Test & Validation Engineer - Drivetrain
Caterpillar · Mossville, IL
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Quality
- Base pay
- $98k–$146k
- Travel
- 10%
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Today
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level quality role at Caterpillar (industrial) in Mossville, IL.
- They ask for
- 3+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause, FMEA, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ)
- Base pay
- $98k–$146k
- Day to day
- about 10% travel · relocation help
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Quality Engineer roles in Illinois: typical posted base $98k–$132k. This one lists $98k–$146k.
Median of the low and high ends of 42 live postings that list pay, out of 56 quality 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 55 other live quality postings in Illinois.
- Base pay
- About 11% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (3+ vs 4+)
Typical $96k–$123k, from 36 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 4+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Root cause 50%
- ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 46%
- Supplier quality 45%
- Team leadership 34%
- ✓ FMEA 32%
- SPC 32%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention 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 Quality team at Caterpillar
We found 9 people at this company and state: 5 in this kind of role, 4 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 Aaron → (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?
- Which standards drive the work here: ISO 13485, IATF 16949, AS9100?
- How much of the job is customer complaints versus prevention?
- The posting says about 10% travel. Between which sites?
- 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 Mossville
8 other open roles at this site · 9 people we found in quality roles at Caterpillar.
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- Senior Validation Engineer - Autonomy Scalability (2nd Shift) · Quality · Senior
- Test and Validation Engineer · Quality
- Electronic Systems Verification and Validation Engineer · Quality
- Battery Control Systems Engineering Specialist · Controls
- Engineering Manager · Manufacturing · Manager
Full description from CaterpillarAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Job Summary
Join IDES as a Test & Validation Engineer and play a key role in shaping the performance, durability, and reliability of Caterpillar drivetrain products. Based at the Tech Center in Mossville, IL, you’ll work at the intersection of drivetrain design, controls, and validation, using system-level engineering expertise to solve complex technical challenges and influence product development. This is an exciting opportunity for an engineer who enjoys hands-on testing, problem solving, and seeing their work make a direct impact on both new and existing products.
What You Will Do
- ◆Collaborate with design, controls, manufacturing, global, and cross-functional teams to define validation requirements, influence design decisions, and support product quality.
- ◆Plan, prepare, and execute laboratory and system-level validation testing for drivetrain components and systems, including test setup, instrumentation, and data acquisition requirements.
- ◆Analyze and interpret complex data sets, evaluate results against requirements, identify performance gaps, and document conclusions in clear technical reports.
- ◆Apply systems-level thinking to assess component interactions and evaluate tradeoffs between performance, durability, reliability, quality, and cost.
- ◆Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware, software, test unit, and data acquisition issues during validation testing.
- ◆Perform inspections, failure analysis, and structured root cause investigations to support timely issue resolution.
- ◆Support NPI and CPI programs, including build events, validation activities, product risk identification, and issue resolution.
- ◆Drive continuous improvement through standard work, lessons learned, and best practices in test and validation processes.
- ◆Manage test activities, lab support resources, schedules, and cost targets to ensure timely delivery.
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.
About IDES
Caterpillar’s Integrated Drivetrain Energy Solutions (IDES) division will focus on delivering advanced electrified power train, zero-emissions products/technologies, and the solutions and services associated with these technologies. Focus areas include batteries, fuel cells, motors, inverters, micro grid controllers, charging, energy storage systems, lifecycle solutions/services and integration of components for ePowertrain solutions across industries.
We are looking for top talent to build and scale the next generation of technologies, products and services to help our customers build a better—more sustainable—world. We need self-motivated, intelligent and team-oriented individuals to make our plans a reality. Individuals with high emotional intelligence, humility and openness to discovery will thrive in the teams we are building.
What You Will Have
- •Bachelor’s degree in an accredited engineering curriculum or significant Product Development experience required.
- •Analytical Thinking: Working knowledge. Transforms complex test data into meaningful engineering insights through comparisons, evidence-based analysis, and clear evaluation of risks, benefits, and outcomes.
- •Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Working knowledge an understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of accuracy.
- •Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Working knowledge. Objectively evaluates assumptions, alternatives, risks, and tradeoffs to recommend effective courses of action.
- •Effective Communications: Working knowledge. Tailors technical information for diverse audiences, influences decisions through data-driven reasoning, and drives alignment across teams, leadership, and internal customers.
- •Technical Excellence: Working knowledge. Demonstrates knowledge of drivetrain systems, including mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, software integration, failure modes, application profiles, and validation methods for performance and durability.
- •Project Management: Working knowledge. Plans, prioritizes, and coordinates work across projects and cross-functional teams while managing schedules, resources, risks, and stakeholder expectations.
- •Product Testing: Working knowledge. Develops test stand specifications, applies FMEA-based test methodologies for rotating systems, and selects effective testing strategies to ensure product quality, safety, and reliability.
- •Troubleshooting Technical Problems: Working knowledge. Applies structured troubleshooting and advanced diagnostics to isolate root causes, resolve complex technical and data acquisition issues, assess business impact, and restore system performance safely.
Top Candidates Will Have
- •A Mechanical Engineering degree
- •3+ years of engineering experience developing drivetrains, engines, wheel and brake systems, or rotating mechanical systems
- •Powertrain testing experience
- •Experience with heavy equipment or off-highway machines (construction, mining, ag, or marine)
- •Knowledge of lubrication, tribology, or materials and metallurgy
- •Ownership mindset with a strong customer-focused approach
Additional Information
- •This position is onsite 5 days per week at Tech Center Building G in Mossville, IL.
- •Domestic relocation assistance is available.
- •Visa sponsorship is not available.
- •Travel is expected to be less than 10%.
Summary Pay Range
$97,530.00 - $146,290.00