Manufacturing Engineer

Key Responsibilities

• New Product Introduction (NPI):
• Lead manufacturing engineering activities for a new Wheel Loader program, including process design and line setup.
• Support transition from concept (“paper”) to production, ensuring manufacturability and cost efficiency.
• Automation & Advanced Manufacturing:
• Cab Assembly Process
• Develop and implement automated conveyance systems, AGVs/AMRs, and explore cobots for assembly operations.
• Collaborate on vision system integration for in-process quality control and AI-driven final audits.
• Campus & Facility Planning:
• Conduct capacity and traffic flow analysis for campus expansion and consolidation.
• Support virtual modeling of current vs. future state layouts to optimize material flow and product distribution.
• Assembly Process Optimization:
• Drive ergonomic improvements and process safety by replacing cranes with automated solutions.
• Oversee implementation of automated assembly for CAB systems and ensure compliance with safety standards.
• Continuous Improvement:
• Apply Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to identify bottlenecks and improve throughput.
• Ensure flexibility of automation solutions for redeployment within the facility.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
• Work closely with operations, facility engineering, and external partners to develop Statements of Work (SOWs) for strategic projects.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering (or related field).
• 10 years of experience in manufacturing engineering within heavy equipment or automotive industries.
• Proven expertise in automation technologies (AGVs, AMRs, cobots) and vision systems.
• Strong knowledge of Lean manufacturing, process safety, and ergonomics.
• Experience with capacity planning and facility layout optimization.

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with Caterpillar manufacturing systems and standards.
• Experience with digital simulation tools for factory planning.
• Project management skills with ability to lead cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.

Work Environment

• On-site role at Caterpillar’s Clayton, NC facility.
• Requires collaboration with multiple departments and occasional travel for supplier or technology evaluations.