Career Area:

Procurement

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.

Role Description:

The primary responsibility of a Senior Supplier Development Engineer is to serve as the trusted advisor for assigned supply base through the following functional responsibilities: Assessing potential suppliers via on-site Quality audits, driving implementation of Lean, BIQ, & APQP, assuring production readiness through rigorous review of supplier PPAP submission, being recognized as an expert in supplier quality.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with suppliers and engineering to assure proper process control standards are in place and continuously monitor key manufacturing processes for improvement opportunities.
• Provide technical support during start-up activities and provide ongoing strategic support.
• Review APQP documentation (e.g., Process FMEA {failure mode & effects analysis}, Process Control Plans, Gage R&R {repeatability & reproducibility}). Participate in process FMEA for suppliers’ manufacturing processes.
• Generating reports on supplier quality, by monitoring their defect rates and areas that can lead to potential flaws; Guiding suppliers to reduce these defect rates.
• Resolve problems between supplier and plants, suppliers, and engineering personnel, and between facilities
• Research and assess potential vendors, assessing their manufacturing environment, practices, and procedures. Conducting supplier quality control audits to ensure compliance with organizational and federal policies and standards.
• Coordinate with engineering personnel on matters regarding Concurrent Product and Process Development (CPPD), New Product Introduction (NPI), Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) teams; prove design to production, engineering changes, deviations, supplier designs, specification approvals
• Supporting suppliers in improving their performance through process enhancements, implementing process controls, and developing quality assurance plans.

Requirements:

• Effective Communications: Extensive understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
• Problem Solving: Extensive knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations.
• Process Improvement: Extensive understanding and insight into evaluating current product quality and production methods and ability to maintain focus on the continuous improvement of processes, products and services.
• Quality Orientation: Expert knowledge of quality management methods, tools, and techniques; ability to create and support an environment that meets the quality goals of the organization.
• Production Part Approval Process (PPAP): Expert knowledge of Production Part Approval Processes (PPAP) elements, submissions, and objectives; ability to determine whether a supplier can manufacture products that meet the quality requirements and standards of their customers consistently.
• Supplier Management - MFG: Extensive knowledge of processes and methods to effectively manage business relationships and transactions with suppliers of raw materials or product components; ability to apply related knowledge, experience and skills into real practice.

Top Candidates will also have:

• Bachelor’s degree related to Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, or other relevant field
• American Supply Quality (ASQ) quality certification is a plus
• Experience with large casting machining and foundries

Additional Information:

• This position requires travel up to 25% of the time. Domestic and international travel a couple times a year.
• This is an on-site position in Lafayette, IN; however, open to secondary on-site location of Mossville, IL (Building AC).

Summary Pay Range:

$126,000.00 - $189,000.00

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:

October 21, 2025 - November 3, 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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