Manufacturing Project Engineer - Sanford Advanced Manufacturing

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.

Caterpillar is developing a new advanced manufacturing campus in Sanford, North Carolina, to expand production capacity for compact track loaders and telehandlers. The modern, technology-enabled operation is expected to incorporate automation, robotics, digital production systems, and integrated logistics capabilities to enhance safety, quality, and operational performance. Employees will help build the products our customers rely on while developing skills in advanced manufacturing and supporting the continued growth of Caterpillar's Cat Compact business.

Job Summary

We are seeking two Manufacturing Project Engineers: one focused on Paint and one focused on Assembly. These roles are ideal for someone who wants to lead the development of a manufacturing operation from the ground up. You will own major projects and integrated manufacturing systems across an entire Paint or Assembly line, bringing new processes, equipment, automation, robotics, connected systems, and digital manufacturing tools into production. The goal is to achieve benchmark levels of safety, quality, and efficiency through lean manufacturing processes, robust quality systems, and practical smart automation solutions.

The role carries end-to-end responsibility at the entire Paint or Assembly line level-not only for individual pieces of equipment or isolated subsystems. You will lead work from early concept and line design through supplier selection, equipment installation, system integration, commissioning, and launch.

Candidates do not need experience in both Paint and Assembly, but should bring strong manufacturing engineering, process development, project execution, and problem-solving capability relevant to one or both areas.

What You Will Do

• Establish the operating concept, technical requirements, production flow, and performance standards of the paint and assembly line.
• Own major project scopes, schedules, budgets, technical specifications, risk assessments, supplier deliverables, implementation plans, and final acceptance criteria.
• Work with operations, engineering, quality, maintenance, supply chain, facilities, safety, information technology, suppliers, and contractors.
• Provide technical leadership for the integrated line system, including equipment, tooling, fixtures, process controls, layouts, material flow, interfaces, and production performance.
• Identify practical opportunities for automation, robotics, error-proofing, machine connectivity, digital work processes, and data-driven improvement.
• Lead suppliers and system integrators through design reviews, interface management, installation, commissioning, validation, performance testing, and final acceptance of line-level systems.
• Analyze capacity, cycle times, material flow, labor needs, throughput, bottlenecks, and production readiness.
• Develop standard work, process documentation, operating procedures, preventive maintenance input, and knowledge transfer for operations and maintenance teams.
• Mentor engineers, technicians, and manufacturing team members to strengthen technical capability and disciplined problem solving.

Paint Focus

• Lead development and integration of the complete automated paint line as a manufacturing system, with responsibility spanning process design, major capital projects, equipment interfaces, launch, and sustained line performance.
• Relevant experience may include paint system implementation, coatings operations, robotic application systems, pretreatment, e-coat, powder coat, liquid paint, ovens, booths, conveyors, environmental controls, paint delivery systems, quality systems, and process troubleshooting.
• Lead end-to-end paint line projects, including system design, equipment selection, installation, commissioning, startup, and production stabilization.
• Optimize paint operations across booths, ovens, conveyors, robotics, material delivery, and environmental systems to improve quality, throughput, uptime, and efficiency.
• Collaborate with suppliers and cross-functional teams to resolve technical issues, enhance process performance, implement root-cause solutions, and ensure safe, compliant, production-ready operations.

Assembly Focus

• Lead development and integration of the complete assembly line as a manufacturing system, with responsibility for line design, major capital projects, tooling and equipment interfaces, automated or semi-automated systems, material flow, line balancing, error-proofing, testing, launch, and sustained production performance.
• Lead end-to-end assembly line design, implementation, commissioning, and production startup, including workflow, workstation layout, tooling, fixtures, and equipment integration.
• Develop and optimize assembly processes, material flow, line balancing, automation, robotics, and error-proofing systems to improve quality, throughput, and efficiency.
• Partner with cross-functional teams and suppliers to support manufacturability, process validation, launch readiness, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives.

What You Will Have

Manufacturing Engineering: Knowledge of manufacturing engineering principles, systems, standards, processes, and operational improvement methodologies. Experience taking manufacturing processes or equipment from concept through procurement, installation, commissioning, validation, and startup.

Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, monitor, and successfully deliver manufacturing projects to scope, schedule, quality, and budget requirements. Experience leading capital projects, full production-line installations, integrated manufacturing systems, equipment upgrades, or automation initiatives.

Process Management: Ability to evaluate, improve, standardize, and optimize business and manufacturing processes. Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, PFMEA, control plans, root cause analysis, process validation, 5S, or operational excellence methods.

Robotics & Computer-Controlled Machinery: Knowledge of robotics technologies, automation solutions, machine controls, connected equipment, and advanced manufacturing equipment.

Collaborating: Ability to work effectively across functions, departments, suppliers, and stakeholders to achieve shared business objectives.

Top Candidates Will Also Have

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field.
• Experience with digital work instructions, machine connectivity, production data, quality systems, or smart manufacturing tools.
• Previous experience in assembly production line design and/or industrial paint experience
• Experience supporting an advanced manufacturing facility, new plant startup, facility expansion, ongoing plant engineering support, or major manufacturing transformation.
• Demonstrated success implementing robotic systems, automated equipment, machine vision, PLCs, HMIs, connected equipment, torque systems, conveyors, automated material movement, or computer-controlled manufacturing systems in an Industry 4.0 environment.
• Experience developing business cases, cost estimates, technical evaluations, and project recommendations for manufacturing investments.
• Experience in heavy equipment, industrial machinery, automotive, aerospace, durable goods, coatings, fabrication, assembly, or another complex manufacturing environment.

What You Will Get

• Help launch an advanced manufacturing operation
• Support one of two high-impact focus areas: Paint or Assembly.
• Lead major projects and make line-level decisions that influence safety, quality, throughput, cost, and operational readiness.
• Help implement practical automation, robotics, connected equipment, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Build scalable, repeatable, data-enabled manufacturing processes that support long-term plant operations.
• Grow your project leadership and manufacturing engineering experience in a complex production environment.

Additional Info:

• Location: Sanford, North Carolina
• Work Arrangement: Onsite, five days per week. Locations may flex between temporary offices while transitioning to new facility.
• Travel: High percentage of travel (50-75%) may be required during construction planning, supplier reviews, equipment installation, commissioning, startup and production ramp-up.
• Schedule: This will be a demanding and very rewarding role. Selected candidate should have schedule flexibility to meet project requirements.
• Relocation: US domestic relocation is available
• Visa Sponsorship: Not available

Summary Pay Range:

$147,760.00 - $221,640.00

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:

October 5, 2026 - October 18, 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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