Caterpillar, Inc

Associate CAD Design Engineer - Electric Power

Caterpillar, Inc$72K — $108K *
Energy & Utilities
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Materials Science, or related field preferred.
  • Practical hands-on experience in electrical design or controls may substitute for a degree.
  • Experience with AutoCAD Electrical or intelligent electrical CAD software is a plus.
  • Familiarity with UL 508A control panel design standards and utility power distribution systems is beneficial.
  • Knowledge of PLC-based generator control systems and communication protocols is desirable.

Responsibilities

  • Interpret customer specifications and ensure compliance with electrical codes and standards.
  • Create detailed electrical designs and drawings using AutoCAD Electrical.
  • Develop and maintain bills of materials (BOMs) and coordinate with ERP systems.
  • Provide technical direction and documentation for purchasing and procurement activities.
  • Support production teams by addressing design questions and resolving issues during manufacturing.
  • Research materials and components to enhance design improvements and product evolution.
  • Assist with prototype builds and contribute to testing and validation of designs.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits available.
  • Paid time off plan including vacation and holidays.
  • 401(k) savings plans offered.
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) options provided.
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) available.
  • Career development opportunities provided.
  • Incentive bonuses may be offered.
  • Tuition reimbursement is available for further education.
Full Job Description
Career Area:
Engineering

Job Description:

Job Summary

As part of Caterpillar's fastest-growing Electric Power Division, this role supports the design and delivery of high-volume power solutions for customers across essential industries. You'll work closely with engineering and production teams, creating electrical drawings and documentation that directly support manufacturing and customer needs. This position offers hands-on experience with clear runway to grow into deeper power systems and controls work.

What You Will Do
  • Interpret customer specifications, schematics, and drawings, ensuring designs comply with applicable codes and standards such as NEC, UL (508, 891, 1558, MV), CSA 22.2, and ANSI requirements
  • Create detailed electrical wiring, panel, and layout drawings using AutoCAD Electrical
  • Develop and maintain bills of materials (BOMs) within the CAD system and coordinate release to the ERP system
  • Provide technical direction and documentation to support purchasing and procurement activities
  • Support production teams during equipment manufacturing by addressing design questions and resolving drawing issues
  • Apply working knowledge of PLC-based generator control systems, including interfacing with various communication protocols
  • Research new materials, components, and competitive products to support design improvements and product evolution
  • Assist with prototype builds, testing, and analysis to validate designs and support continuous improvement efforts
  • Collaborate with supply specialists and buyers to support supplier development and performance initiatives
  • Develop and document functional requirements and translate them into detailed design documentation
  • Support proposal development, cost estimates, and technical documentation as needed


Degree Requirement

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Materials Science, or a related field preferred. Candidates with significant practical, hands-on experience in electrical design or controls may be considered without a degree.

What You Will Have
  • Analytical Thinking: Basic understanding and knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.
    • Names specific tools or techniques that can be used to support the analytical thinking process.
    • Describes specific software applications or products used for business analytics.
    • Gives examples of how analytical thinking has been used to resolve problems.
    • Helps others research and learn more about business analytics tools and applications.


  • Effective Communications: Working knowledge and understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
    • Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending the recipient.
    • Listens to feedback without defensiveness and uses it for own communication effectiveness.
    • Makes oral presentations and writes reports needed for own work.
    • Avoids technical jargon when inappropriate.
    • Looks for and considers non-verbal cues from individuals and groups.


  • Managing Multiple Priorities: Basic understanding and knowledge of effective self-management practices; ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments as to prioritizing and time allocation.
    • Explains basic concepts of time and priority management.
    • Seeks guidance in detecting and addressing priority conflicts.
    • States own business priorities.
    • Describes team or unit priorities.


  • Technical Excellence: Basic understanding and knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.
    • Uses a structured approach in analyzing and resolving technical problems.
    • Seeks opportunities for continual learning to maintain technical competence in pursuit of technical excellence.
    • Provides examples or case studies demonstrating technical excellence in actual business scenarios.
    • Pursues, prepares for and assumes new technical assignments and challenges.


  • Computer-Aided Design & Engineering: Working knowledge of tools and techniques of specialized graphics programs; ability to produce, analyze, simulate and test product design drafts.
    • Generates specifications for parts or components with CAD software.
    • Reuses design components via reusable libraries following standard procedures.
    • Uses CAD to perform basic drafting such as wire frames, solid objects and array of objects.
    • Performs routine changes to computerized schematics or drawings.
    • Creates views of objects in 2 and 3 dimensions; creates perspective drawings and orthogonal views.


  • Product Design - MFG: Basic understanding and knowledge of processes, approaches, tools and techniques of product design; ability to convert customer and market requirements into product design.
    • Explains the major components and deliverables of functional and technical designs.
    • Describes tasks, activities and key concerns during the functional and technical design phase.
    • Cites examples of good and bad designs derived from previous projects.
    • Clarifies standard design methods, tools and guiding principles.


What Will Put You Ahead
  • Experience using AutoCAD Electrical or other intelligent electrical CAD software for control panel and power distribution design
  • Working knowledge of UL 508A control panel design standards and utility power distribution systems
  • Familiarity with power systems, generator controls, or electrical control components used in industrial applications


Additional Information
  • This position requires the candidate to work a 5-day-a-week schedule in the office.
  • Relocation is NOT available for this position.
  • Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this position.


This Job Description is intended as a general guide to the job duties for this position and is intended for the purpose of establishing the specific salary grade. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive summary of all responsibilities, duties and effort required of employees assigned to this job.

At the discretion of management, this description may be changed at any time to address the evolving needs of the organization. It is expressly not intended to be a comprehensive list of "essential job functions" as that term is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Summary Pay Range:

$72,360.00 - $108,540.00

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


* These benefits also apply to part-time employees

Posting Dates:
July 16, 2026 - July 26, 2026

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About Caterpillar, Inc

Progress Rail Services Corporation, a Caterpillar company, is one of the largest integrated and diversified suppliers of railroad and transit system products and services worldwide. Since its acquisition by Caterpillar Inc. in 2006, Progress Rail has used the Caterpillar international footprint to gain quick and widespread notice and approval across the globe. Product technology, reliability and durability, along with legendary aftermarket parts and service support, have been their keys to success. Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. The technology and world reach of Caterpillar, combined with the service standard and historical reliability of Progress Rail, ensures their products and services make a growing impact on the world rail industry. With their acquisition of Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD), Progress Rail is the world's largest builder of diesel-electric locomotives for all commercial railroad applications including freight, intercity passenger, commuter, switching, industrial and mining. EMD is also a global provider of diesel power engines for marine propulsion, offshore and land based oil well drilling rigs and stationary power generation. Electro-Motive is the only diesel engine manufacturer of its size to have produced more than 70,000 engines. This success stems from product reliability, serviceability, load acceptance capability, low operating costs and ease of maintenance with standardized components.

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Make a great first impression. Prepare for your interview at Caterpillar by reviewing common questions and practicing your responses. Tailor your resume to highlight the experiences and skills that make you the ideal candidate for the position you are applying for. At Caterpillar, Inc., every role offers the chance to make an impact. Come be a part of our team and drive the future of our global industries. Your career at Caterpillar is not just about what you'll accomplish, but how you'll grow and the innovation you'll lead. Join us and build a career that matters.
Learn more about Caterpillar, Inc
Size
107,700 employees
Market Cap
$125.3 billion
Industry
Net Income
$2.9 billion
Founded
1925
5 Year Trend
+5.8%
Revenue
$41.7 billion
NASDAQ

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