Senior Engine Performance Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Career Area:
Engineering
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 IPSD:
Caterpillar's Industrial Power Systems Division (IPSD) designs, tests and manufactures 0.5 to 18L engines that not only power Caterpillar machines, but also power over 5000 other applications including Marine, Petroleum, Industrial Applications, Electric Generators, and Locomotives. Caterpillar's company strategy includes sustainability as one of four focus areas and IPSD is engaged and actively preparing green energy solutions for the future.
Job Summary:
The Sr. Engineer - Performance/Simulation/Application on the IPSD-L structural and multi-body dynamics (MBD) team is responsible for leading and executing core rotating component simulations with tools such as RUMBLE/BEAR, Abaqus and AVL EXCITE or other MBD tools. This engineer will apply strong technical expertise to identify, analyze, and help resolve complex problems involving crankshafts, camshafts, connecting rods, bearings, and related engine systems while clearly communicating risks, results, and recommendations to key stakeholders.
The major focus of the job is on technical delivery, project leadership, and effective communication. In this role, you will partner with design, simulation, test, and platform teams to scope, plan, execute, and interpret analyses that improve the performance and durability of core rotating components. The engineer will contribute to simulation standard work, provide technical guidance and knowledge sharing, support data-driven technical decisions, and help improve tools and processes to enhance accuracy, robustness, and turnaround time.
What You Will Do:

• Lead core rotating component simulation activities for crankshafts, camshafts, connecting rods, bearings, and related engine systems across supported platforms and applications.
• Partner with component, platform, test, and design teams to clarify analysis needs, prioritize tasks, and deliver timely, high-quality results for durability and performance assessments.
• Leverage MBD, FEA, and engine system understanding to troubleshoot complex issues, evaluate design trade-offs, and support root cause analysis for development and field concerns.
• Contribute to and improve simulation standard work, including model setup, correlation, result interpretation, quality checks, and documentation of assumptions and recommendations.
• Conduct reviews with customers, communicate technical information clearly and concisely, translating complex simulation results into risks, options, and actionable recommendations for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Support multiple priorities and customers by aligning expectations, tracking deliverables, escalating risks, and maintaining clear communication on project status and technical decisions.
• Provide technical guidance and knowledge sharing to engineers and external resources through coaching, technical reviews, training, and collaboration.

What You Will Have:
Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision.

• Evaluates and makes contributions to best practices.
• Processes large quantities of detailed information with high levels of accuracy.
• Productively balances speed and accuracy.
• Implements a variety of cross-checking approaches and mechanisms.
• Demonstrates expertise in quality assurance tools, techniques, and standards.
• Employ techniques for motivating employees to meet or exceed accuracy goals.

Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.

• Seeks discrepancies and inconsistencies in available information; explains variances.
• Organizes and prioritizes the sequence of steps to be taken to remedy the situation.
• Identifies many possible causes of a problem based on prior experience and current research.
• Quantifies the costs, benefits, risks and chances for success before recommending a course of action.
• Approaches a complex problem by breaking it down into its component parts.
• Chooses among a diverse set of analytical tools according to the nature of the situation.

Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.

• Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending the recipient.
• Listens to feedback without defensiveness and use it for own communication effectiveness.
• Make oral presentations and writes reports needed for own work.
• Avoids technical jargon when inappropriate.
• Looks for and considers non-verbal cues from individuals and groups.

Problem Solving: Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations.

• Ensures capture of lessons to be learned from a problem-solving effort.
• Organizes potential problem solvers and leads problem resolution efforts.
• Uses varying problem-solving approaches and techniques as appropriate.
• Contributes to standard practices for problem-solving approaches, tools, and processes.
• Analyzes and synthesizes information and devises alternative resolution strategies.
• Develops successful resolutions to critical or wide-impact problems.

Technical Excellence: Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.

• Provides effective technical solutions to routine functional challenges via sound technical competence, effectively examining implications of events and issues.
• Effectively performs the technical job aspects, continuously building knowledge and keeping up-to-date on technical and procedural job components.
• Applies technical operating and project standards based on achieving excellence in delivered products, technologies and services.
• Applies current procedures and technologies to help resolve technical issues in one's general area of technical competence.
• Helps others solve technical or procedural problems or issues.

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.

• Provides input for Gantt or PERT charts or their equivalent to track project progress and status.
• Under guidance, plans and estimates simple projects.
• Assists in detailed project plans including cost, schedule, and resource requirements.
• Obtains information from stakeholders during the planning stage of a project.
• Produces standard project status reports.

Education: Requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related discipline.
Additional Information:

• Travel is less than 10%

Caterpillar Inc. is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For nearly 100 years, we've been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed. #LI
Summary Pay Range:
$112,710.00 - $169,060.00
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.
Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Posting Dates:
July 6, 2026 - July 20, 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.
Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.