NPI Lead

Job Description Career Area: Engineering Job Description: Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc. When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it. Role Definition: Manages multiple or complex engineering projects involving multiple functions or sites. We are looking for a dynamic, organized self-starter to join our Cat Technology Division as an NPI Lead in Global Engineering & Technology, Chennai to support ICD Wear & Maintenance Products Group. ICD is one of the most innovative divisions within Caterpillar. We are a global team that designs and manufactures components embedded into a machine's architecture, delivering superior customer value and competitive advantage. Our components (Hose & Coupling. Fluids & Filter, Seals, Tubes & Hardware, Undercarriage, GET) are essential to differentiating our prime products, enhancing performance, quality, and safety from the inside out. Our components are also built with the aftermarket in mind, helping customers get reliable service and performance wherever they operate. As an NPI Lead, you will utilize corporate and ICD NPI processes and tools for leading teams. Responsibilities - Manage NPI projects (component development) to ensure they are on-time, within budget, and aligned with the product strategy. - Deliver cross vertical aftermarket transformation commitments - Lead NPI projects by collaborating with component Engineering Team, Machine Business Divisions, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Business Resources and Supply Chain. - Assemble the business case for project requests to ensure profitable growth. - Build relationships with other departments, industry associations and outside organizations. Assists in marketing the NPI process to customers. - Identifies cost containment opportunities. Identifies trends and areas of focus for continuous improvement. - Apply Lean culture to the NPI process to standardize and reduce development timelines. - Overseeing project progress and costs; communicating status with stakeholders and participating functional areas; addressing and resolving problems. - Communicating with customers and managing expectations; ensuring effective use of project controls and reporting mechanisms. Basic Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering - 15+ years of progressively responsible job-related experience in at least one of the following: NPI, 6 Sigma, Product engineering Top Candidates Will Also Have: - Completion of 6 Sigma Black Belt training - Previous experience with company products and product applications, dealer network, merchandising programs, and/or warranty practices and procedures - Experience in leading projects or parts development with Maintenance and/or Wear Components - Experience in more than one product development area - Exceptional organizational and multi-tasking abilities - Strong verbal and written communication skills - Excellent interpersonal skills are required in order to deal with sensitive issues, develop others, or persuade others inside and outside the department to take specific actions Skill Descriptors Planning: Tactical, Strategic: Knowledge of effective planning techniques and ability to contribute to operational (short term), tactical (1-2 years) and strategic (3-5 years) planning in support of the overall business plan. Level Working Knowledge: - Contributes to short-term operational plans. - Anticipates and adapts to plan changes. - Monitors progress of work against plan as required to meet objectives. - Reports variances and makes agreed-upon corrections. - Under guidance, develops tactical plan for own direct responsibility. Products and Services: Knowledge of major products and services and product and service groups; ability to apply knowledge of product and service appropriately to diverse situations. Level Working Knowledge: - Obtains information about product and service linkages with other products and services elsewhere in organization. - Researches the target market and how the product and services are sold and delivered. - Explains current status, delivery alternatives and announced updates to products and services. - Summarizes key features of major products or services in own unit. - Assesses own unit's product alternatives, costs, and pricing. Quality Management: Knowledge of quality management methods, tools, and techniques and ability to create and support an environment that meets the quality goals of the organization. Level Basic Understanding: - Explains the purpose and limitations of quality management. - Accesses organizational resources that enable quality management. - Defines quality management concepts. - Cites examples of organizational quality management initiatives. 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. Level Extensive Experience: - 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: 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. Level Working Knowledge: - Identifies and documents specific problems and resolution alternatives. - Examines a specific problem and understands the perspective of each involved stakeholder. - Develops alternative techniques for assessing accuracy and relevance of information. - Helps to analyze risks and benefits of alternative approaches and obtain decision on resolution. - Uses fact-finding techniques and diagnostic tools to identify problems. Customer Service Management: Knowledge of customer service priorities and ability to utilize tools and techniques for maintaining an environment where all understand, and are committed to providing excellent service to internal and external customers. Level Working Knowledge: - Facilitates the resolution of customer problems, issues, or concerns. - Monitors and reports on delivery of what was promised. - Participates in a team that provides direct customer service. - Ensures identification of customer needs and priorities. - Analyzes problem trends and takes steps to avoid recurrence. Program Management: Knowledge of the policies and techniques to manage a set of related projects within a program; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control the set of projects, ensuring efficient utilization of technical and administrative resources to achieve program objectives. Level Working Knowledge: - Assists in detailed project plans including cost, schedule, and resource requirements. - Participates in planning, estimating, and executing a set of projects. - Follows standard criteria to track project progress and status to ensure they are in line with program objectives. - Monitors standard project status reports. - Coordinates the necessary resources for managing efficient and effective projects within the program. Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Knowledge of design for manufacturability guidelines, methodologies, and use cases; ability to use this knowledge to optimize product designs and manufacturing operations. Level Basic Understanding: - Discusses the use cases, benefits, and importance of DFM. - Explains the key DFM design principles. - Lists the major tools and technologies used for implementing DFM methodologies. - Locates the DFM guidelines for various types of manufacturing processes within the organization. Relocation is available for this position. Posting Dates: November 25, 2025 - December 4, 2025 Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply Not ready to apply Join our Talent Community.