Manufacturing Project Engineer

Knowledge of effective project management strategies and tactics; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control projects, ensuring efficient utilization of technical and administrative resources to achieve project objectives.
Knowledge of how to develop or design a manufacturing process; ability to establish and determine which processes and parameters should be opted to improve functionality and costs.
Knowledge of tools, approaches and practices for determining production demand and ability to manage resources needed to provide satisfactory levels of service.
Knowledge of the philosophy, principles and implementation approaches of lean manufacturing; ability to integrate and implement lean manufacturing philosophy into existing production and management processes.

Provide direction and guidance to manufacturing personnel, supplier development engineers, and design engineers in a continuous effort to improve product finish quality and manufacturing productivity.
Work with suppliers (both internal and external) in the development of projects, which ensure the most efficient and cost-effective systems or operations to produce quality products.
Work with suppliers to analyze their current or proposed product and process designs to determine feasibility of using existing designs or modifying the designs to improve process and/or product.
Serve as the liaison between materials experts and operations/production teams.
Ensure Engineering, Purchasing and shop personnel both at Caterpillar and suppliers are involved in the approval process so that sound decisions are made which improve manufacturing processes, quality and/or reduce costs.
Use knowledge gained through years of experience to explain to suppliers the materials, controls, tooling, etc., needed to improve processes.
Lead global product finish and paint projects.

A good understanding of materials (especially paint and pretreatment), product design, and process design.
At least 5 years’ progressively responsible experience working with materials technology, Caterpillar paint processes, paint specifications, and product finishing, and supplier development.
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineer, Manufacturing engineering or another technical or engineering discipline.
At least 2 years’ experience working in materials technology, process design, operations, or supplier development.
Global project leadership experience.
The ability to travel up to 25% of the time (domestic and international)