Manufacturing Engineer

Duties / Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and optimize manufacturing and assembly processes for defense powertrain systems, ensuring efficient, safe, and high-quality production.
• Plan and support assembly operations for engines, transmissions, cooling systems, hydraulic systems, and complete powertrain assemblies.
• Lead powertrain assembly and vehicle integration activities, ensuring proper installation, alignment, fitment, and functional performance.
• Create and maintain manufacturing documentation, including work instructions, assembly procedures, process flow diagrams, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Support prototype builds, pilot production, first article inspections (FAI), and production ramp-up activities.
• Collaborate with design, systems, validation, quality, supply chain, and manufacturing teams to resolve assembly, integration, and production issues.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to improve product quality and manufacturing efficiency.
• Develop and improve tooling, fixtures, assembly methods, and manufacturing processes to enhance safety, quality, productivity, and throughput.
• Support product validation, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), vehicle integration testing, and production quality audits.
• Participate in Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), design reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with Caterpillar engineering practices, military standards, quality requirements, and customer specifications.
• Monitor manufacturing performance and recommend process improvements to reduce waste, improve reliability, and increase operational efficiency.

Required Skills

• Experience developing and optimizing manufacturing and assembly processes for complex mechanical systems.
• Strong knowledge of powertrain assembly, vehicle integration, and manufacturing operations.
• Experience supporting assembly of engines, transmissions, cooling systems, hydraulic systems, or complete vehicle powertrains.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, PFMEA, Control Plans, standard work, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, Bills of Materials (BOMs), and manufacturing documentation.
• Experience developing work instructions, assembly procedures, process flow diagrams, and manufacturing documentation.
• Strong troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience developing tooling, fixtures, and assembly methods to improve manufacturing efficiency.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with cross-functional engineering and production teams.
• Familiarity with Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) processes.

Education / Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 3–8 years of experience in manufacturing engineering, assembly engineering, production engineering, or vehicle/powertrain integration.
• Experience with manufacturing process development, assembly planning, production support, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience supporting prototype builds, pilot production, production launch, manufacturing validation, and production ramp-up activities.
• Experience using Teamcenter, Windchill, SAP, or other PLM/ERP systems is preferred.
• Experience in defense, military, heavy equipment, construction, mining, agricultural, or off-highway vehicle manufacturing is highly preferred.
• Experience supporting engine, transmission, cooling, hydraulic, or complete powertrain assembly programs is strongly preferred.