Caterpillar, Inc

Electrical Design Engineer - High Voltage

Caterpillar, Inc$128K — $192K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, computer, automotive, or related engineering discipline, or equivalent experience.
  • Experience developing and integrating high-voltage electrical systems for electrified machines or vehicles.
  • Proven success in troubleshooting, commissioning, and validating prototype or development machines.
  • Demonstrated commitment to electrical safety, including experience with high-voltage safety standards and risk assessments.
  • Expertise in wiring harness design and Creo Schematics.

Responsibilities

  • Develop high-voltage electrical system architectures and translate machine requirements into detailed designs.
  • Design and oversee high-voltage cable and harness systems, including routing and assembly.
  • Integrate power sources and electric drivetrains into prototype machines for electrification initiatives.
  • Provide technical leadership for component selection and system performance validation.
  • Lead commissioning, troubleshooting, and validation of electrical systems ensuring compliance with safety standards.
  • Collaborate with suppliers and engineering teams to resolve technical issues and share best practices.
  • Mentor engineers on high-voltage systems and promote safe work practices.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits
  • Paid time off plan including vacation and holidays
  • 401(k) savings plans
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Career development opportunities
  • Tuition reimbursement
Full Job Description
Career Area:
Engineering

Job Description:

Job Summary

The Electrical Design Engineer - High Voltage position is accountable for translating system requirements into robust high-voltage electrical system architectures and integrating power sources, drivetrain systems, and accessory components into electrified machine platforms. The role leads electrical system design, auditing, troubleshooting, commissioning, validation, and issue resolution to ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards. Additionally, this position provides technical leadership for component selection, testing, risk assessment, supplier collaboration, and knowledge sharing to support rapid electrification development initiatives.

Additional Information:

  • This position is located in Clayton, NC at our Machine Development Center.
  • Limited domestic and international travel (up to 10%) may be required.
  • Domestic relocation assistance is offered for this position.
  • Visa sponsorship is not offered for this position.
  • Employees are expected to work on-site five days per week.


What You Will Do

  • Develop high-voltage electrical system architectures and translate machine and system requirements into detailed electrical designs for electrified machine platforms.
  • Design and oversee high-voltage cable and harness systems, including cable sizing, fusing coordination, routing, fabrication, and assembly.
  • Integrate power sources, electric drivetrains, and accessory systems into prototype and testbed machines to support rapid electrification initiatives.
  • Provide technical leadership for component selection, electrical design reviews, testing, risk assessments, and overall system performance validation.
  • Lead electrical system commissioning, troubleshooting, validation, and issue resolution activities while ensuring compliance with applicable safety and regulatory standards.
  • Collaborate with suppliers, global engineering teams, and cross-functional partners to resolve technical issues and establish electrification best practices.
  • Mentor engineers and technicians on high-voltage electrical systems and safety requirements while promoting a strong culture of safe work practices.
  • Monitor advancements in electrification technologies and leverage new insights to enhance system designs, development processes, and engineering standards.
  • Capture lessons learned, document technical findings, and communicate project outcomes and recommendations to engineering and business stakeholders.

What You Will Have:

  • Experience designing, integrating, validating, and troubleshooting machine electrical systems, including electrical architectures, controls, and component integration.
  • Proven ability to collaborate across cross-functional and global teams to develop common solutions, drive engineering efficiencies, and effectively resolve complex issues on prototype and development machines.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of electric machine components, CAN communications, datalink network architectures, and electrical system validation methods such as FMEA.
  • Experience using Creo and Visualization Mockup to develop and review electrical system designs, including auditing wiring harness routing and installations in 3D models and on-machine.
  • Enthusiasm for electrification and emerging technologies, coupled with a willingness to continuously learn and adapt.

Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Expert knowledge and understanding of the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision.
• Evaluates manual and electronic tools and techniques for enhancing accuracy.
• Designs techniques for measuring the cost and impact of errors.
• Discusses the value and associated costs of formal walkthroughs.
• Monitors the industry for new tools and techniques in assuring accuracy.
• Coaches others in methods of identifying and correcting errors, oversights and omissions.
• Supports and communicates the organization's quality management process.

Analytical Thinking: Extensive 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.
• Seeks discrepancies and inconsistencies in available information; explains variances.
• Organizes and prioritizes the sequence of steps to be taken to remedy the situation.
• Identifies many possible causes for a problem based on prior experience and current research.
• Quantifies the costs, benefits, risks and chances for success before recommending a course of action.
• Approaches a complex problem by breaking it down into its component parts.
• Chooses among a diverse set of analytical tools according to the nature of the situation.

Effective Communications: Extensive 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.
• Reviews others' writing or presentations and provides feedback and coaching.
• Adapts documents and presentations for the intended audience.
• Demonstrates both empathy and assertiveness when communicating a need or defending a position.
• Communicates well downward, upward, and outward.
• Employs appropriate methods of persuasion when soliciting agreement.
• Maintains focus on the topic at hand.

Problem Solving: Expert knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations.
• Gains agreement on the problem-solving process, risk assessment, decision points, and criteria.
• Trains others in the process of eliciting alternatives and assessing their impact.
• Orchestrates the resolution of high-impact and cross-functional problems.
• Successfully organizes problem solvers and stakeholders for high-impact problems.
• Predicts and explains long-term trends and implications for alternatives.
• Monitors industry for best practices and new techniques in problem-solving.

Technical Excellence: Extensive knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.
• Advises others on the assessment and provision of all technical solutions.
• Engages appropriate subject matter resources to effectively resolve technical issues.
• Mentors others to enhance their technical competence and its application to achieve more effective technical solutions.
• Coaches others in promoting, defining, analyzing, and providing superior technical solutions to business problems.
• Provides effective solutions to moderate technical challenges through strong technical competence, effectively examining implications of events and issues.
• Assumes accountability for personal technical performance and holds others responsible for theirs.

Top Candidates Will Have:

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical, Mechanical, Computer, Automotive, or a related engineering discipline - equivalent engineering experience will also be considered.
  • Experience developing and integrating high-voltage electrical systems for electrified machines or vehicles, including machine-level integration of powertrain and accessory systems.
  • Proven success in troubleshooting, commissioning, and validating prototype or development machines to identify root causes and resolve complex electrical system issues.
  • Demonstrated commitment to electrical safety, including experience with high-voltage safety standards, risk assessments, system validation, and safe commissioning of prototype machines.
  • Expertise in wiring harness design, Creo Schematics, and the development of common electrical architectures and component strategies across multiple machine platforms.


This position will be posted until 11:59 PM CST on 07/30/2026.

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

Posting Dates:

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.

Caterpillar, Inc. Careers

Join the robust team at Caterpillar, Inc., a global leader in construction and mining equipment, where innovation drives everything we do. As part of our team, you'll engage in work that improves the world and furthers your career with every project you touch.

Work You’ll Do

At Caterpillar, Inc., you will have the opportunity to contribute to a variety of groundbreaking projects that extend across the globe. Our commitment to leadership in the industry is unwavering, and we achieve it through a culture that fosters diversity and leadership development.

Explore Job Opportunities and Growth

Caterpillar offers a wide range of job opportunities and career paths, providing a platform for professional growth and development. Whether you're interested in engineering, sales, marketing, or management, Caterpillar has a position that will utilize your unique skills and talents. We are continuously hiring innovative minds to propel our mission forward and maintain our status as industry leaders.

Internship Programs

Kickstart your career with a Caterpillar internship. Our internships provide invaluable workplace experience and networking opportunities that often lead to full-time employment at our company. As an intern, you will work alongside experienced professionals and gain insights that will benefit you as you advance in your career.

Benefits and Culture

Choosing a career at Caterpillar means more than just having a job. It means you're part of a team that values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We offer competitive benefits to ensure the health and well-being of our employees and their families. These benefits include health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off, alongside unique perks like professional development and diversity training programs.

Innovation and Leadership

Drive innovation and industry leadership as part of the Caterpillar team. We empower our employees to lead from their first day on the job, encouraging continuous improvement and career advancement. At Caterpillar, your ideas will shape the future of our business and the industries we serve.

Join Our Team

Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We are looking for passionate, curious, and solution-driven team players. Ready to start your journey at Caterpillar, Inc.? Explore our career portal for the latest job opportunities.

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Prepare for Your Interview

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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