Design Engineering Specialist
Caterpillar · Peoria, IL
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $128k–$193k
- Travel
- 25%
- Degree
- Required
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Yesterday
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at Caterpillar (industrial) in Peoria, IL. Develop, correlate, and maintain analytical models to predict structural behavior under static, dynamic, fatigue, vibration, and thermal loading conditions, supporting both new product development and current product improvements.
- They ask for
- degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), Automation, Welding, Casting
- Base pay
- $128k–$193k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage · about 25% travel · 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 $128k–$193k.
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 44% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Typical $89k–$134k, 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 Welding, Casting, 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 does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- The posting says about 25% travel. Between which sites?
- 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 Peoria
2 other open roles at this site · 5 people we found in manufacturing roles at Caterpillar.
- MWL Validation Engineer · Quality
- Manufacturing Engineer · Manufacturing
Full description from CaterpillarAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
What You’ll Do (Job Duties)
- ◆Lead structural analysis and validation of components, systems, and assemblies using finite element analysis (FEA) and other analytical methods to ensure product durability, reliability, and performance
requirements
are met.
- ✓Develop and execute a roadmap to advance MWL Virtual Product Development (VPD) capabilities, accelerating design validation, reducing physical test dependency, and improving product quality and speed-to-market across Heavy and Light Structures.
- ✓Provide technical leadership to build advanced simulation capabilities within MWL team through coaching and mentoring engineers.
- ✓Champion MWL interests EMD and enterprise heavy and light structures communities to influence and accelerate key initiatives.
- ✓Develop, correlate, and maintain analytical models to predict structural behavior under static, dynamic, fatigue, vibration, and thermal loading conditions, supporting both new product development and current product improvements.
- ✓Interpret test data and field performance information to validate analytical predictions, troubleshoot structural concerns, and support root-cause investigations for quality and durability issues.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
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’s EMD division is hiring for Design Engineering Specialist in Peoria, IL!
Role Summary: In this role you will lead regarding structural analysis supporting Heavy and Light Structures, implement new technologies, mentor and coach Design Engineers
What You Have (Core Skills)
- •Degree Requirement: Requires a degree in an accredited Engineering, Computer Science or Materials Science Curriculum.
- •Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.
- •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.
- •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.
- •Computer-Aided Design & Engineering: Knowledge of tools and techniques of specialized graphics programs; ability to produce, analyze, simulate and test product design drafts.
- •Product Development Life Cycle - MFG: Knowledge of the methodology and associated phases, activities and deliverables of product development life cycle in manufacturing organizations; ability to bring new or enhanced products to the marketplace.
- •Troubleshooting Technical Problems: Knowledge of troubleshooting approaches, tools and techniques; ability to anticipate, detect and resolve technical problems in a product development environment.
Top Candidates Will Also Have
- •Advanced Structural Analysis: Expertise in FEA and structural mechanics, including nonlinear, dynamic, fatigue, buckling, vibration, and thermal-stress analysis.
- •Model Validation and Engineering Judgment: Ability to develop accurate load cases, correlate models with test and field data, recognize simulation limitations, and assess technical risk.
- •Materials, Joining, and Manufacturability: Strong knowledge of metals, weldments, bolted joints, castings, forgings, and manufacturing effects on structural durability and performance.
- •Design Optimization and Problem Solving: Proven ability to investigate failures, determine root causes, and optimize designs for strength, weight, cost, durability, and manufacturability.
- •Technical Leadership and Innovation: Ability to lead technical reviews, mentor engineers, improve simulation methods and standards, and use automation or data-analysis tools to strengthen organizational capability.
Additional Details
- •Work location: Peoria, IL
- •Domestic relocation assistance IS available for this role
- •Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this role.
- •Travel: 25% domestic and international
- •This position requires 5 days per week in the office (M-F)
Summary Pay Range
$128,470.00 - $192,710.00
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.
Posting Dates
October 22, 2026 - November 8, 2026
Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.