
Senior Design Engineer
- Mossville, IL
- $110,520-165,840 per year
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Material Testing Group (MTG): Develops and manages rubber formulations.
- Rubber Component Group (RCG): Designs, tests, and validates rubber components.
- Track Seal Group: Focuses on track seal designs to meet customer expectations.
- Design, maintain, and manage the component design and development of rubber components for Caterpillar engines and machines, ensuring the integration of new products, processes, or technologies to meet customer needs.
- Lead multiple projects related to component development and performance evaluations, including project management documentation.
- Participate in trial and production rubber molding processes, contributing to issue resolution and understanding variables affecting results.
- Manage component testing, validation, and audits, and communicate results in a concise and accurate manner with data.
- Design new test fixtures and manage the maintenance of local test benches, including spare parts.
- Identify, analyze, and resolve issues with components, test procedures, or test equipment.
- Collaborate and support process partners, such as internal customers and manufacturing facilities, to enhance product and process performance.
- Support NPI, CPI, BIQ and Assurance of Supply projects using performance testing for failure predictions, concept evaluation, and benchmarking.
- Ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, mechanical, materials science, or a related field.
- Lead complex, full-lifecycle product development initiatives across multiple platforms, from concept through production.
- Drive cross-functional collaboration with global teams to ensure robust design validation and seamless product launches.
- Apply expert-level DFM/DFA practices to deliver innovative, cost-effective, and high-performance solutions.
- Leverage deep technical knowledge in materials, mechanics, and manufacturing processes to solve high-impact design challenges.
- Ensure rigorous compliance with global standards, internal specifications, and quality systems throughout the design process.
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship, guiding design reviews and fostering a culture of engineering excellence.
- Expertly use advanced CAD tools (e.g., Creo, SolidWorks) to create complex 3D models, assemblies, and production drawings.
- Conduct high-level simulations (e.g., FEA, CFD) to validate performance, durability, and safety under real-world conditions.
- Manage design data and workflows in PLM systems (e.g., Teamcenter), ensuring accuracy, traceability, and version control.
- Perform advanced data analysis and root cause investigations to drive design improvements and resolve systemic issues.
- Apply statistical methods and engineering judgment to support strategic, data-driven decision-making.
- Evaluate complex trade-offs in design, balancing performance, cost, manufacturability, and customer requirements.
- Hands-on engineer with strong mechanical aptitude and lab experience.
- Proficient in data acquisition systems, MTS/Instron test machines and controllers.
- Skilled in Six Sigma, PPAP, FEA, Creo, Teamcenter, GD&T, and drawing release processes.
- Experienced with Microsoft Project and other planning tools.
- Competitive Base Salary
- Annual incentive bonus plan*
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holiday, Volunteer, Etc.)
- 401k savings plan
- Health savings account (HSA)
- Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
- Short and long-term disability coverage
- Life Insurance
- Paid parental leave
- Healthy Lifestyle Programs
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Voluntary Benefits (Ex. Accident, Identity Theft Protection)
- These benefits also apply to part-time employees