Manufacturing Engineer - CNC Programmer
Caterpillar · East Peoria, IL
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $98k–$146k
- Travel
- 5%
- Degree
- Preferred
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Yesterday
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at Caterpillar (industrial) in East Peoria, IL. Create, validate, and maintain CNC programs for multi-axis machining and turning centers, including process prove-out and production support activities.
- They ask for
- degree preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, Root cause, Robotics, Automation, CNC, Machining
- Base pay
- $98k–$146k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage · about 5% travel · relocation help
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 CNC, CATIA / NX, 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 5% 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 East Peoria
7 other open roles at this site · 4 people we found in manufacturing roles at Caterpillar.
- Sr.Test & Validation Engineer (machine controls) · Quality
- Automation & Controls Engineer · Controls
- Manufacturing Technician · Manufacturing · Technician
- Manufacturing Engineer - Tool Design Expert · Manufacturing
- Test & Validation Controls Engineer(2nd shift) · Quality
- Industrial Electrician - 2nd Shift - East Peoria Undercarriage BB · Reliability · Technician
Full description from CaterpillarAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Job Summary
As a Manufacturing Engineer - CNC Programmer in East Peoria, Illinois, you will provide technical expertise that improves the safety, quality, cost, reliability, and efficiency of complex manufacturing operations. You will evaluate production equipment and processes, identify improvement opportunities, and help implement sustainable engineering solutions.
This position combines hands-on manufacturing support with lean manufacturing, process improvement, equipment reliability, collaborative automation, and project execution. You will work closely with operations, technical teams, and support functions to solve manufacturing challenges and strengthen production capability. The successful candidate will use data, sound engineering judgment, and structured problem-solving to turn operational needs into practical results.
Key Responsibilities
- ◆Develop, optimize, and sustain safe, efficient manufacturing and tooling processes for machining complex components used in heavy equipment production.
- ◆Create, validate, and maintain CNC programs for multi-axis machining and turning centers, including process prove-out and production support activities.
- ◆Design, engineer, and specify tooling, workholding, fixtures, jigs, machine setup requirements, and related manufacturing solutions to improve quality, safety, and productivity.
- ◆Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation, including operation specifications, work instructions, setup drawings, tooling standards, cycle time analyses, and process sheets.
- ◆Lead root cause analysis, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives addressing safety, quality, throughput, cost, reliability, and process bottlenecks.
- ◆Evaluate, implement, and support manufacturing equipment, tooling, automation, process improvements, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
- ◆Manage technical projects involving new equipment, tooling, software, facility enhancements, and process development, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, and execution.
Required Skills
- ✓Manufacturing Engineering: Working knowledge of manufacturing engineering methods, equipment, specifications, standards, and practices, with the ability to support the design, installation, maintenance, or improvement of production processes.
- ✓Manufacturing Processes: Ability to create, evaluate, and optimize manufacturing processes and CNC programs, including process controls, manufacturing standards, production activities, and deliverables, while driving the adoption of modern manufacturing technologies.
- ✓Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Ability to gather and organize relevant information, define problems, consider stakeholder perspectives, evaluate risks and benefits, and recommend productive solutions.
- ✓Lean Manufacturing: Working knowledge of lean principles, work-cell considerations, waste reduction, lean assessment tools, and measures of manufacturing effectiveness.
- ✓Project Management: Ability to contribute to project plans, cost and schedule estimates, resource requirements, progress tracking, stakeholder coordination, and status reporting.
- ✓Education or Equivalent Experience: A degree or equivalent practical experience is desired for this position.
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.
Manufacturing Engineer - CNC Programmer
Location: East Peoria, IL (LL)
Travel: Up to 5%
Relocation Assistance: Available
Visa Sponsorship: Not Available
Preferred Skills
- +Experience supporting manufacturing equipment, production processes, factory operations, or process improvement in a complex or high-volume manufacturing environment.
- +Experience with Creo and NX NC programming, including toolpath development, program verification, post-processor evaluation and modification, and machining process optimization.
- +Experience with collaborative automation, collaborative robots, robot risk assessments, automation testing, or deployment of automated manufacturing solutions.
- +Familiarity with manufacturing problem-solving and continuous-improvement approaches such as root-cause analysis, process mapping, waste reduction, standard work, or production-performance analysis.
- +Experience coordinating engineering projects involving equipment changes, manufacturing-process modifications, cost estimates, schedules, suppliers, or cross-functional stakeholders.
- +Ability to communicate technical findings clearly and coach operations or technical personnel through process, equipment, or technology changes.
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 Development*
- •Incentive bonus*
- •Disability benefits
- •Life Insurance
- •Parental leave
- •Adoption benefits
- •Tuition Reimbursement
- •These benefits also apply to part-time employees
Posting Dates
November 2, 2026 - November 15, 2026
Any offer of employment