Career Area:

Engineering

Job Description:

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

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Senior Engineer – Heavy Structures Design  

Location: Decatur, IL (In office 5 days a week)
Travel: Up to 15%
Relocation Assistance: Available
Visa Sponsorship: Not Offered

Job Summary:

The Rigid Frame Trucks Heavy Structures team is currently seeking an experienced Senior Design Engineer located in Decatur, IL. The team has Heavy Structures design control for both Off Highway (770-777 series) Trucks and Large Mining (785-798 series) Trucks. The engineers on the team gain broad exposure to design, analysis, test, manufacturing, and supplier collaboration. The selected candidate will play an important role in developing and continuously improving the quality, cost, and features on the equipment they design. We have a fabulous team that does some of the most exciting work at Caterpillar, and we can’t wait for you to join the team!

What you will do:

• Design Heavy Structures – primarily focused on the frames for our Off Highway Trucks
• Utilize CREO to create highly integrated designs within machine platforms.
• Utilize virtual analysis to predict design robustness in addition to cost and weight optimization
• Allocate time to NPI, CPI, maintenance, process improvement, and personal development
• Support Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) process and Concurrent Product and Process Development (CPPD) activity to ensure components are developed to meet time, cost, and quality requirements within budget.
• Prioritize workload and create delegation plans to improve time, cost, and quality metrics
• Communicate progress & results to customers, suppliers, team members, and functional community
• Identify opportunities to share deep technical expertise and mentor others
• Travel to suppliers, manufacturing facilities, and customers domestically and internationally

Degree Requirement:
Bachelor’s Degree in an accredited Engineering program

What Skills you will have:

Product Design and Development:

• Proficiency in CREO or other CAD tools.
• Familiarity with Finite Element Analysis tools such as Creo Simulate or similar.
• Engages appropriate subject matter resources to effectively resolve technical issues.
• Experience with Caterpillar processes such NPI and CPI

Managing Multiple Priorities:

• Effectively prioritize tasks to meet deadlines and achieve organizational goals.
• Balance competing demands and manage time efficiently.
• Adapt to changing priorities and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Effective Communications:

• Experience with collaboration tools and processes such as APQP and CPPD.
• Willing and able to collaborate with international teams in various time zones.

Top Candidates will also have:
 

• Previous experience designing fabrications.
• Caterpillar component and systems knowledge.
• Proficiency in CREO Simulate or other CAE tools.
• Executed all phases of a new product development program.
• Experience collaborating with Cat manufacturers or suppliers to optimize designs for manufacturability.
• Experience directing the work of other design and detailing resources to achieve design goals.
• Personal experience in executing APQP from beginning to end.
• Hands-on experience (e.g.  machinery, heavy equipment, manufacturing, etc.

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.

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 20, 2026 - February 3, 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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