Senior Associate Engineer

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.

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team that 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. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

Job Summary:

Caterpillar is seeking a Senior Associate Engineer to support the Mossville cooling validation team through validation planning, supplier collaboration, product-health data collection, Continuous Product Improvement (CPI) initiatives, and hands-on testing.

In this onsite role, you will work closely with validation team leads, internal engineering teams, and external suppliers to execute testing and validation activities that support product performance and reliability. You will contribute to the development of validation plans, review test documentation, collect and analyze product-health data, and help drive continuous improvement efforts.

This opportunity is ideal for an early-career engineer who combines strong analytical problem-solving skills with hands-on mechanical aptitude and the ability to work independently. You will gain exposure to Caterpillar products, cooling systems, components, and system operation while progressing toward independently leading laboratory testing activities.

How You Will Make an Impact:

• Advance Product Validation - Support the validation team in ensuring product quality, reliability, and performance through hands-on testing and execution of validation activities.

• Drive Data-Based Decisions - Collect and analyze product-health data to support engineering recommendations and continuous product improvement initiatives.

• Collaborate Across Teams and Suppliers - Partner with internal engineering teams and external suppliers to plan, coordinate, and execute validation activities.

• Apply Mechanical and Analytical Expertise - Utilize mechanical aptitude, engineering knowledge, and structured problem-solving methods to address technical challenges.

• Develop Technical Ownership - Build expertise in Caterpillar products, cooling systems, and laboratory testing processes while progressing toward independently running testing programs.

Responsibilities include:

• Support validation team leads with testing and validation activities.

• Develop DVP&Rs (Design Verification Plans and Reports) and validation plans that define testing requirements, methods, schedules, and acceptance criteria.

• Work with suppliers to execute validation activities.

• Gather and analyze product-health data.

• Support Continuous Product Improvement (CPI) projects.

• Perform hands-on testing activities.

• Review test plans and test reports.

• Progress toward independently running laboratory testing.

• Utilize Creo (or other 3D modeling ) to support testing, validation, and engineering activities.

Degree Requirement:

• Bachelor's degree preferred but not required when offset by strong relevant experience and a technical two-year engineering degree.

What Skills You Will Have:

Product Testing (Working Knowledge)

• Support testing and validation activities through hands-on laboratory and component testing.

• Document test processes and results, prepare and analyze test data, and support issue tracking activities.

• Test components for compliance with functional requirements and established procedures.

• Develop and execute validation plans and DVPNRs in partnership with validation team leads.

• Participate in selecting appropriate testing environments, tools, and methods to support product quality objectives.

Analytical Thinking (Working Knowledge)

• Define technical problems, evaluate their significance, and apply structured problem-solving methods to identify solutions.

• Analyze test results, product-health data, and validation outcomes to support engineering recommendations.

• Use logic, data analysis, and engineering judgment to draw conclusions and support decision-making.

• Compare alternative solutions and identify factors that influence product performance and validation outcomes.

• Support Continuous Product Improvement (CPI) initiatives through data-driven analysis and recommendations.

Engineering - Manufacturing (Working Knowledge)

• Apply mechanical engineering principles and mechanical aptitude to testing, validation, and product development activities.

• Work with routine engineering components, systems, and processes in a manufacturing and product development environment.

• Assist in resolving engineering issues and support the development and review of engineering specifications, test plans, and reports.

• Follow established engineering standards, policies, and practices throughout testing and validation activities.

• Escalate unusual technical issues and observations to senior team members as appropriate.

Troubleshooting Technical Problems (Working Knowledge)

• Troubleshoot routine technical issues encountered during testing and validation activities.

• Follow established troubleshooting procedures to ensure effective and consistent resolutions.

• Utilize diagnostic tools, testing equipment, and technical resources to identify and resolve issues.

• Document technical problems, findings, and corrective actions in an organized and auditable manner.

• Support evaluation of testing results and identification of root causes impacting product performance.

Information Capture (Working Knowledge)

• Capture, document, and organize validation data, test results, engineering findings, and product-health information using established processes and tools.

• Follow defined procedures to ensure information is accurately recorded and easily retrievable.

• Utilize automated systems and tools to archive and maintain engineering and testing documentation.

• Identify and document information necessary to support validation decisions and product improvement efforts.

• Adhere to established standards, policies, and documentation practices.

Standard Operating Procedures (Working Knowledge)

• Follow established standard operating procedures for validation, laboratory testing, data collection, and reporting activities.

• Monitor and document deviations from approved procedures and communicate findings appropriately.

• Support compliance with engineering, quality, safety, and testing standards.

• Assist in improving procedures based on testing outcomes, workflow observations, and operational needs.

• Participate in reviewing the effectiveness of testing and validation procedures to support continuous improvement.

Technical Design and Mechanical Skills

• Ability to work independently while managing testing and validation assignments.

• Ability to work with Creo and 3D models to support engineering and validation activities.

• Strong mechanical engineering aptitude and hands-on technical capability.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams and external suppliers to execute validation activities.

Top Candidates Will Also Have:

• Mechanical engineering background.

• Creo modeling experience highly preferred.

Additional Information:

• Location: Mossville Building AC, Illinois

• Travel: Less that 10% domestic travel expected

• Relocation Assistance: Not available

• Visa Sponsorship: Not available

Final Details:

Please ensure you frequently sign in to your candidate home for any updates or correspondence for positions that you have applied for. https://cat.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/CaterpillarCareers.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. This employer is not currently hiring foreign national applicants that require or will require sponsorship tied to a specific employer, such as, H, L, TN, F, J, E, O. As a global company, Caterpillar offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S which can be found through our employment website at www.caterpillar.com/careers.

EEO/AA Employer.  All qualified individuals - Including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities - are encouraged to apply.

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.

 

 

Summary Pay Range:

$89,210.00 - $133,810.00

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

 

 

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

 

 

 

 

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

 

 

Posting Dates:

September 17, 2026 - October 1, 2026

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

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.  Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.

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