Manufacturing Automation Lead

Career Area:

Manufacturing

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.

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Global Manufacturing Automation Lead. In this role you will be responsible for overseeing the design, implementation, and maintenance of automated systems across Earthmoving’s global manufacturing network, leading teams of automation and manufacturing engineers to develop and execute projects that optimize production processes, improve efficiency, and ensure compliance with quality standards. You will need extensive experience in industrial automation technologies, project management, and a deep understanding of manufacturing operations.

What You Will Do:

• Strategic planning: Identifying automation opportunities across manufacturing sites, developing a comprehensive automation roadmap, and aligning automation initiatives with overall business goals. 
• Project leadership: Engages and collaborates with various stakeholders to lead and facilitate automation projects with specific focus on replicable solutions that support performance improvements, sustainable growth and enhance safety and compliance.
• Technical expertise: Acts as Automation Subject Matter Expert (SME) on projects and provides the necessary skills and experience to ensure Automation solutions aligns with the overall aims and objectives of the business. 
• Site support: Provides support to site Automation teams to address technical queries and help drive consistent practices and support roll out of standards solutions.
• Innovation: Applies technology in innovative ways. Combines technologies to anticipate or address customer needs; shares solutions across sites; employs proven solutions to increase effectiveness of engineering methodology or manufacturing process. Mentors by sharing technical expertise and providing feedback and guidance.
• Continuous improvement: Monitoring performance metrics, identifying areas for optimization, and implementing process improvements to enhance automation efficiency. 

What You Have (Basic Qualifications):

• Degree requirement: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or closely related discipline OR equivalent technical experience plus demonstrated competence of significant engineering and/or operational experience.
• Strategic Planning & Problem Solving: Applies industry standards (S95, Industry 4.0) to complex challenges, balancing multiple competing factors to drive effective decision making.
• Project Administration: Ensures high quality outcomes through structured project oversight, process improvements, and adherence to best practices. Ability to influence globally, drive alignment without direct authority, and collaborate across cultures to achieve business objectives.
• Vendor & Supplier Management: Builds and maintains strong internal and external relationships, negotiating and collaborating effectively with partners to meet business objectives.
• Industrial Automation & Operations Excellence: Leverages technical expertise in automation, robotics, and control systems to drive operational efficiencies while aligning with industry standards and policies.

Top Candidates Will Have:

• Post-graduate education/degree is desired.

Additional Info:

• Travel for this position may be over 25% (domestic and international)
• Off hours meetings are expected with flexible work arrangements
• Domestic relocation assistance is available
• ISE assignments are not available.
• Visa sponsorship is not available.

What You Will Get:

Our goal at Caterpillar is for you to have a rewarding career. Our teams are critical to the success of our customers who build a better world.

Here you earn more than just a salary because we value your performance. We offer a total rewards package that provides day one benefits [medical, dental, vision, RX, and 401(k)] along with the potential of an annual bonus.

Additional benefits include paid vacation days and paid holidays (prorated based upon hire date).

About Caterpillar:

Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For nearly 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.

#LI

Summary Pay Range:

$126,000.00 - $189,000.00

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

Relocation is available for this position.Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. This employer is not currently hiring foreign national applicants that require or will require sponsorship tied to a specific employer, such as, H, L, TN, F, J, E, O. As a global company, Caterpillar offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S which can be found through our employment website at www.caterpillar.com/careers.

Posting Dates:

March 25, 2025 - April 8, 2025

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

EEO/AA Employer.  All qualified individuals - Including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities - are encouraged to apply.

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