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Design Engineer - Structures

Caterpillar

Caterpillar

Design
Peoria, IL, USA
USD 95,640-143,520 / year
Posted on Aug 5, 2025

Career Area:

Engineering

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.

Design the Future of Heavy Equipment with Caterpillar’s Medium Wheel Loader Team!

Are you passionate about engineering innovation and ready to make your mark on machines that move the world? Join Caterpillar’s Medium Wheel Loader (MWL) Engineering team as a Design Engineer – Structures, where you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the structural systems behind our powerful 980–982 model series.

In this role, you won’t just design—you’ll lead the charge in creating high-performance, durable front frame structures that meet the toughest demands in the field. You’ll collaborate with a dynamic network of experts across disciplines and organizations, bringing your ideas to life through cutting-edge simulations and real-world validation.

If you're driven by challenge, excited by innovation, and eager to see your work in action on a global scale—this is your opportunity to build something that lasts.

What You Will Do:

  • Take ownership of the structural design for Caterpillar’s 980 and 982 Medium Wheel Loaders, both current models and future innovations through our New Product Introduction (NPI) process.
  • Drive performance and reliability by leading virtual product development (VPD) simulations that validate and refine your designs at the machine and system level.
  • Bring ideas to life by planning and executing prototype builds, coordinating testing, and analyzing performance data to ensure real-world success.
  • Translating vision into reality by developing functional requirements and turning them into detailed, actionable design specifications.
  • Influence key decisions by contributing to make-versus-buy analyses and collaborating across worldwide manufacturing teams to ensure the best outcomes.
  • Shape the future by supporting proposal development, cost estimation, and technical documentation that guide our next generation of products.

What You Have (Basic Qualifications):

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering
  • Proven structural design experience with a strong understanding of how to develop durable, high-performance welded components and castings. Hands-on experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Fatigue Life Analysis to ensure structural integrity and durability under real-world conditions
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify root causes of complex problems and develop innovative, effective solutions
  • Excellent communication skills that support collaboration across worldwide diverse teams and functional areas
  • A commitment to technical excellence, demonstrated by successfully solving significant engineering challenges
  • Experience in product design for manufacturing, including proficiency with tools such as Creo, Creo Simulate (or similar), and systems modeling software like Dynasty

Top Candidates Will Have:

  • An advanced engineering degree or equivalent hands-on experience in product development
  • A strong track record of delivering results in complex product development environments
  • Deep expertise in fabricated structures, including design, analysis, and manufacturing processes
  • Proficiency in simulation tools for welded structures, data interpretation, and engineering release systems
  • Strong project management and technical leadership skills, with the ability to thrive in fast-paced, dynamic settings

Additional Info:

  • Office Model: This position requires the employee to work a 5-day-a-week schedule in the office.
  • Travel: 5-10% domestic and international travel is expected.
  • Relocation: Domestic relocation will be available to those who qualify.
  • ISE: Not available.
  • Visa Sponsorship: Not available.

Summary Pay Range:

$95,640.00 - $143,520.00

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. This employer is not currently hiring foreign national applicants that require or will require sponsorship tied to a specific employer, such as, H, L, TN, F, J, E, O. As a global company, Caterpillar offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S which can be found through our employment website at www.caterpillar.com/careers.

Posting Dates:

August 4, 2025 - August 17, 2025

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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