Caterpillar, Inc

Supplier Development Engineer

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

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering preferred.
  • Understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing and QCLDM/TCO.
  • Background in engineering or manufacturing with knowledge of Caterpillar's product component production processes.
  • Experience with lean six sigma practices for performance evaluation.
  • Strong negotiation skills in analyzing and negotiating cost elements.
  • Excellent interpersonal communication, analytical, leadership, and project management skills.

Responsibilities

  • Ensure robust process controls are in place to prevent defects with suppliers.
  • Monitor key manufacturing processes and quality management systems of suppliers.
  • Lead or support APQP activities for new product development.
  • Conduct audits and develop inspection plans to ensure supplier quality.
  • Research and assess potential suppliers, ensuring compliance with standards.
  • Support suppliers in performance improvement and process enhancement.
  • Generate reports on supplier quality and guide defect rate reduction.

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
Full Job Description

Career Area:

Procurement

Job Description:

Caterpillar’s BCP division is hiring for Supplier Development Engineer in Clayton, NC!

Role Summary: In this role you will provide technical expertise and leadership to the Cab Components supply base in the execution of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), the implementation of process controls, the development of continuous quality improvement processes and procurement projects, and to develop new and existing suppliers worldwide to ensure all products are free from defects and are in compliance with manufacturing specifications and legal standards and meet our supplier performance requirements.


Job Duties:

  • Work with suppliers to ensure robust process controls are in place to prevent nonconformities/defects.

  • Monitor supplier’s key manufacturing processes, capacity, and quality management systems.

  • Lead or support APQP activities for new product devolvement programs.

  • Ensure supplier’s quality by conducting audits and assessments on incoming parts to identify any quality issues; develop supplier inspection plans, testing, and evaluation mechanisms.

  • Research potential suppliers, assess their manufacturing environment, practices, and procedures; Conduct supplier quality control audits to ensure compliance with organizational and federal policies and standards.

  • Supporting suppliers in improving their performance through process enhancements, implementing process controls and developing quality assurance plans.

  • Generating reports on supplier quality, by monitoring their defect rates and areas that can lead to potential flaws; Guide suppliers to reduce defect rates.


Core Skills

  • Relationships: Maintains close working relationships with suppliers and Caterpillar Supplier Quality Engineers, Logistics and Material Planning Groups, Purchasing Groups, Technical Process Stewards, APQP Leader and Design Engineers.

  • Effective Communications: 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.

  • Problem Solving: 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.

  • Process Improvement: Understanding and insight into evaluating current product quality and production methods and ability to maintain focus on the continuous improvement of processes, products and services.

  • Quality Orientation: Knowledge of quality management methods, tools, and techniques; ability to create and support an environment that meets the quality goals of the organization.

  • Supplier Management - MFG: Knowledge of processes and methods to effectively manage business relationships and transactions with suppliers of raw materials or product components; ability to apply related knowledge, experience and skills into real practice.


Required:

  • A bachelor’s degree, preferably in engineering.

  • Understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing.  Understanding of QCLDM/TCO.

  • Engineering or manufacturing background plus familiarity with manufacturing processes used to produce components and assemblies for Caterpillar-type Products.

  • Experience in lean six sigma practices to fully understand the current performance of the supply base, evaluate strategic options, decide a course of action, and begin implementation.

  • Strong Negotiator, able to interpret, analyze and negotiate contractual cost elements.

  • Good interpersonal communication, analytical, leadership and project management skills to develop cooperative working relationships with others both inside and outside of Caterpillar.


Highly Desirable:

  • Quality engineering certification.

  • Capable of using and demonstrating statistical and problem-solving tools.

  • Understanding of 3rd party registration standards

  • Lean Six Sigma certification


Additional Details

  • Work location: NC-Clayton-Machine Development Center

  • 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:

$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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posting Dates:

July 16, 2026 - July 30, 2026

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

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

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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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