Senior Design Engineer-Ground Engaging Tool

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

Serves as the Design Control Owner for Ground Engaging Tool (GET) systems for Underground Mining (UGM) Loaders. Leads design, development, validation, and commercialization of GET products while driving New Product Introduction (NPI), Current Product Improvement (CPI), cost reduction, and product quality initiatives. Responsible for balancing customer value, product performance, durability, manufacturability, and lifecycle cost.

Key Responsibilities

• Own GET system design and development for Tooth Points, Adapters, Wear Caps, Shrouds, Heel Shrouds, Side Bar Protectors, and related wear components used in underground mining applications.
• Serve as the Design Control Owner responsible for technical decisions, product readiness, design validation, and successful product launch execution.
• Lead NPI, CPI, quality improvement, and cost reduction projects while ensuring alignment with customer and business objectives.
• Develop and validate design solutions using FEA, performance simulations, wear simulations, and DEM modeling to optimize durability, productivity, and component life.
• Develop breakout force calculations, application load cases, and performance requirements through deep understanding of machine application and customer usage.
• Apply advanced knowledge of casting design, heat treatment, metallurgy, wear mechanisms, and manufacturing processes to improve product performance and reliability.
• Partner closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Product Support, Validation, and Commercial teams to ensure product readiness and successful implementation.
• Understand and drive key business metrics including Cost per Hour, Cost per Ton, customer productivity, and Customer Value Agreements (CVAs) to deliver superior customer value.
• Identify and influence product cost drivers through material selection, manufacturing process optimization, design simplification, and value engineering initiatives.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership across cross-functional product teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.
• 8+ years of product development experience in mining, construction, wear components, GET systems, structures, or heavy equipment.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex product development projects and cross-functional teams.

Critical Technical Skills

• Product Design & Development
• Design Ownership & Product Readiness
• FEA & Performance Simulation
• DEM & Wear Simulation
• Casting Design & Manufacturing
• Heat Treatment & Metallurgy
• Wear & Tribology
• Application Load Development
• Cost Modeling & Value Engineering
• NPI / CPI Leadership
• Customer Application Knowledge
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Technical Leadership

Skill Descriptors:

Analytical Thinking & AI Uses:

Knowledge of analytical techniques, engineering tools, simulation methods, and AI-assisted technologies that promote effective problem solving; ability to identify root causes of design and performance issues and develop multiple solutions that optimize customer value, durability, manufacturability, and cost.

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.

Managing Multiple Priorities:

Knowledge of effective self-management practices; ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments as to prioritizing and time allocation.

Technical Excellence & Innovation:

Knowledge of mining applications, Ground Engaging Tool (GET) systems, wear technologies, and engineering methodologies; ability to develop innovative solutions to complex technical challenges while improving customer value, product performance, durability, and cost competitiveness.

Computer-Aided Design & Engineering:

Knowledge of engineering tools (Creo, Teamcenter, ANSYS, DEM, Wear Simulation) and techniques of parametric design, simulation, and knowledge-based engineering; ability to design, analyze, simulate, validate, and optimize Ground Engaging Tool (GET) systems throughout the product development lifecycle.

Product Design and Development:

 Knowledge of product features; ability to design, build, and develop a new product, technology, or service from concept through to production.
 

Posting Dates:

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

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