Career Area:
Engineering
Job Description:
Caterpillar’s EMD division is hiring for Design Engineering Specialist in Peoria, IL!
Role Summary: In this role you will lead regarding structural analysis supporting Heavy and Light Structures, implement new technologies, mentor and coach Design Engineers
What You’ll Do (Job Duties)
- Lead structural analysis and validation of components, systems, and assemblies using finite element analysis (FEA) and other analytical methods to ensure product durability, reliability, and performance requirements are met.
- Develop and execute a roadmap to advance MWL Virtual Product Development (VPD) capabilities, accelerating design validation, reducing physical test dependency, and improving product quality and speed-to-market across Heavy and Light Structures.
- Provide technical leadership to build advanced simulation capabilities within MWL team through coaching and mentoring engineers.
- Champion MWL interests EMD and enterprise heavy and light structures communities to influence and accelerate key initiatives.
- Develop, correlate, and maintain analytical models to predict structural behavior under static, dynamic, fatigue, vibration, and thermal loading conditions, supporting both new product development and current product improvements.
- Interpret test data and field performance information to validate analytical predictions, troubleshoot structural concerns, and support root-cause investigations for quality and durability issues.
What You Have (Core Skills)
- Degree Requirement: Requires a degree in an accredited Engineering, Computer Science or Materials Science Curriculum.
- Analytical Thinking: 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.
- Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
- Project Management: 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.
- Computer-Aided Design & Engineering: Knowledge of tools and techniques of specialized graphics programs; ability to produce, analyze, simulate and test product design drafts.
- Product Development Life Cycle - MFG: Knowledge of the methodology and associated phases, activities and deliverables of product development life cycle in manufacturing organizations; ability to bring new or enhanced products to the marketplace.
- Troubleshooting Technical Problems: Knowledge of troubleshooting approaches, tools and techniques; ability to anticipate, detect and resolve technical problems in a product development environment.
Top Candidates Will Also Have
- Advanced Structural Analysis: Expertise in FEA and structural mechanics, including nonlinear, dynamic, fatigue, buckling, vibration, and thermal-stress analysis.
- Model Validation and Engineering Judgment: Ability to develop accurate load cases, correlate models with test and field data, recognize simulation limitations, and assess technical risk.
- Materials, Joining, and Manufacturability: Strong knowledge of metals, weldments, bolted joints, castings, forgings, and manufacturing effects on structural durability and performance.
- Design Optimization and Problem Solving: Proven ability to investigate failures, determine root causes, and optimize designs for strength, weight, cost, durability, and manufacturability.
- Technical Leadership and Innovation: Ability to lead technical reviews, mentor engineers, improve simulation methods and standards, and use automation or data-analysis tools to strengthen organizational capability.
Additional Details
- Work location: Peoria, IL
- Domestic relocation assistance IS available for this role
- Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this role.
- Travel: 25% domestic and international
- This position requires 5 days per week in the office (M-F)
Summary Pay Range:
$128,470.00 - $192,710.00
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
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:
October 22, 2026 - November 8, 2026
Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.
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