Research Senior Associate Engineer

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.

Role Definition
Designs, develops, builds and evaluates products or technologies.

Responsibilities
•    Providing product development technical and project management interface to management and internal clients.
•    Performing data extraction/analysis, failure analysis and problem solving, application of simulation tools and methods, and practical application of theory and concepts. 
•    Testing products, analyzing test data and making modifications to ensure compliance with specifications and requirements. 
•    Building, testing and modifying product prototypes using working models or theoretical models. 
•    Requires a degree in an accredited Engineering, Computer Science, or Materials Science curriculum.

Degree Requirement
Degree required

Skill Descriptors
Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision.
 Level Working Knowledge: 
•    Accurately gauges the impact and cost of errors, omissions, and oversights.
•    Utilizes specific approaches and tools for checking and cross-checking outputs.
•    Processes limited amounts of detailed information with good accuracy.
•    Learns from mistakes and applies lessons learned.
•    Develops and uses checklists to ensure that information goes out error-free.

Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.
 Level Working Knowledge: 
•    Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue and determining its significance.
•    Makes a systematic comparison of two or more alternative solutions.
•    Uses flow charts, Pareto charts, fish diagrams, etc. to disclose meaningful data patterns.
•    Identifies the major forces, events and people impacting and impacted by the situation at hand.
•    Uses logic and intuition to make inferences about the meaning of the data and arrive at conclusions.

Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
 Level Basic Understanding: 
•    Explains characteristics and steps in an effective decision-making process.
•    Identifies issues and communicates with others when a decision needs to be made.
•    Names decision makers in own environment and cites examples of past decisions.
•    Describes types of decisions incumbent may and may not make in own job or function.

Effective Communications: 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.
 Level Basic Understanding: 
•    Describes non-verbal behaviors that influence the interpretation of the message.
•    Cites examples of effective and ineffective communications.
•    Explains the importance of effective business communication.
•    Speaks/writes using correct language, mechanics, and gestures.

Technical Excellence: Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.
 Level Basic Understanding: 
•    Uses a structured approach in analyzing and resolving technical problems.
•    Seeks opportunities for continual learning to maintain technical competence in pursuit of technical excellence.
•    Provides examples or case studies demonstrating technical excellence in actual business scenarios.
•    Pursues, prepares for and assumes new technical assignments and challenges.

Manufacturing Standards, Procedures and Policies: Knowledge of organizational standards, procedures and policies in manufacturing activities; ability to plan, guide, and monitor manufacturing processes for compliance.
 Level Basic Understanding: 
•    Discusses the relevance of standards for a manufacturing environment.
•    Researches process and product blueprints for own area.
•    Describes and follows all policies, standards and procedures.
•    Obtains documentation and information on standards and their usage.

Product Testing: Knowledge of product testing approaches, techniques and tools; ability to design, plan and execute testing strategies and tactics to ensure product quality at all stages of manufacturing.
 Level Working Knowledge: 
•    Documents test process and results; prepares and analyzes defect-tracking reports.
•    Summarizes features of a specific product-testing process and associated procedures.
•    Tests components for compliance with functional requirements and established conventions.
•    Discusses and compares usability, safety and integration testing.
•    Develops product-testing procedures; participates in selecting testing environment and tools.

Troubleshooting Technical Problems: Knowledge of troubleshooting approaches, tools and techniques; ability to anticipate, detect and resolve technical problems in a manufacturing or product development environment.
 Level Basic Understanding: 
•    Explains where to locate basic help facilities and troubleshooting guides.
•    Discusses basic concepts behind a systematic approach to solving technical problems.
•    Identifies available resources and support systems for troubleshooting.
•    Describes problem identification, reporting and escalation procedures.

Posting Dates:

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply

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