Internship Fracture Mechanics Engineer Jobs in Decatur, IL

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. The Load & Haul Heavy Structures organization is seeking a Senior Design Engineering Specialist to serve as a global technical expert supporting the design, development, validation, and continuous improvement of structural systems across the Load & Haul product portfolio. This position provides technical leadership and guidance to Heavy Structures engineering teams worldwide, supporting products such as Large Wheel Loaders, Articulated Trucks, Wheel Tractor Scrapers, Wheel Dozers, Landfill Compactors, and Underground Hard Rock Vehicles. The role combines deep expertise in structural fabrication design, simulation, validation, manufacturing, and product development processes with a strong passion for coaching and developing engineering talent. The successful candidate will influence technical direction across multiple programs, mentor engineers at all levels, support complex design and validation activities, and help ensure products achieve world-class performance in safety, quality, durability, manufacturability, and cost.

Location: Decatur, IL or Mossville, IL. Domestic relocation assistance is available.

Travel requirement: Domestic and international up to 25% (including day trips).

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Candidate Applications accepted through Sunday, Sept. 13th.

• Provide technical leadership and guidance on complex structural fabrication design challenges, supporting new product introductions (NPI), continuous product improvement (CPI), and field issue resolution activities.
• Coach, mentor, and develop engineers through technical reviews, design guidance, and problem-solving support.
• Develop and review structural designs utilizing Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and durability best practices.
• Provide expertise in weldment design, castings, fabricated structures, and structural load paths.
• Guide finite element analysis (FEA), structural simulation, durability assessments, and physical validation activities.
• Interpret analysis and test results and provide recommendations that improve durability, quality, cost, and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, purchasing, suppliers, and platform teams to optimize structural designs and production processes.
• Support APQP, CPPD, FMEA, DVP&R, and other product development activities throughout the product lifecycle.
• Drive technical excellence, standardization, lessons learned, and best practices across the Load & Haul Heavy Structures community.

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

• Analytical Thinking: Applies advanced analytical methods, structural engineering principles, finite element analysis (FEA), and durability assessment techniques to identify root causes, evaluate alternatives, quantify risks, and develop effective solutions for complex product and structural performance challenges.
• Troubleshooting Technical Problems: Leads the diagnosis and resolution of complex structural, manufacturing, and system-level issues by applying expert troubleshooting methodologies, durability analysis, fracture mechanics principles, root cause investigation, and cross-functional collaboration to implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Effective Communications: Communicates complex technical concepts clearly and persuasively to engineering, manufacturing, supplier, and leadership audiences while effectively influencing decisions, mentoring others, and fostering alignment across global cross-functional teams.
• Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Exercises expert judgment by evaluating technical data, simulation results, validation findings, manufacturing considerations, and business objectives to make informed decisions that balance performance, durability, quality, cost, and customer requirements.
• Computer-Aided Design & Engineering: Utilizes advanced CAD, CAE, and structural simulation tools such as CREO, ANSYS, Abaqus, Nastran, HyperWorks, or equivalent platforms to develop, analyze, validate, and optimize heavy structure designs, fabricated steel structures, and cast components.
• Product Development Life Cycle (Manufacturing): Provides strategic leadership throughout the product development lifecycle by establishing design standards, validation strategies, and engineering best practices while driving innovation, manufacturability, and quality from concept through production.

• Experience designing and validating heavy structures for off-highway equipment, including fabricated steel structures, castings, and structural durability-critical components.
• Experience supporting Load & Haul products and applications, with an understanding of customer requirements, machine usage, and performance expectations.
• Experience with Caterpillar NPI, CPI, APQP, CPPD, and product development processes.
• Knowledge of welding processes, fabrication methods, manufacturing constraints, supplier capabilities, and design for manufacturability (DFM) principles.
• Experience establishing structural design standards, engineering best practices, and validation strategies that improve product quality, durability, and performance.
• Proven success collaborating with global engineering, manufacturing, and supplier teams to drive technical alignment, manufacturability, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrated technical leadership through mentoring, coaching, and influencing critical engineering decisions across complex product development programs.

Pay Range: $147,760.00 - $221,640.00 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.

• 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: 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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We hold ourselves to high standards and make sure our values of integrity, excellence, teamwork, commitment and sustainability come to life in the way we work. We make sure our employees feel continuously challenged while also supported. We provide professional growth opportunities, including leadership programs. We celebrate the diversity of our team, while also working together as one Caterpillar. Our culture, like everything at our company, is made possible by each employee’s contribution. Person by person, we create the environment we work in, and we are proud of the Caterpillar we’ve built.