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.

Are you looking for the opportunity to leverage your engineering expertise to make an impact in building a better world? If so, have an exciting opportunity for you to join the Peoria Proving Ground (PPG) team at Caterpillar as an Engineering Specialist - Validation!

Role Summary: This highly visible role will help to ensure that CAT machines meet our end user’s quality expectations by promoting validation earlier in the product development cycle. You will be heavily involved in moving motor grader validation activities forward in time, into the concept and design phases of new product programs through solid program planning and execution. Role will interface with system & component design teams as well as machine level leaders to define validation requirements, plans, and monitor program health. Your planning will result in test machines (i.e. testbed, prototype, pilot, etc.) that arrive at any Proving Ground or customer site for machine validation in good operating condition, technical & program risks quantified, and machine & system validation plans are thoroughly documented.

What You’ll Do (Job Duties)

• Maintaining solid connections between product groups and process partners
• Leading a strong test and development team partnering with product design and safety teams
• Creating a validation strategy and activity plan in collaboration with systems and global machine development groups
• Determining program validation costs based on development plans
• Educating product groups on validation expectations and key processes
• Driving usage of tools to evaluate the effectiveness of the validation activity plan on critical failure modes, and direct activities to mitigate risk
• Monitoring and reporting on new product (NPI) program health
• Meeting with global design teams during off shift hours depending on project needs
• Mentoring junior engineers in the team.

What You Have (Core Skills)

• Degree Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related fields.
• Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
• 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.
• Technical Excellence: Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.
• 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.
• Product Testing: Knowledge of product testing approaches, techniques and tools; ability to design, plan and execute testing strategies and tactics to ensure product quality at all stages of manufacturing.

Top Candidates Will Also Have

• Demonstrated technical leadership ability including ability to communicate cross functionally
• Experience managing multiple projects
• Willing and able to attend regular (off shift) meetings during the week (predominantly China and India)
• Machine/lab test experience strongly preferred
• Experience working with a global team
• Communicating with various stakeholders including but not limited to Product Managers, Chief Engineers, Vice President.
• Highly developed skills in program management, and customer relations are essential.

Additional Details

• Work location: Peoria, IL
• Domestic relocation assistance IS available for this role.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
• Travel: Upto 15% domestic and international.  
• This position requires 5 days per week in the office (M-F)

Summary Pay Range:

$128,470.00 - $192,710.00

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.

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:

January 13, 2026 - January 26, 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.

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