Development & Research Engineering Specialist

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. Hear about the Caterpillar Experience for yourself Role Definition Caterpillar’s Advanced Materials Technology Department is currently seeking a Development & Research Engineering Specialist to support heat treat operations, induction processing systems, and advanced manufacturing technologies across multiple facilities. This role blends metallurgical engineering expertise with automation, process control, and manufacturing systems integration to optimize product quality, process capability, equipment reliability, and operational efficiency.

PLC, Controls & Automation Systems Own troubleshooting, modification, and support of PLC-controlled manufacturing systems in production environments Maintain and optimize PLC ladder logic, HMI/SCADA systems (including Wonderware), and controls architecture Integrate new equipment, sensors, and systems into existing PLC frameworks Diagnose system faults and implement corrective actions to restore uptime Heat Treat & Induction Equipment Provide controls and electrical support for heat treat furnaces, induction systems, and related equipment Support commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting of furnace cells and automation systems Execute control revisions and upgrades for new and existing heat treat technologies Manufacturing Systems Integration Lead integration of automation systems including robotics, MECCO printers, vision systems, and material handling Configure communication between PLCs, HMIs, databases, and enterprise systems Support recipe management, data collection systems, and plant-level automation architecture On-Floor Diagnostics & Troubleshooting Perform advanced troubleshooting of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems in live production environments Provide rapid response support to minimize downtime across multiple facilities Deliver both on-site and remote technical support across geographically distributed operations Energy Monitoring & Digital Systems Design, install, and integrate power and gas metering systems into manufacturing equipment Develop and maintain Power BI dashboards for energy monitoring and reporting Enable data-driven decision making through system integration and reporting tools Capital Projects & Commissioning Support implementation of capital projects including furnace installations, automation upgrades, and new production cells Perform equipment commissioning, system validation, and startup support Bridge manpower gaps on high-impact projects to ensure successful delivery Training & Cross-Site Support Train maintenance teams on troubleshooting PLC and automation systems to increase plant self-sufficiency Provide technical mentorship and knowledge transfer to operations and engineering teams Support multiple facilities across the U.S. and Mexico through travel and remote engagement Degree Requirement Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical Engineering or Materials Science & Engineering required. What you must have (skills) Controls Engineering: Strong PLC, HMI/SCADA, and industrial automation experience Troubleshooting: Ability to diagnose and resolve complex production system issues under pressure Systems Integration: Experience connecting equipment, PLCs, databases, and enterprise systems Manufacturing Engineering: Knowledge of industrial equipment, particularly heat treat and automated systems Data & Analytics: Experience with data collection and visualization tools (e.g., Power BI)