Associate Design 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.

"Updated: 03/17/2025

Role Definition
Designs, develops, builds, and implements new components, products, or technologies.

Responsibilities
•    Researching new materials and competitive products. Organizing, coordinating, and executing the building, testing, and analysis of prototypes.
•    Assisting supply specialists and buyers with supplier development and supplier performance. Overseeing the efforts of drafting and testing specialists.
•    Developing and documenting functional requirements and translating into detail design documents. Participating in buy-build analysis for product components.
•    Participating in and supporting proposal preparation, cost estimates, and technical reports.
•    Requires a degree in an accredited Engineering, Computer Science, or Materials Science curriculum.

Degree Requirement
Degree required

Skill Descriptors
Data Gathering & Analysis: Knowledge of data gathering and analysis tools, techniques, and processes; ability to collect and synthesize data from a variety of stakeholders and sources in an objective manner to reach a conclusion, goal, or judgment.
 Level Basic Understanding: 
•    Describes alternative data-gathering techniques and tools.
•    Documents basic data-gathering methodologies.
•    Identifies the purposes of data gathering and analysis.
•    Identifies key objectives in gathering and analyzing data.

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 Basic Understanding: 
•    Names specific tools or techniques that can be used to support the analytical thinking process.
•    Describes specific software applications or products used for business analytics.
•    Gives examples of how analytical thinking has been used to resolve problems.
•    Helps others research and learn more about business analytics tools and applications.

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 Working Knowledge: 
•    Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending the recipient.
•    Listens to feedback without defensiveness and uses it for own communication effectiveness.
•    Makes oral presentations and writes reports needed for own work.
•    Avoids technical jargon when inappropriate.
•    Looks for and considers non-verbal cues from individuals and groups.

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.

3D Software: Knowledge of the types, features and tools of 3D software; ability to use, implement, test and upgrade the software package in the process of 3D models production.
 Level Working Knowledge: 
•    Assists in designing 3D models using appropriate software.
•    Helps others to install and maintain 3D modeling and rendering software.
•    Discusses the pros and cons of competitive 3D software from a business perspective.
•    Works with the standard features and facilities of 3D software.
•    Asks industry experts about the usage and functionality of a particular 3D rendering software.

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 Basic Understanding: 
•    Describes key features and aspects of a specific testing discipline or methodology.
•    Describes common errors that are uncovered by product testing.
•    Cites examples of testing tools and practices currently in use.
•    Names key documentation (paper, audio, video) required during the testing process.

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.

This Job Description is intended as a general guide to the job duties for this position and is intended for the purpose of establishing the specific salary grade.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive summary of all responsibilities, duties and effort required of employees assigned to this job.  At the discretion of management, this description may be changed at any time to address the evolving needs of the organization.  It is expressly not intended to be a comprehensive list of “essential job functions” as that term is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act."

Posting Dates:

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO).

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