Manufacturing Engineer - Tool Design Expert
Caterpillar · East Peoria, IL
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $89k–$134k
- Degree
- Preferred
- Experience asked
- 7+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Yesterday
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at Caterpillar (industrial) in East Peoria, IL. If you wish to know the status of your application – please use the candidate log-in on our career website as it will reflect any updates to your status.
- They ask for
- 7+ years · degree preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), Machining, Tooling
- Base pay
- $89k–$134k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage · relocation help
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
Your game plan for this job
Most people just hit Apply. Do these first and you show up with someone on the inside.
- 1
Find 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at this site
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply most.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
Ask about the work, not for a referral. We write it for you.
- 3
Have a 15-minute chat
Good questions for this role:
- 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?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply, ideally with a referral
Ask if they'd refer you or introduce you to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link and tell them the day you apply.
- 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.
About the role
What you will do
- ◆Coordinates Design, test, build, run-off and application of jigs and fixtures with design engineering and production teams.
- ◆Develops, analyzes and manages Manufacturing/ Tool Design Projects. Assists in developing department capital and expense budgets. Aids in maintaining the department capital forecast.
- ◆Work assignments may be specialized in nature for tooling but may also be broad based with coordination between other staff personnel to complete a larger project.
- ◆Works with internal and external suppliers to develop and manage projects to ensure efficient and cost-effective systems and processes to produce quality products.
- ◆Engages in creative problem solving to address operational issues including ergonomic/ safety, efficiency improvements, process bottlenecks, quality concerns.
- ◆Designs, develops and implements the integration of manufacturing systems as they relate to tooling in both machining and assembly value steams.
What you must have (skills)
- ✓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.
- ✓Judgment and Decision Making : Knowledge of the decision-making process; ability to carefully evaluate the impact of emerging business situations and choose the best path forward communicating actions and activities that maximize organizational performance.
- ✓Lean Manufacturing : 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 Equipment: Knowledge of the electrical, mechanical and logistics equipment used in manufacturing; ability to safely operate, maintain, update and store them.
- ✓Manufacturing Processes: Knowledge of existing product manufacturing methods, technologies and processes; ability to execute, plan, manage and monitor the entire manufacturing process.
- ✓Manufacturing Safety : Knowledge of manufacturing safety; ability to identify work-related hazards and perform necessary activities to meet regulatory
requirements
for the safety and protection of workers, environment and site.
- ✓Manufacturing Standards, Procedures and Policies: Knowledge of organizational standards, procedures and policies in manufacturing activities; ability to plan, guide, and monitor manufacturing processes for compliance.
- ✓Problem Management Process - MFG : Knowledge of manufacturing problem management processes, methodologies and techniques; ability to use a disciplined approach to bringing that problem to a successful resolution.
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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.
Role Definition
Caterpillar's Integrated Drivetrain Energy Solutions (IDES) division is looking for multiple Manufacturing Engineers with expertise in Tool Design!! Come be apart of a growing team
The Manufacturing Engineer (Tool Design Expert) is expected to function as a specialist with respect to a specific technical phase of the planning function and which generally falls within the major areas of planning, tooling, maintenance, plant engineering, releasing, machine shop, assembly, etc. wherever a specific technical assignment may be needed.
Degree Requirement
- •Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience desired.
Top Candidates will also have
- •Appropriate technical or university degree combined with 5 - 7 years of appropriate manufacturing experience or a minimum of 10 years as a Manufacturing Engineer experience.
- •Experience within machine shop, gage design and other manufacturing.
- •Thorough knowledge of manufacturing concepts
- •Experience leading drivetrain capital projects, layout improvements, working with contractors and other manufacturing related project management.
- •Experience with manufacturing support activities including test and validation of complex assembly processes.
- •Experience within electric drive system manufacturing development.
Additional Information
- •This posting will close on 11/4/2026 at 11:59 p.m.
- •The location for this position will be onsite 5 days a week in East Peoria, IL (Building KK).
- •Relocation assistance NOT is available for this position.
- •Sponsorship is NOT available.
- •This position may require less than 10% travel.
Final details
Please frequently check the email associated with your application, including the junk/spam folder, as this is the primary correspondence method. If you wish to know the status of your application – please use the candidate log-in on our career website as it will reflect any updates to your status.
#LI #MilitaryMonday #Letsdothework #caterpillarinc #Iamcaterpillar
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 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*
- •Volunt