Performance/Simulation/Application Engineer

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.

As a Performance/Simulation/Application Engineer with the Large Power Systems Division, you will serve as an experienced contributor on projects and assignments that are complex in nature and that support and enhance Caterpillar product performance, durability, reliability and quality. You will partner with and provide technical guidance to global teams. You will continually learn and stay abreast of innovative technology. You will also continue to grow your professional network.

Job Duties & Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Execute torsional vibration analysis (TVA) for engine drivelines and perform geartrain dynamics simulations using in-house tools.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define simulation requirements for new product development, current product issue resolution, and cost reduction projects.

• Prepare clear documentation of analysis objectives, assumptions, methods, results, and conclusions.

• Interpret simulation results and provide actionable recommendations for design improvements.

• Collaborate with engine test teams to improve simulation tool capabilities

• Stay current with emerging technologies and contribute to the development of new simulation methods and tools.

Required Qualifications:

• Education:

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering with 5-8 years of relevant industry experience, or Master's degree in engineering with 3-4 years of relevant industry experience, or Doctorate degree in Engineering with 2-3 years of relevant industry experience.

• Knowledge and experience in engine dynamics and vibration analysis.

• Completion of formal coursework in vibrations and/or dynamics.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to handle increasingly complex assignments through experience.

• Excellent communication skills for conveying technical information to team members and other teams.

Desired Qualifications:

• –3 years of experience with internal combustion engines.

• Hands-on testing experience with torsional dynamics and/or engine-related vibrations.

• Familiarity with multi-body dynamics (MBD) simulation tools.

• Experience with finite element analysis (FEA).

• Demonstrated project leadership capabilities.

Skill Descriptors:

Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision.

 Level Working Knowledge:

• Accurately gauges the impact and cost of errors, omissions, and oversights.

• Utilizes specific approaches and tools for checking and cross-checking outputs.

• Processes limited amounts of detailed information with good accuracy.

• Learns from mistakes and applies lessons learned.

• Develops and uses checklists to ensure that information goes out error-free.

Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.

 Level Working Knowledge:

• Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue and determining its significance.

• Makes a systematic comparison of two or more alternative solutions.

• Uses flow charts, Pareto charts, fish diagrams, etc. to disclose meaningful data patterns.

• Identifies the major forces, events and people impacting and impacted by the situation at hand.

• Uses logic and intuition to make inferences about the meaning of the data and arrive at conclusions.

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 Working Knowledge:

• Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending the recipient.

• Listens to feedback without defensiveness and uses it for own communication effectiveness.

• Makes oral presentations and writes reports needed for own work.

• Avoids technical jargon when inappropriate.

• Looks for and considers non-verbal cues from individuals and groups.

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 Extensive Experience:

• Ensures capture of lessons to be learned from a problem-solving effort.

• Organizes potential problem solvers and leads problem resolution efforts.

• Uses varying problem-solving approaches and techniques as appropriate.

• Contributes to standard practices for problem-solving approaches, tools, and processes.

• Analyzes and synthesizes information and devises alternative resolution strategies.

• Develops successful resolutions to critical or wide-impact problems.

Technical Excellence: Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.

 Level Working Knowledge:

• Provides effective technical solutions to routine functional challenges via sound technical competence, effectively examining implications of events and issues.

• Effectively performs the technical job aspects, continuously building knowledge and keeping up-to-date on technical and procedural job components.

• Applies technical operating and project standards based on achieving excellence in delivered products, technologies and services.

• Applies current procedures and technologies to help resolve technical issues in one's general area of technical competence.

• Helps others solve technical or procedural problems or issues.

Project Management: Knowledge of effective project management strategies and tactics; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control projects, ensuring efficient utilization of technical and administrative resources to achieve project objectives.

 Level Basic Understanding:

• Identifies project management tools and requirements within own function.

• Describes the key objectives, phases and deliverables of a current project.

• Explains the concepts of phase, activity, task, and deliverable.

• Gives examples of critical paths in projects.

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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