Caterpillar, Inc

Hydraulic Systems - Design Engineer

Caterpillar, Inc$97K — $146K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Materials Science required
  • 5-7 years of progressive engineering experience
  • Strong knowledge of hydraulic systems and components
  • Experience in product design focusing on manufacturability and cost
  • Proficient in analytical thinking for complex engineering challenges
  • Effective communication skills for technical and non-technical stakeholders
  • Familiarity with regulatory requirements and Caterpillar standards

Responsibilities

  • Design hydraulic components and system architectures for performance and cost-efficiency
  • Lead the selection and integration of hydraulic components like valves and pumps
  • Translate machine requirements into practical designs
  • Validate system performance through testing and simulations
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery
  • Partner with suppliers for component selection and issue resolution
  • Support new product introduction and continuous improvement initiatives

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits
  • Paid time off (vacation, holidays, volunteer days)
  • 401(k) savings plan
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Career development opportunities
  • Disability benefits
  • Life insurance
  • Tuition reimbursement
Full Job Description
Career Area:
Engineering

Job Description:

Job Summary:

The Hydraulic Systems Engineering team is seeking a Design Engineer to support the development of hydraulic components and systems across Resource Industries product lines, with design responsibility for subsystems including pumps, valves, cylinders, hoses, and fluid routing.

This role focuses on component and system-level design, driving solutions that meet performance, reliability, quality, and cost targets. You will collaborate closely with manufacturing, purchasing, supply chain, validation, and simulation teams to deliver robust hydraulic systems on time and within budget.

You will lead component selection and integration, translating machine requirements into effective designs and validating performance through simulation and testing. Working cross-functionally with cooling, drivetrain, installation, and controls teams, you will deliver optimized systems while supporting new product development, fleet improvements, and cost reduction initiatives.

What You Will Do:
  • Design and develop hydraulic components and system architectures to meet performance, reliability, and cost targets
  • Lead component selection and integration, including valves, cylinders, pumps, motors, and fluid routing systems
  • Translate machine and application requirements into effective component and system-level designs
  • Validate hydraulic system performance through simulation, testing, and field validation activities
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams across manufacturing, purchasing, supply chain, validation, and simulation to deliver robust solutions
  • Partner with suppliers to define requirements, support component selection, and resolve design or quality issues
  • Support new product introduction (NPI), CPI, and APQP activities to ensure successful program execution
  • Troubleshoot and resolve hydraulic system performance, durability, and quality issues
  • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, including cost reduction, manufacturability, and product quality enhancements
  • Ensure designs meet Caterpillar standards, regulatory requirements, and application needs


Education requirement:

Requires a bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) in an accredited Engineering or Materials Science discipline, along with progressive engineering experience.

What skills you will have:

Technical Excellence: Applies strong knowledge of hydraulic systems and components to develop effective technical solutions and resolve design challenges. Demonstrates the ability to evaluate system performance, interpret validation results, and ensure designs meet Caterpillar standards for quality, reliability, and durability. Continuously builds technical expertise in hydraulic systems, simulation, and validation methods while supporting testing and performance improvement efforts.

Product Design - MFG: Designs hydraulic components and systems with a focus on manufacturability, cost, and quality. Applies DFM/DFA and APQP principles to align designs with production capabilities and business objectives. Works closely with manufacturing, procurement, and suppliers to optimize designs, evaluate feedback, and drive improvements based on production and field performance.

Analytical Thinking: Approaches complex hydraulic system challenges by breaking them into manageable components and identifying root causes. Uses data, testing results, and prior experience to evaluate performance, risks, and trade-offs between cost, quality, and reliability. Identifies multiple solution paths and selects the most effective approach based on structured analysis and sound engineering judgment.

Effective Communications: Communicates technical concepts clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Collaborates across cross-functional and global teams to drive alignment and achieve project goals. Prepares technical documentation and presentations, using strong communication skills to influence decisions, support recommendations, and resolve issues with internal partners and suppliers.

Additional Information:

This position requires the candidate to work onsite five days a week at the Mossville, IL office.

Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position.

Visa sponsorship is NOT available with this position.

This position may require up to 10% travel.

Summary Pay Range:

$97,530.00 - $146,290.00

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:
June 12, 2026 - June 28, 2026

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.

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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