Machine Test & Development Engineer

Posted:
9/4/2024, 3:20:56 PM

Location(s):
North Carolina, United States ⋅ Clayton, North Carolina, United States

Experience Level(s):
Mid Level

Field(s):
Mechanical Engineering

Workplace Type:
Remote

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.

Caterpillar Inc. currently has an opening for a Machine Test & Development (T&D) Engineer!  This is an exciting opportunity to leverage your engineering expertise doing hands on product testing and development to drive improvements within the Caterpillar Building Construction Products (BCP) Division in the Raleigh, NC area.  The role offers great work variety with over 50% of your time spent in the shop or fields, with the opportunity to learn and gain experience with some of the latest technologies across many different product lines, machine systems, components, and software, and would be a tremendous career building asset.  So, if you like being on the leading edge of product development with an industry leading company, and want to help build a better, more sustainable world, this Machine T&D Engineer role may be right for you.

The Machine T&D Engineer teams with our instrumentation / setup technicians and expert machine operators to help deliver New Product Introduction (NPI) and Current Product Improvement (CPI) projects.  You’ll work in a fantastic environment at our still growing Clayton Machine Development Center (CMDC) facility, in Clayton, NC.  You’ll collaborate with design teams and validation engineers within our product group partners, including Backhoe Loaders (BHL), Mini Hydraulic Excavators (MHE), Small Wheel Loaders (SWL), Small Track Type Tractors (STTT), Work Tool Attachments (WT), and other non-public products of the future while working with advanced technologies such as remote control, autonomy, and electrification. 

The Machine T&D Engineer’s responsibilities include providing high-quality, hands-on machine testing services to further develop machine designs and concepts and to validate that our machines meet design, performance, safety, and customer requirements, including the highest quality and reliability in the industry.  This involves up front test planning and preparation; safe, efficient, and consistent test execution; analyzing data to provide actionable conclusions and recommendations to improve the product; and communicating and documenting test results.  Activities also include identifying opportunities and working on continuous improvement projects to improve our T&D services.   

What You Will Do:

  • Perform pre-test planning with design and validation engineers to discuss and agree upon test objectives and methods.
  • Document test plans with the schedule, instrumentation & data collection, and machine applications and operations needed to fulfill test objectives.
  • Review and follow available standard test procedures, while updating, innovating, and documenting new test methods.
  • Collaborate with support teams to prepare test machines, instrumentation (sensors & data acquisition systems), and test fields & support equipment, while providing ongoing logistical support as needed.
  • Safely execute high quality tests, evaluations, & other development activities on prototype machines in test fields or shop per test schedule.  This includes using assorted external and onboard instrumentation (sensors & data acquisition systems) and may include operating machines and using basic hand tools.
  • Review and analyze test data using various external and proprietary software tools including Data Analysis Toolkit (DATK) and MS Office.
  • Develop clear conclusions and recommendations and document in test reports as needed.
  • Communicate results to product group partners including any unmet objectives, failures, or issues found and collaborate on next steps.
  • Document and archive all test information and share lessons learned with T&D team.
  • Lead or participate in continuous improvement activities to improve CMDC T&D quality, efficiency, and capability.

What You Have:

  • Education: bachelor’s degree in an engineering field or a combination of education and relevant work experience related to performing testing / validation / product development.
  • Technical Excellence: Experience with BHL, MHE, STTT, SWL, WT products or other construction or agricultural machines and/or systems (e.g., engine, hydraulic, drivetrain, electrical, machine software / controls / telematics).  Ability to read engineering schematics.
  • Product Testing: Mechanical aptitude and a desire to be hands-on with 50-60% of your time spent in the shop and outside (year-round) in the test fields, being on and around construction machines.
  • Project Management & Communication: Forward looking self-starter with initiative that effectively manages their time and prioritizes their work.  Proficiency in problem solving, troubleshooting, teamwork, organization, and communication.
  • Driver’s license: A valid driver’s license is required for this position.

Top Candidates will have:

  • Strong preference for a candidate with an engineering degree.
  • Experience with instrumentation and data acquisition systems such as HBM/HBK eDAQ, DEWEsoft, or NI CDAQ.
  • Experience analyzing time series and frequency data using software applications such as DATK, LabVIEW/DIAdem, MATLAB, Aspire, etc  
  • Construction equipment operating experience.
  • Ability to work autonomously at times and function in a team environment.

Additional Info:

  • Location: Clayton, NC
  • Relocation assistance is available for this position.
  • Sponsorship is not available for this position.
  • ISE assignment is not available for this position.
  • Must be willing to travel up to 10% of the time domestically or internationally.
  • Must be able to lift up-to 35 lb.

What You Will Get:

Our goal at Caterpillar is for you to have a rewarding career. Our teams are critical to the success of our customers who build a better world.

Here you earn more than just a salary because we value your performance. We offer a total rewards package that provides day one benefits [medical, dental, vision, RX, and 401(k)] along with the potential of an annual bonus.

Additional benefits include paid vacation days and paid holidays (prorated based upon hire date).

About Caterpillar:

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

Relocation is available for this position.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. This employer is not currently hiring foreign national applicants that require or will require sponsorship tied to a specific employer, such as, H, L, TN, F, J, E, O. As a global company, Caterpillar offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S which can be found through our employment website at www.caterpillar.com/careers.

Posting Dates:

September 4, 2024 - September 18, 2024

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.   

EEO/AA Employer.  All qualified individuals - Including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities - are encouraged to apply.

Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.