dev PO ...

Collaborate with and actively support Medline's Quality Engineer Development Program by tracking and reporting out training completion, generating and auditing assignments, and providing guidance to ...

Collaborate with and actively support Medline's Quality Engineer Development Program by tracking and reporting out training completion, generating and auditing assignments, and providing guidance to ...

Program Engineer

Nashville, IL · On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

... engineering direction for production launch and sample approval. * Monitors and controls program ... Participates in department initiatives - e.g. business plan development / execution, procedure ...

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Engineer Development Program information

What types of projects and rotations can participants expect in an Engineer Development Program?

Participants in an Engineer Development Program typically rotate through several departments such as design, manufacturing, quality assurance, and project management. Each rotation offers hands-on experience with real engineering projects, giving you exposure to various technologies and workflows. This structure helps you develop technical skills, understand cross-functional collaboration, and discover your preferred engineering focus area. The program is designed to build a strong foundation for career advancement and prepare you for leadership roles within the organization.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in fields such as software, electrical, or petroleum engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, specialized skills, and leadership roles. High compensation often involves working in competitive industries, managing large projects, or holding executive-level responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in an Engineer Development Program, and why are they important?

To thrive in an Engineer Development Program, you generally need a relevant engineering degree, strong analytical skills, and a solid grasp of engineering fundamentals. Familiarity with industry-specific software (such as AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks) and basic project management tools is often expected. Strong communication, teamwork, and adaptability are crucial soft skills that help participants collaborate and learn effectively. These skills and qualifications are important because they enable new engineers to quickly develop technical expertise, contribute to projects, and grow within a dynamic professional environment.

What is the difference between Engineer Development Program vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectEngineer Development ProgramMechanical Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering or related field; some programs may require internshipsBachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentRotational assignments across departments, training sessions, mentorshipDesign, analysis, testing, and manufacturing in engineering teams
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in large corporations for early-career developmentWidely used across manufacturing, automotive, aerospace industries

The Engineer Development Program is a structured training initiative aimed at developing early-career engineers through rotations and mentorship, whereas a Mechanical Engineer typically focuses on specific engineering tasks within a department. The program offers broader exposure and training, while the Mechanical Engineer role involves specialized technical work.

What is an Engineer Development Program?

An Engineer Development Program (EDP) is a structured entry-level training initiative designed to help recent engineering graduates transition into professional roles. These programs typically rotate participants through different departments or projects, allowing them to gain broad experience, technical skills, and a deeper understanding of the company's operations. EDPs often include mentorship, formal training sessions, and opportunities to work on real-world engineering challenges. The goal is to prepare participants for long-term career growth within the organization.

What is an engineering development program?

An engineering development program is a structured training initiative designed to prepare early-career engineers for professional roles through rotations, mentorship, and skill-building activities. Participants typically gain experience in various engineering disciplines, develop technical competencies, and often pursue certifications or advanced education during the program.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, data engineering, or systems engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through senior roles, bonuses, stock options, or leadership positions in large tech companies. Achieving this level typically requires advanced skills, extensive experience, and often working in high-demand industries or companies with competitive compensation packages.

What jobs make $1,000,000 per year?

In the field of engineer development programs, reaching a $1,000,000 annual salary is uncommon and typically involves executive-level roles such as Chief Engineer or senior leadership positions in large corporations, often combined with stock options, bonuses, or profit-sharing. High earnings may also result from entrepreneurship, consulting, or specialized expertise in high-demand industries, but these are not standard roles within development programs. Most engineers in development programs earn significantly less, with top-tier salaries generally below this threshold.
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Engineer Development Program jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Engineer Development Program job openings:
2027 Leadership and Technical Development Program-Automation and Robotics

2027 Leadership and Technical Development Program-Automation and Robotics

Caterpillar

Mossville, IL • On-site

$94K - $121K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Caterpillar Inc. rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 468 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

224th of 430 rated machine equipment manufacturers


Job description

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 the Role
Caterpillar's Leadership and Technical Development Program (LTDP) for Automation and Robotics is approximately a three-year rotational program designed to accelerate development of entry-level talent and provide a solid foundation for meeting challenges within operations and manufacturing. Being part of the LTDP team offers you a broad exposure to Caterpillar, presents diverse project responsibilities, engages you in a global team, provides cross-functional job experiences and includes valuable networking opportunities with all levels of Caterpillar leadership. This program provides the opportunity to build foundational technical and leadership skills for future success within the organization.
Caterpillar's Automation and Robotics track is focused on building manufacturing automation technical competency in process design and analysis, research and development, technology introduction, and automation integration. This opportunity advances your development and training to build future technical experts and leaders within Automation and Manufacturing.
What You Will Do
Professionals within the program will complete two 18-month rotations, which are defined based on business needs. You must be willing to travel and relocate to any participating facility in North America upon hire and throughout each rotation while in the program. You'll join a team with diverse project responsibilities and have experiences including (but not limited to):
  • Foundational Automation role
  • Manufacturing Engineering
  • Product Development
  • Supplier Engagement role

What You Have - Skills and Experiences
In this role, you will have the opportunity to contribute your unique skills and experiences. Below are some of the most critical skills.
  • Analytical skills, initiating ideas, troubleshooting, root cause analysis, problem-solving, and critical thinking capabilities.
  • Knowledge of engineering principles, theory, and engineering experience gained through projects, internships, and/or relevant work experiences.
  • Fundamental understanding of engineering for a manufacturing environment, ability to design and implement automation technology, solutions, systems, and processes that safely realize a desired objective or invention.
  • Organize and manage multiple projects simultaneously, ability to quickly gain, and effectively apply new skills & knowledge.
  • Success in collaborating with others of diverse cultures, interpersonal styles, and abilities.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Participate in, and build on our inclusive, constructive, and productive work environment.
  • Ensure all team member's contributions are recognized and valued.

Program Qualifications
  • Completed degree from a university/college by the start of the program in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering Technology, Mechatronics, or Robotics or other relevant Engineering or Technology degrees
  • Minimum cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.8/4.0 (no rounding)
  • Must be willing to relocate domestically based upon business need for each rotation and for post-program assignment
  • Program Start Dates: January & June 2027

Top Candidates May Also Have
  • 0-2 years of relevant manufacturing or robotics experience, which may include internships or academic projects
  • Project or Team Leadership experience
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Ideal for those building foundational skills in manufacturing & automation, generally within the first 0-2 years of their career

Additional Information:
  • Please attach your resume and an unofficial copy of your transcript to your application.
  • Applicants will be considered for positions throughout the United States.
  • Rotation locations can be anywhere in the U.S., including but not limited to the Midwest, Southeast, Texas, and Southern California.
  • Relocation is available.
  • Sponsorship is NOT available for this position.
  • This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Final details:
Please frequently check the email associated with your application, including the junk/spam folder, as this is the primary correspondence method. If you wish to know the status of your application - please use the candidate log-in on our career website as it will reflect any updates to your status.
Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.
Recent graduates should explore our direct hire positions at www.caterpillar.com/careers. For more information, visit caterpillar.com. To connect with us on social media, visit caterpillar.com/social-media.
Summary Pay Range:
$81,370.00 - $122,060.00
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:
July 6, 2026 - February 28, 2027
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.
Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.

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