Caterpillar, Inc

Senior Design Engineer

Caterpillar, Inc$112K — $169K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related fields
  • 5+ years of design engineering experience
  • Proven ownership of component design and resolution
  • Ability to coordinate complex issues across stakeholders
  • Experience with NPI and CPI processes
  • Expertise in mentoring and providing technical guidance

Responsibilities

  • Serve as a senior technical contributor in the CUL Chassis team
  • Support NPI and CPI activities through design and production readiness
  • Design chassis components and hydraulic routing solutions
  • Drive resolution of design and production issues
  • Participate in hands-on machine fit-ups and prototype builds
  • Create and release engineering documentation in collaboration with teams

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)
  • Career Development programs
  • Incentive bonus opportunities
  • Tuition Reimbursement
Full Job Description

Career Area:

Engineering

Job Description:

Caterpillar’s BCP divisionis hiring for Senior Design Engineer in Sanford, NC.

Role Summary: As a Senior Design Engineer within Caterpillar’s BCP division, you will serve as a senior technical contributor within the Compact Utility Loader (CUL) ProductChassis team in support of new product introduction (NPI), continuous product improvement (CPI), and production readiness activities. This role is responsible for developing robust chassis system designs that balance packaging, manufacturability, serviceability, durability, cost, and adjacent system requirements.

You will work closely with engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, purchasing, quality, service, and product teams to resolve complex design and production issues, support hands-on machine fit-ups and prototype builds, and release high-quality engineering documentation. The ideal candidate brings strong mechanical design capability, practical problem-solving skills, and the ability to apply technical expertise to the most challenging assignments while helping align recommendations across cross-functional partners and mentoring less-experienced engineers.

What You’ll Do (Job Duties)

  • Serve as a senior technical contributor within the CUL Chassis team by applying expert judgment to complex design decisions, leading multiple projects, mentoring less-experienced engineers, and sharing best practices.

  • Support CUL Chassis NPI and CPI activities through design, validation, release, issue resolution, and production support.

  • Design chassis components and hydraulic line routing solutions—including light fabrications, brackets, guards, non-metallic tanks, and mounting hardware—that balance packaging, installation feasibility, serviceability, manufacturability, cost, tolerance requirements, and adjacent system needs.

  • Drive resolution of complex design, quality, supplier, production, warranty, and field issues by coordinating analysis, corrective actions, and implementation plans.

  • Participate in hands-on machine fit-ups, prototype builds, design reviews, and production readiness activities while incorporating operator, customer, dealer, and field feedback into product improvements.

  • Create and release engineering documentation, including models, drawings, specifications, test plans, and engineering change records, in collaboration with manufacturing, suppliers, purchasing, quality, service, and product teams.

What You Have (Core Skills)

  • Analytical Thinking: Ability to evaluate product, production, supplier, and field issues using data, root cause methods, and engineering judgment to define practical corrective actions.

  • Effective Communications: Ability to clearly communicate technical information, design tradeoffs, risks, and recommendations to engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, quality, service, and product stakeholders.

  • Managing Multiple Priorities: Ability to manage concurrent NPI, CPI, release, validation, and production-support activities while balancing urgency, quality, cost, and schedule.

  • Technical Excellence: Ability to develop robust chassis component and hydraulic line routing solutions that balance packaging, manufacturability, serviceability, durability, cost, and adjacent system needs.

  • Computer-Aided Design & Engineering: Ability to create, analyze, and release 3D models, drawings, specifications, and engineering changes using CAD/CAE tools and sound design practices.

  • Product Design and Development: Ability to support mechanical component design from concept through production, including fit-up, validation, engineering release, and continuous product improvement.

Top Candidates Will Also Have

  • Requires a bachelor'sdegree in Engineering or related fields.

  • Design engineering experience with demonstrated ownership of component design, technical issue resolution, engineering release, and cross-functional production support.

  • Experience supporting coordination of complex issues and engineering releases across stakeholders.

  • Experience with testbed and early-NPI machine layout and concepting.

  • Experience using CPI analysis tools and processes to evaluate product issues, identify root cause, prioritize improvements, and support corrective action plans.

  • Demonstrated ability to provideexpert technical guidance, mentor less-experienced engineers, and influence design direction without direct authority.

Additional Details 

  • Work location: Sanford, NC 

  • Domestic relocation assistance is available for this role. 

  • Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this role. 

  • Travel: 10%, including international travel. 

  • This position requires 5 days per week in the office (M-F) 

 


 

Summary Pay Range:

$112,710.00 - $169,060.00

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:

July 22, 2026 - August 5, 2026

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.

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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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