Mechanical Engineer 1 (103962-1)

Cullerton Group has a new opportunity for a Mechanical Engineer 1. The work will be done onsite in Decatur, IL. This is a 12-month position that can lead to permanent employment with our client. Compensation is up to $32/hour + full benefits (vision, dental, health insurance, 401k, and holiday pay).
Job Summary
We are seeking an entry-level Mechanical Engineer to support manufacturing operations by resolving engineering issues on the assembly floor and assisting with new product introductions. This hands-on role works closely with manufacturing, quality, and design engineering teams to improve product quality, support prototype and pilot builds, and implement continuous improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate enjoys working in both office and manufacturing environments and is eager to build practical engineering experience with large industrial equipment.
Key Responsibilities

• Support manufacturing and assembly operations by investigating and resolving engineering issues on the shop floor.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and design engineering teams to resolve Assembly Quality Events (AQEs), Built-In Quality (BIQ) issues, and continuous improvement projects.
• Update engineering documentation, machine-level prints, bills of materials (BOMs), and support engineering deviations as needed.
• Assist with prototype and pilot machine builds as part of New Product Introduction (NPI) activities.
• Perform product inspections, pre-delivery audits, documentation, and communicate findings to support product quality improvements.

Required Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 0–2 years of engineering experience (relevant internships and project experience may be considered).
• Experience or exposure to manufacturing, machine assembly, or production environments.
• Basic understanding of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) and the ability to read engineering drawings and blueprints.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Power BI.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with machine or process design, engineering coordination, or manufacturing support.
• Familiarity with Teamcenter, VisView, Tableau, or other engineering and manufacturing software.
• Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI), Built-In Quality (BIQ), or continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience working in industrial manufacturing or large equipment assembly environments is preferred.

Why This Role?
This position offers an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience supporting large industrial equipment manufacturing while working directly with engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams. You'll contribute to product quality improvements, prototype builds, and continuous improvement initiatives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. Cullerton Group provides a professional environment with growth potential and a strong partnership with Caterpillar.