
Senior Design Engineer
Job Description
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.
Caterpillar’s
BCP division
is hiring
for
S
enio
r Design Engineer
in Sanford, NC.
Role Summary:
As a Senior Design Engineer within Caterpillar’s BCP division, you will
serve as a senior
technical
contributor within
the Compact Utility Loader (CUL) Product
Chassis team in support of new product introduction (NPI)
, continuous product improvement
(CPI
)
, and production readiness activities. This role
is responsible for
developing robust chassis
system designs
that balance packaging, manufacturability, serviceability, durability, cost, and adjacent system requirements.
You will work closely with engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, purchasing, quality, service, and product teams to resolve complex design and production issues, support hands-on machine fit-ups and prototype builds, and release high-quality engineering documentation. The ideal candidate brings strong mechanical design capability, practical problem-solving skills, and the ability to
apply
technical
expertise
to the most challenging assignments
while
helping align recommendations
across cross-functional
partners and mentoring less-experienced engineers
.
What
You’ll
Do (Job Duties)
Serve as a senior
technical
contributor
within the CUL Chassis team by
applying expert judgment to complex
design decisions,
leading multiple projects,
mentoring
less-experienced engineers
, and sharing best practices.
Support CUL Chassis NPI and CPI activities
through design, validation, release, issue resolution, and production support.
Design chassis components
and hydraulic line routing solutions—including light fabrications, brackets, guards, non-metallic tanks, and mounting hardware—that balance packaging, installation feasibility, serviceability, manufacturability, cost, tolerance requirements, and adjacent system needs.
Drive resolution
of complex design, quality, supplier, production, warranty, and field issues by coordinating analysis, corrective actions, and implementation plans.
Participate in hands-on machine fit-ups
, prototype builds, design reviews, and production readiness activities while incorporating operator, customer, dealer, and field feedback into product improvements.
Create and release engineering documentation
, including models, drawings, specifications, test plans, and engineering change records, in collaboration with manufacturing, suppliers, purchasing, quality, service, and product teams.
What You Have (Core Skills)
Analytical Thinking:
Ability to evaluate product, production, supplier, and field issues using data, root cause methods, and engineering judgment to define practical corrective actions.
Effective Communications:
Ability to clearly communicate technical information, design tradeoffs, risks, and recommendations to engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, quality, service, and product stakeholders.
Managing Multiple Priorities:
Ability to manage concurrent NPI, CPI, release, validation, and production-support activities while balancing urgency, quality, cost, and schedule.
Technical Excellence:
Ability to develop robust chassis
component
and hydraulic line routing solutions that balance packaging, manufacturability, serviceability, durability, cost, and adjacent system needs.
Computer-Aided Design & Engineering:
Ability to create, analyze, and release 3D models, drawings, specifications, and engineering changes using CAD/CAE tools and sound design practices.
Product Design and Development:
Ability to support mechanical
component
design from concept through production, including fit-up, validation, engineering release, and continuous product improvement.
Top Candidates Will Also Have
Requires a bachelor's
degree in Engineering or related fields.
D
esign engineering experience with
demonstrated
ownership of
component
design, technical issue resolution, engineering release, and cross-functional production support.
Experience
supporting coordination of complex
issues and engineering releases
across stakeholders
.
Experience with testbed and
early-NPI
machine layout and concepting.
Experience using CPI analysis tools and processes to evaluate product issues,
identify
root cause, prioritize improvements, and support corrective action plans.
Demonstrated ability to
provide
expert
technical
guidance
, mentor
less-experienced engineers
, and influence design direction without direct authority.
Additional Details
Work location:
Sanford, NC
Domestic relocation
assistance
is
available for this role
.
Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this role.
Travel: 10%, including international travel.
This position requires 5 days per week in the office (M-F)
Summary Pay Range:
$112,710.00 - $169,060.00
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.
Posting Dates:
July 22, 2026 - August 5, 2026
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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