Career Area:Job Description:2027 Entry Level Suppler Technical EngineerUnder close supervision, the supplier technical engineer participates in engineering activities, learning Solar methods and procedures for design, research, development, test, and installation of Solar turbomachinery products. The supplier technical engineer completes assignments under direction of more experienced engineers. Work is normally performed according to specific, detailed instructions, with latitude to act independently increasing with the individual's professional development.
Graduate engineers can be assigned various rotations through the above activities, spending 2 - 6 months in departments within turbomachinery engineering.
This supplier technical engineering (STE) role supports the DeSoto, Texas turbine overhaul activities:
- Supplier Technical Engineers have technical accountability for ensuring that parts produced by suppliers meet Solar's requirements.
- They communicate technical requirements with suppliers, perform engineering specification review, provide Configuration Management input, manage Enterprise Resource Planning software (ERP) setups, tooling management, and follow up on any technical production support needs at the supplier.
- Collaborates with Sourcing Specialist, Buyer, Supply Chain Coordinator, other Solar Engineering Subject Matter Expert and Supplier to improve supplier cost, quality, and throughput.
- Able to understand supplier technical issues and provide ideas and solutions to resolve complex and challenging problems.
- Provide technical direction/collaboration on remanufactured turbomachinery components with Aftermarket Design Engineering for reparability considerations.
- Evaluate suppliers for a wide range of (re)manufacturing capabilities (welding, brazing, coating, etc.) provide technical support in the supplier selection and development processes.
- Provides leadership in the resolution of quality problems associated with the purchased/subcontracted materials, including containment, continued production support, and Root Cause and Corrective Action investigation.
- Develops and maintains thorough knowledge of technological developments and trends for guidance of commodity teams in advancements of design, quality, and (re)manufacturing.
- Coordinates with engineering personnel on matters regarding Concurrent Product and Process Development (CPPD), and New Product Introduction (NPI).
- Participate in design and process Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) Works with Design Engineering to Disposition Reject Notices (RNs) and RTAs (Request for Technical Authorization) Leads the PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) and develops the FAPITP (First Article Production Inspection Test Plan) with initial input from Design/Repair Development Engineering.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Must have Engineering degree (preferred degrees include: mechanical, industrial or manufacturing)
- 0-3 years of technical experience
- Must be willing to travel 25% (Ability to travel internationally)
- Minimum of a 2.8 overall GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Willing to relocate/be in DeSoto, TX
- Must support in-office work (Onsite)
- Engineering practices & process planning (interpretation of drawings, tooling concepts, NDT, Functional Test, etc.)
- Strong analytical problem-solving skills, ability to use and communicate statistical and problem solving tools
- Project Management skills
- Corrective action and root cause analysis skills
Preferred Qualifications:
- Internships/coops/academic research/project work in manufacturing, design, process engineering
- Turbomachinery experience - design / manufacturing / hands-on / field experience
- Understanding of manufacturing processes used to produce components and assemblies (turning, milling, etc.) and knowledge of shop operations and maintenance procedures.
- Understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles.
- Design Engineering skills (including mechanical design experience, GD&T, and the use of Pro-E/CADD).
- Technical product knowledge (including metallurgy, coatings).
Summary Pay Range:$92,500, to $118,000.
Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.
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
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:July 16, 2026 - July 21, 2026
Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.
