Lean Project Engineer Jobs in Dunlap, IL (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.

Manufacturing Engineering and Automation Manager

Location: East Peoria, Illinois
Travel: Up to 5%
Relocation Assistance: Available
Visa Sponsorship: Not Available

Job Summary

As the Manufacturing Engineering and Automation Manager, you will lead a manufacturing engineering organization responsible for developing safe, efficient, and cost-effective manufacturing and assembly processes. You will translate product demand and capacity requirements into advanced manufacturing plans for equipment, automation, tooling, plant layouts, infrastructure, and capital investment. This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of manufacturing by integrating automation technology with lean processes, production priorities, and long-term business needs.

• Lead the manufacturing engineering team executing advanced planning for all manufacturing operations (Fabrication, Machining, Assembly etc..)
• Translate demand forecasts, product programs, and production schedules into short-term and long-term plans for capacity, equipment, space, tooling, infrastructure, resources, and capital investment.
• Develop and execute an advanced manufacturing and automation roadmap that improves safety, quality, velocity, reliability, capacity, and cost.
• Lead the evaluation, selection, integration, installation, validation, and continuous improvement of manufacturing equipment, industrial automation, robotics, machine controls, and related technologies.
• Partner with operations, product engineering, maintenance, quality, safety, facilities, supply chain, information technology, procurement, and equipment suppliers to deliver production-ready manufacturing solutions.
• Apply lean manufacturing principles to work-cell design, process flow, plant layouts, material movement, equipment utilization, standard work, and automation deployment.
• Build organizational capability by setting clear priorities, coaching manufacturing engineers, developing technical standards, managing performance, and leading the resolution of complex manufacturing problems.

• Manufacturing engineering: Extensive knowledge of manufacturing processes, assembly methods, equipment, tooling, layouts, work standards, and production infrastructure.
• Advanced planning: Demonstrated ability to translate product demand and production forecasts into capacity, resource, equipment, space, cost, and implementation requirements.
• Lean manufacturing: Experience integrating lean principles into manufacturing processes, work cells, layouts, performance measures, and continuous‑improvement plans.
• Leadership and problem‑solving: Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams, develop employees, make informed decisions, challenge assumptions, assess alternatives, and resolve complex operational problems.
• Education and experience: A degree or equivalent experience is desired, with relevant experience leading manufacturing engineering work in a production environment.

• Experience leading a manufacturing engineering team in a complex, capital‑intensive, heavy‑equipment, industrial‑equipment, automotive, agricultural‑equipment, aerospace, or similarly advanced manufacturing environment.
• Experience developing multi‑year manufacturing technology, capacity, equipment, or automation plans.
• Experience integrating industrial automation, robotics, programmable logic controllers, machine controls, machine vision, collaborative automation, or automated material‑handling systems.
• Experience leading capital‑equipment projects from business case and technical specification through installation, validation, production ramp‑up, and performance review.
• Experience working with equipment manufacturers, automation integrators, technical suppliers, or multi‑vendor manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of plant layout, work‑cell design, line balancing, process validation, production readiness, equipment reliability, machine safety, and manufacturing application systems.
• Lean, Six Sigma, project‑management, automation, controls, or other relevant technical certification.

$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.

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

August 28, 2026 - September 13, 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.