Engineering Specialist – Drills Performance & Simulation

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.

As an Engineering Specialist – Performance/Simulation/Application for the Surface Rock Drills team, you will work to drive machine‑level performance through advanced simulation, analysis, and data‑driven decision making. In this role, you will tackle complex engineering challenges across systems and components while shaping the performance and design of both current and next‑generation Caterpillar products.

Why This Role Is Exciting:

• Lead machine‑level performance engineering for Surface Rock Drills, influencing both existing products and future platforms.

• Apply deep expertise in machine systems and simulations to guide critical design and performance tradeoff decisions.

• Work at the center of the product group, collaborating closely with system, component, and validation teams.

• Define and influence validation strategy for New Product Introduction (NPI) programs to ensure performance targets are met.

• Use data analytics and simulation tools to make impactful, evidence‑based performance decisions that matter to customers.

• See your work directly translate into improved product quality, customer outcomes, and next‑generation drill designs.

What You Will Do

• Partner with customers, product leadership, and cross‑functional teams to scope and deliver performance‑focused projects.

• Produce timely, high‑quality simulation and analysis that drives product and process decisions.

• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, supply chain, and test teams to support robust product delivery and validation.

• Develop, validate, and maintain base machine analytical tools.

• Identify and close performance and validation gaps, including competitive and customer impact.

• Continuously improve analytical methods, tools, and technologies.

Skills You Will Have:

Technical Excellence

• Provides technical leadership for machine‑level performance using simulation and analytical methods.

• Partners with system and component teams to assess interactions and balance performance tradeoffs.

• Mentors and guides others in solving complex machine and system challenges.

• Accountable for delivering high‑quality technical analysis and upholding performance standards.

Analytical Thinking

• Diagnoses complex machine performance issues by identifying gaps, root causes, and system‑level contributors.

• Applies data analytics to assess cost, risk, benefit, and customer impact.

• Decomposes machine‑level problems into component and subsystem analyses.

• Selects appropriate simulation and analytical tools to support data‑driven decisions.

Accuracy and Attention to Detail

• Develops, validates, and refines analytical tools to ensure accuracy and correlation to physical performance.

• Identifies validation and data gaps that affect confidence in performance conclusions.

• Quantifies the impact of errors and performance deviations on product and customer outcomes.

• Reinforces quality management practices across analysis, validation, and reporting.

Process Management

• Defines and improves analysis and validation processes to support NPI and ongoing product performance.

• Demonstrates deep understanding of end‑to‑end machine performance processes and dependencies.

• Coordinates analysis activities across cross‑functional teams.

• Builds business cases for new or improved processes using cost‑benefit and performance impact analysis.

Effective Communications

• Communicates technical findings, risks, and recommendations clearly to technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

• Adapts analysis outputs and presentations for leadership, project teams, and customers.

• Influences decisions through data‑backed recommendations with a collaborative approach.

• Maintains focus on performance objectives, risks, and next steps.

Problem Solving

• Leads structured problem‑solving efforts for high‑impact, cross‑functional machine performance issues.

• Aligns stakeholders on problem definition, analytical approach, validation scope, and decision criteria.

• Evaluates long‑term implications of performance alternatives and system tradeoffs.

• Applies industry best practices and emerging technologies to strengthen problem‑solving capability.

Project Management

• Plans and executes simulation, analysis, and validation activities to meet timeline and quality objectives.

• Identifies performance risks and validation gaps; develops mitigation plans.

• Conducts regular project reviews with teams and leadership.

• Ensures transparency through clear reporting and performance tracking.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in an accredited Engineering, Computer Science, or Materials Science program.

Top Candidates Will Also Have

• Experience performing analysis and simulation for Caterpillar machine systems.

• Knowledge of Surface Rock Drill applications, configurations, and product history.

• Strong understanding of machine performance drivers, including engine, hydraulics, compressed air, and cooling systems.

• Broad knowledge of core machine systems and subsystems.

• Working proficiency with tools such as Dynasty, DATK, D2D, Excel, Cool‑1, Simulink, Tableau, and Power BI.

• Experience with control systems and performance‑related technologies.

• Proficiency with engineering data systems such as EDS, HVC, and VisView.

• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative mindset.

• Demonstrated leadership capability, project management experience, and effective communication skills.

Additional information:

• Location: The location for this position is Denison, TX

• Relocation: Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position.

• Travel: Occasional travel (10%) may be required to support activities at manufacturing and/or customer sites.

• Sponsorship: Sponsorship is not available.

Discover more about our drill products by visiting this link:  Caterpillar Drills

Summary Pay Range:

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

Posting Dates:

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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