
Manufacturing Engineer
Caterpillar · Pontiac, IL
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $98k–$146k
- Travel
- 25%
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Yesterday
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at Caterpillar (industrial) in Pontiac, IL. To provide a smooth transition from NPI to full production for Operation.
- They ask for
- degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, FMEA, APQP, PLC, Robotics
- Base pay
- $98k–$146k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage · about 25% travel
- Openings
- 3 with this title at this site
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Illinois: typical posted base $98k–$146k. This one lists $98k–$146k.
Median of the low and high ends of 22 live postings that list pay, out of 48 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 47 other live manufacturing postings in Illinois.
- Base pay
- In line with similar roles
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Typical $96k–$145k, from 18 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Root cause 46%
- ✓ Automation 44%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 38%
- ✓ Lean 35%
- ✓ New product launch 27%
- ✓ Tooling 27%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for APQP, 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 4 people at this company and state: 2 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 Pontiac
3 other open roles at this site · 4 people we found in manufacturing roles at Caterpillar.
- Supplier Quality Engineer - Aftertreatment · Quality
- Aftertreatment Manufacturing Engineer - NPI · Manufacturing
- Product Change Control Engineer · Controls
Manufacturing Engineer at Caterpillar in other locations
Caterpillar lists this title in 3 places. Pick the plant you can get to.
- North Little Rock, AR · $89k–$134k
- Peoria, IL · $89k–$134k
Full description from CaterpillarAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Job Summary
The Manufacturing Engineer provides the technical expertise necessary to design, develop, and implement manufacturing systems, complex manufacturing operations and sophisticated machines. This is a staff position which 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: planning, tooling, maintenance, plant engineering, releasing, manufacturing processes, assembly, capital projects, etc.
What you will do
- ◆Develops, analyzes, and manages Manufacturing/ Assembly Projects. Assists in developing department capital and expense budgets. Maintains the department capital forecast.
- ◆Administers the assembly NPI process to ensure that Engineering drawings are released and processed on time for NPI build.
- ◆Create and implement APQP and SFMEA (Safety) for new equipment and process. To provide a smooth transition from NPI to full production for Operation.
- ◆Engages in creative problem solving to address operational issues including ergonomic/ safety, efficiency improvements, process bottlenecks, quality concerns.
- ◆Works with internal and external suppliers to develop and manage projects to ensure efficient and cost-effective systems and processes to produce quality products.
- ◆Provides the application, procurement, processing, installation, and capability of assembly and test processes and equipment.
- ◆Designs, develops, and implements the integration of manufacturing systems including factory control software, scheduling techniques, simulation, and systems application. EOL testing and analysis experience a plus.
- ◆Design and integrate automation it existing manufacturing equipment.
- ◆Work with Metrology engineer to some up with advance gage solutions for new and existing product to improve the quality.
- ◆Provides manufacturing technical support in process control and internal certification.
- ◆Coordinates the purchase and application of machine tools, controls, and related equipment corporate wide to ensure the latest technology is being used to increase efficiency and= economy of operations.
- ◆Knowledge of manufacturing concepts, Soft and Hard machining, CAD software
- ◆Prior Project Management experience
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 make progress and innovation happen, helping our customers build a better, more sustainable world.
Degree Requirement
Bachelor’s degree in engineering or industrial technology or equivalent experience
What you will have
Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Working knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
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.
Manufacturing Processes: Working knowledge of existing product manufacturing methods, technologies and processes; ability to execute, plan, manage and monitor the entire manufacturing process.
Project Management: Working 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.
Top candidates will possess
- •Automation system experience including PLCs and robots used in assembly, deburring.
- •Previous machine tools process (CNC) experience
- •Grinding and Honing processes
- •Diesel and fuel system experience
- •Supplier collaboration and management experience
- •APQP experience
- •6 Sigma and Lean Manufacturing concepts
Additional Information
- •This position requires the selected candidate to work on-site five days a week in the Pontiac, IL facility.
- •Domestic relocation provided
- •Visa sponsorship is NOT provided
- •Travel – 25% both domestic and international
Final 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 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
Summary Pay Range
$97,530.00 - $146,290.00
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 Developme
