Manufacturing Project Engr 1

Career Area:

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.

This role plays a pivotal part in driving accurate capacity planning and operational excellence across 18 Drivetrain (DT) facilities. By leading efforts aligned with Enterprise Capacity Requirements – Components (ECRC), the position supports proactive decision-making and ensures facilities are well-prepared to meet future component demand. Through a structured and strategic approach, the role enables alignment with corporate goals, enhances visibility into production capabilities, and fosters continuous improvement across the value stream.

The selected candidate will collaborate closely with the corporate ECRC team, Prime Product, Engineering, ITDD Mfg Technology & Solutions partners, and DT facilities. A minimum of 50% overlap with U.S. working hours along with 15% domestic / international travel is required to ensure effective coordination and timely execution of initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead capacity planning initiatives across 18 global DT facilities, ensuring alignment with corporate growth strategies and future demand forecasts.

• Drive compliance with ECRC, identifying and resolving gaps that impact readiness and scalability.

• Conduct value stream analysis to uncover inefficiencies and implement improvements in manufacturing processes.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams—including Engineering, ITDD, and Prime Product—to support integrated planning and execution.

• Mentor manufacturing engineers and operators to foster continuous improvement and high-quality outcomes.

Core Competencies & Skills:

Capacity Planning & Management

• Interpret forecasts and develop short- and long-term capacity requirements.

• Analyze product promotions and their impact on production capabilities.

• Generate management reports on actual vs. projected capacity.

Value Stream Analysis & Lean Manufacturing

• Apply lean principles to streamline operations and eliminate waste.

• Identify and resolve technical and organizational barriers to lean transformation.

Project Management

• Plan and manage cross-functional projects with clear objectives, deliverables, and timelines.

• Monitor progress and ensure efficient resource utilization.

Problem Solving & Decision Making

• Use diagnostic tools to identify root causes and develop resolution strategies.

• Evaluate trade-offs and make defensible decisions aligned with long-term goals.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Industrial, Mechanical, or Manufacturing Engineering.

• Demonstrated 10+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, with a strong emphasis on capacity planning and process optimization.

• Proficient in analyzing complex data and managing cross-functional projects to drive operational improvements.

• Skilled communicator with the ability to collaborate effectively across global teams and diverse stakeholders.

• Familiarity with ECR / ECRC frameworks and lean manufacturing principles.

Additional Info:

• Office Model: This position requires the employee to work a 5-day-a-week schedule in the office.

This Job Description is intended as a general guide to the job duties for this position and is intended for the purpose of establishing the specific salary grade. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive summary of all responsibilities, duties and effort required of employees assigned to this job. At the discretion of management, this description may be changed at any time to address the evolving needs of the organization. It is expressly not intended to be a comprehensive list of "essential job functions" as that term is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Posting Dates:

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply

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