
Manufacturing Engineer
Caterpillar · Pontiac, IL
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $89k–$134k
- Degree
- Preferred
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Today
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at Caterpillar (industrial) in Pontiac, IL. Experience supporting equipment improvements, installations, or process changes from concept through implementation.
- They ask for
- degree preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, Control plans, Automation, CNC, Machining
- Base pay
- $89k–$134k
- Day to day
- relocation help
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Illinois: typical posted base $96k–$155k. This one lists $89k–$134k.
Median of the low and high ends of 18 live postings that list pay, out of 34 manufacturing engineer openings in Illinois, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Illinois plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 33 other live manufacturing postings in Illinois.
- Base pay
- About 5% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Typical $89k–$145k, from 15 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Root cause 59%
- ✓ Automation 53%
- ✓ Lean 50%
- ✓ New product launch 32%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 32%
- Cost reduction 26%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for CNC, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Caterpillar
We found 5 people at this company and state: 3 in this kind of role, 2 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to J. → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Caterpillar in Pontiac
2 other open roles at this site · 5 people we found in manufacturing roles at Caterpillar.
- Product Change Control Engineer · Controls
- Quality Engineer - Metrology · Quality
Full description from CaterpillarAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Job Summary
Provides engineering support across manufacturing operations to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable production processes. The Manufacturing Engineer works with operations, quality, and support teams to maintain and improve equipment performance, implement process changes, and support new product introduction. This role is responsible for monitoring process performance, resolving technical issues, and driving continuous improvement in safety, quality, cost, and delivery.
What you will do
· Support manufacturing operations by improving process capability, equipment reliability, and product quality
· Participate in identifying and implementing processes improvements
· Monitor process performance and equipment reliability; identify and address problem areas through structured problem solving
· Analyze engineering change notices and implement required process or part changes
· Provide engineering support for planning, development, operation, and maintenance of manufacturing equipment and processes
· Develop and maintain work instructions, control plans, and process documentation to ensure standardization and compliance
· Support new product introduction activities to ensure manufacturability and stable launch performance
· Participate in continuous improvement initiatives (lean, waste reduction, problem solving) to improve safety, quality, velocity, and cost
· Work with internal teams and suppliers to implement process improvements and resolve technical issues
· Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and manufacturing standards
Degree Requirement
responsibilities
· Experience applying structured problem-solving methods to resolve recurring production issues
· Experience supporting equipment improvements, installations, or process changes from concept through implementation
· Ability to prioritize work and manage multiple issues in a fast-paced production environment
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Career Area
Manufacturing
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.
Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.
When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team that 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.
What you will have
Collaborative Automation: Basic knowledge of techniques and processes of collaborative automation; ability to develop and deploy cobots to automate manufacturing processes.
Engineering - MFG: Working knowledge of processes, techniques and methods of engineering in a manufacturing environment; ability to design and implement materials, structures, machines, devices, systems and processes that safely realize a desired objective or invention.
Lean Manufacturing: Basic knowledge of the philosophy, principles and implementation approaches of lean manufacturing; ability to integrate and implement lean manufacturing philosophy into existing production and management processes.
Manufacturing Processes: Working knowledge of existing product manufacturing methods, technologies and processes; ability to execute, plan, manage and monitor the entire manufacturing process.
Problem Solving : Basic 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.
Top Candidates will also have
· Extensive experience in CNC machining and programming, with a deep understanding of metal cutting processes like turning, milling, and swiss-style machines.
· Proficiency in G&M coding reading and writing.
· Experience supporting machining, assembly, or automated manufacturing processes in a production environment
· Demonstrated ability to lead or influence process improvements beyond assigned
Additional Information
· This position requires working onsite five days a week in Pontiac.
· Relocation is available for this position.
· Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Finals Details
Please ensure you frequently sign in to your candidate home for any updates or correspondence for positions that you have applied for. https://cat.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/CaterpillarCareers .
This Job Description is intended as a general guide to the job duties for this position and is intended for the purpose of establishing the specific salary grade. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive summary of all responsibilities, duties and effort required of employees assigned to this job. At the discretion of management, this description may be changed at any time to address the evolving needs of the organization. It is expressly not intended to be a comprehensive list of “essential job functions” as that term is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Summary Pay Range
$89,210.00 - $133,810.00
Benefits
Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.
- •Medical, dental, and visi
