Development & Research Engineering Specialist

Career Area: Engineering

Job Description: Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, youre 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 dont 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

As a Development & Research Engineering Specialist, you will manage complex engineering projects involving multiple functions, organizations, products, or value chains. This position will be part of the Advanced Materials Technology (AMT) Development Team located at Caterpillars US Technical Center in Mossville, IL. The role is primarily focused on ferrous metallurgy, and will explore new cast and wrought alloy development, foundry processes, and heat treatments that will ultimately transfer into Caterpillars next generation products and facilities.

What you will do

• Lead and perform on research projects for development and application of alloy and processing combinations to meet component performance and cost targets.
• Establish project success criteria with internal clients, identify required team members, and manage technical challenges to meet committed project deliverables
• Provide technical expertise in development and maintenance of metallurgical specifications and standards for the enterprise
• Direct collaboration with external labs/universities on research and test support

Degree Requirement

• B.S. degree in Metallurgical Engineering or Materials Science and Engineering

Skill Descriptors

• Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on data analysis and informed judgment; identify and prioritize technical and project concerns; consider alternatives and appropriately assess risks
• Effective Communications: Communicate well downward, upward, and outward; adapt documents and presentations for the intended audience; ability to communicate complex concepts and technical issues in clear and concise manner
• Technical Excellence: Broad expertise in casting operations, ferrous alloys and microstructures, heat treating procedures, New Technology (NTI) approaches, industry material and manufacturing standards; ability to develop and apply effective solutions to product and process technical challenges
• Project Management: Proven project leadership and track record for delivering new technologies into component applications; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control projects, ensuring efficient utilization of resources to achieve project objectives.
• Product Testing: Knowledge of material, process and product validation approaches; understanding of metallurgical laboratory techniques and tools, as well as common mechanical testing for material performance; ability to design, plan, and execute testing strategies and tactics to ensure product performance and quality at all stages of development.
• Troubleshooting Technical Problems: Knowledge of troubleshooting approaches, tools and techniques; ability to anticipate, detect and resolve technical problems in a research lab or manufacturing environment.

Top Candidates will also have

• Experience in product or technology development
• Advanced engineering degree
• Familiarity with modeling tools such as ThermoCalc, JMatPro, etc.

Additional Information

• This position posting will close on 4/3/2026 at 11:59 p.m.
• This position will be located in Mossville, IL (Tech Center - Building K) and requires the employee to work onsite 5 days a week.
• Domestic relocation is Available
• VISA Sponsorship is NOT Available
• Travel requirements will be less than 10%.

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.

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Summary Pay Range: $128,470.00 - $192,710.00

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. Relocation is available for this position. Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates: March 20, 2026 - April 3, 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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