Agricultural Equipment, Analysis Skills, Communication Skills, Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA), Hydraulic Engineering, Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering, Mining Shovels, Off-Highway Truck, Problem Solving Skills, Requirements Management, Robotics, Root Cause Analysis, Team Player, Wheel Tractor Scraper
Location:Decatur, Illinois
Role Context & Team Scope
The position supports the Drivetrain Engineering team based in Decatur, IL. The team has design control responsibility across a wide range of Caterpillar products, including:
- Large Mining Trucks
- Off Highway Trucks
- Wheel Tractor Scrapers
- Hydraulic Mining Shovels
- Electric Rope Shovels
- Draglines
- Rotary Drills
The scope includes gearboxes, axles, transmissions, torque converters, and related drivetrain components.
Primary Product Focus
- Large Mining Truck / Off Highway Truck / Wheel Tractor Scraper Axles
- Differentials
- Final drives
- Brakes
- Axle level components
Nature of the Work
This role is a systems focused mechanical engineering position with a mix of responsibilities:
- System level design and modeling
- Concept modeling and system modeling
- Requirements development
- FMEAs and root cause problem solving
- Detail design ownership for select parts
- Coordination with component teams who own detailed part design
Candidate Profile the Team Is Looking For
- Strong technical aptitude and problem solving ability
- Good communication and teamwork skills
- Ability and willingness to learn drivetrain systems
- Comfort working across design, modeling, analysis, and manufacturing support
Backgrounds That Have Been Successful
- Hands on mechanical or technical experience
- Robotics (e.g., FIRST Robotics / FIRST Tech Challenge)
- Farm equipment, vehicles, or machinery
- Modeling and detailing focused engineers
- Experience with complex part design
- Strong root cause analysis and DFMEA skills
- Analysis heavy backgrounds
- Combined with mechanical aptitude and structured problem solving
Experience & Education Expectations
- Experience target:
- Generally 8–10 years, regardless of Bachelor's or Master's degree
- Candidates with only 2–3 years of experience are unlikely to be successful given the technical depth of the team
- Education:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering
- Exceptional backgrounds may be considered outside the standard range
Key Success Traits for This Role
Brian highlighted the following as critical to success:
- Strong problem solving and analytical skills
- Modeling and detailing capability
- Mechanical aptitude
- Clear communication skills
- Ability to work effectively in a team based environment