Manufacturing Engineer – Sanford Advanced Manufacturing

Career Area:

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 hiring five Manufacturing Engineers: two focused on Fabrication, one focused on Paint, and two focused on Assembly. Candidates may be considered for the area that best aligns with their experience, interest, and business need.  

The Manufacturing Engineer(s) will contribute to subsystem-level projects that bring manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, automation, connected systems, and production systems into operation for a new smart manufacturing facility, working under the guidance of project engineers and other technical leaders.  

You will be involved from planning through installation, commissioning, launch, and ramp-up. Candidates do not need experience across all three focus areas, but should bring strong manufacturing engineering, process development, project execution, and problem-solving capability in at least one area.  

What You Will Do  

• Participate in facility launch activities from process planning through installation, commissioning, go-live, ramp-up, and steady-state operations, guided by project engineers.  

• Contribute to manufacturing process development and improvement projects in Fabrication, Paint, or Assembly, with responsibility for defined subsystems or project workstreams.  

• Help define and implement practical automation, robotics, connected equipment, error-proofing, and data-enabled processes that improve safety, quality, reliability, flow, and productivity.  

• Contribute to project scopes, schedules, budgets, technical specifications, risk assessments, and readiness plans under the guidance of project engineers.  

• Work with operations, engineering, quality, maintenance, supply chain, facilities, safety, information technology, suppliers, contractors, and system integrators.  

• Provide technical support for equipment, tooling, fixtures, layouts, work methods, process controls, production flow, and manufacturing documentation.  

• Resolve startup issues, complete root cause analysis, implement corrective actions, and support production stabilization.  

• Analyze capacity, cycle times, material flow, labor needs, throughput, bottlenecks, safety risks, and production readiness.  

• Develop standard work, operating procedures, training input, and knowledge transfer for operations and maintenance teams.  

• Share technical knowledge and work with engineers, technicians, and manufacturing team members to apply disciplined problem-solving methods.  

Fabrication Focus Area 

• Experience in automated welding, forming, cutting, machining, fixtures, tooling, weld cells, fabrication layouts, material handling, quality controls, and production troubleshooting. 

• Support the design, installation, commissioning, and optimization of fabrication processes and equipment, partnering with suppliers and internal teams to achieve production readiness.  

• Drive improvements in quality, throughput, uptime, ergonomics, and material flow through data analysis, process monitoring, and structured problem-solving. 

Paint Focus Area 

• Experience in automated paint process development, 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. 

• Support the design, installation, commissioning, and optimization of paint systems and equipment, partnering with suppliers and internal teams to ensure production readiness.  

• Drive improvements in paint quality, material efficiency, throughput, uptime, and process stability through data-driven analysis and continuous improvement. 

Assembly Focus Area 

• Experience may include assembly process development, production line design, tooling and fixture implementation, automated or semi-automated assembly systems, torque systems, fastening, material flow, line balancing, error-proofing, work instructions, standard work, testing, quality validation, and production ramp-up. 

• Support the design, installation, commissioning, and launch of assembly processes, production systems, tooling, automation, and material flow solutions to achieve production readiness.  

• Drive improvements in manufacturability, quality, throughput, and operational performance through process optimization, validation, and cross-functional collaboration. 

What You Will Have  

Manufacturing Engineering: Working knowledge of manufacturing engineering principles, systems, standards, processes, and operational improvement methodologies.  

Project Management: Working-level knowledge of project planning and controls, with the ability to organize and monitor assigned work to meet scope, schedule, quality and budget expectations.  

Process Management: Working-level knowledge of methods used to evaluate, improve, standardize, and optimize business and manufacturing processes.  

Robotics & Computer-Controlled Machinery: Working-level 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 relevant Engineering discipline 

• Experience supporting manufacturing operations, engineering projects, automation initiatives, and production system implementations.  

• Experience developing and optimizing manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, layouts, and production flow.  

• Knowledge of automated, connected, and data-driven manufacturing systems and technologies.  

• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills with a focus on safety, quality, cost, and operational performance.  

• Demonstrated ability to manage priorities, communicate effectively, and collaborate with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and contractors. 

• Experience supporting advanced manufacturing, plant startups, facility expansions, and manufacturing transformation initiatives.  

• Experience implementing automation and smart manufacturing technologies, including robotics, PLCs, machine vision, connected equipment, and digital production systems.  

• Experience leading manufacturing equipment and process deployments from concept through commissioning, validation, and production readiness.  

• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, PFMEA, process validation, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies.  

• Experience in complex manufacturing environments such as heavy equipment, industrial machinery, automotive, aerospace, fabrication, paint, or assembly operations. 

What You Will Get  

• Help launch an advanced manufacturing operation and continue shaping the plant as it moves into sustained production.  

• Contribute in one of three high-impact focus areas: Fabrication, Paint, or Assembly.  

• Work on projects that influence safety, quality, throughput, cost, and operational readiness.  

• Help implement practical automation, connected equipment, and digital work processes in a way that improves performance while supporting the people running the operation.  

• 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:

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

Posting Dates:

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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