Manufacturing Controls Engineer - PLC

Career Area:

Manufacturing

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.

Hear about the Caterpillar Experience for yourself

Role Definition

This position will work with a cross-functional team to define software requirements to support Continuous Product Improvement (CPI), New Product Introduction (NPI), and aftermarket demand. The individual will have end-to-end responsibility of Electric Rope Shovel software from implementation to releasing and will be the technical expert in Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)/Human Machine Interface (HMI)/technology software.

What you will do

• Program and troubleshoot software per requirements.

• Write structured and well-documented requirements.

• Develop a test plan for software.

• Test/validate software on the bench and on the machine.

• Support cross-functional teams on Logic Controller (PLC) / Human Machine Interface (HMI) related topics.

• Plan and manage deliverables to ensure project timelines are met.

• Guide and collaborate with other programmers.

Degree Requirement

• Bachelor’s degree in an accredited Engineering curriculum or equivalent experience desired.

What you must have (skills)

• Data Gathering & Analysis: Knowledge of data gathering and analysis tools, techniques, and processes; ability to collect and synthesize data from a variety of stakeholders and sources in an objective manner to reach a conclusion, goal, or judgment.

• Industrial Automation/Automatic Control: Knowledge of various industrial automatic control systems, processes and methodologies in a manufacturing environment; ability to design, implement and maintain automatic production systems/processes to improve productivity and efficiency, as well as minimize human intervention.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Robotics/Computer Controlled Machinery: Knowledge of robotics technologies and computer controlled machinery; ability to implement and operate robotics and computer controlled machinery in an automated manufacturing environment.

• Technical Troubleshooting: Knowledge of technical troubleshooting approaches, tools, and techniques; ability to anticipate, recognize, and resolve technical issues on hardware, software, application, or operation.

• Robotic Process Automation (RPA): Knowledge of techniques and processes of robotic process automation (RPA); ability to develop and deploy RPA solutions in various industries.

Top candidates will also have

• 8+ years of PLC/HMI software development, design, and troubleshooting experience.

• Experience in Siemens Step 7 and Siemens WinCC program.

• Prior off-highway machine/mining experience.

• Allen Bradley PLC5 / Factory Talk Experience.

• Experience in Matlab Simulink / C / C++ program.

• Field service experience.

• Ability to work independently.

• Experience in the hydraulic system.

• Experience with manufacturing support activities.

• Prior experience working within new product development program, continuous product improvement program, and/or aftermarket sale.

• Ability to multitask and adjust to changing priorities as needs arise.

Additional Information

• This position will close at 11:59 p.m. on 09/04/2026.

• This position will be located onsite 5 days a week in East Peoria, IL (Building KK).

• Relocation assistance is NOT available for this position.

• Sponsorship is NOT available for this position.

• This position may require less than 10% travel. 

Final details

Please frequently check the email associated with your application, including the junk/spam folder, as this is the primary correspondence method. If you wish to know the status of your application – please use the candidate log-in on our career website as it will reflect any updates to your status.

#LI #MilitaryMonday #Letsdothework #caterpillarinc #Iamcaterpillar

 

 

Summary Pay Range:

$112,710.00 - $169,060.00

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:

August 21, 2026 - September 4, 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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