Senior Engineering Specialist

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.

Job Title: Senior Engineering Specialist - Dynamics Validation

Salary: £76,368 - £85,000 (Depending Upon Experience)

Location: Peterborough

Benefits: 

• 25 days annual leave,    

• Up to 20% Bonus

• Car Allowance Monthly

• Contributory pension scheme - Caterpillar will double the employee's contribution Up to 10%

• Contributory share scheme - Caterpillar will match 50% of the employee's contribution.

• Optional flexible benefits including access to health and dental care plans, EV car lease, holiday purchase.

About IPSD

Caterpillar’s Industrial Power Systems Division (IPSD) designs, tests and manufactures 0.5 to 18L Cat® and Perkins engines that power over 5000 applications including Marine, Petroleum, Industrial Applications, Electric Generators, and Locomotives. Caterpillar’s company strategy includes sustainability as one of four focus areas and IPSD is engaged and actively preparing green energy solutions for the future. 

The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity to work in a dynamic team of engineers and technicians within the Europe Research and Development Centre.  The team operates within an extensive test facility housing world class equipment primarily supporting the development of industrial diesel engines in the range of 0.5 to 7.1 litre.  The team also supports validation activities throughout Europe and North Africa, working on a broad range of Perkins and Caterpillar products up to the large diesel and gas power solutions.  This could be maintaining the current product, new product introduction, research projects or working on clean sheet engine development.  A multi-faceted role that will satisfy the technical curiosity of experienced engineers working in the diesel power generation sector.

What you will do

The role is for an individual contributor that will be technically accountable for leading the mechanical product development and validation activities through a team of expert engineers and technicians.  Mainly working with the core systems, simulation and component engineering teams; this role is accountable for component, system and machine level test validation to meet the product and technical objectives.  

Additionally, there will be necessary interactions at a working level with the sales and product management group.

Other elements of the role will consist of:

• Completion of test work is within a workshop environment, engine dynamometer test cell or on machine.

• Acting as a strong advocate for global product development across Caterpillar, helping to develop a tactical strategy and network for validation processes that deliver world class product validation.

Additional Info

The role will be based in Peterborough; however travel may be occasionally required to other Caterpillar facilities and customer locations.

What You Will Do

• Technical responsibility for a team of engineers and technicians working predominantly in an engineering mechanics and dynamics workstream.  Product development is conducted either through static or dynamic measurement with various transducer types, typically; strain, linear vibration, torsional vibration and shaker vibration testing. 

• Support the definition of structural and vibration technical objectives at a component and system level.  Ensuring robust validation through design risk assessments and product validation planned activities, in collaboration with development engineers and component owners.

• Accountable for successful execution of all test work to the desired quality, adhering to the agreed plan of work conducted by self or while overseeing the engineer and technician team. 

• Ensuring that all captured data is correctly analysed to the team standard processes, reviewing reports for correct interpretation of results, conclusions and appropriate recommendations.

• Technical project management: organise, monitor and control projects, ensuring efficient utilisation of technical and administrative resources to achieve project objectives.  Identify and own accountable processes for Lean application of process improvement.

• Ownership and governance of both current product and new product issue resolution, with planned project deliverables being managed with appropriate tools and techniques to ensure successful validation.

• Accountable for team process-controlled documentation, managing the effectiveness and making updates to ensure relevance and standards.

• Understand the available simulation tools internal and external to the local team and collectively work to identify opportunities to optimise the development process.

• Reviewing current equipment and managing the repair, replacement, or upgrade as necessary.  Champion the use of new innovations and technologies that solve technical problems.  Implementation through standard processes for purchase and implementation.

• Expanding the network of key development partners across the Caterpillar enterprise for product validation, delivering a strategy and executing a plan for the most effective resource allocation.

• Management of internal and external service providers to Caterpillar to fulfil the design, analysis and validation requirements.

• Providing engineering guidance and mentorship for developing engineers.

What You Have

As an engineer with a broad knowledge and experience, you will coach and mentor the team of engineers and technicians to apply first principles of theory, evaluate and analyse simulation results and validation through empirical data collection and analysis.

Technical Excellence, Problem Solving, Analyzing Data, Decision Making, Effective Communication - Expert Level

• Knowledge and experience at an engineering level working on internal combustion engines, particularly within a test, validation and development environment.

• Degree educated in a relatable mechanical engineering discipline, the incumbent will have gained significant industrial experience to be able to effectively apply engineering first principles; particularly in structural evaluation in mechanics of materials and dynamics, with measurement and analysis of strain and vibration a key attribute.  A broad understanding of material properties is necessary for interpreting both the measured data and predictive simulation to provide a comprehensive evaluation through a strain life approach.

• Knowledge of product testing approaches, techniques and tools; ability to design, plan and execute testing strategies and tactics to ensure product quality at all stages of development.

• Knowledge and experience with data acquisition systems, with a comprehensive understanding of a variety of measurement transducer types and applications.

• Application of troubleshooting approaches, tools and techniques; ability to anticipate, detect and resolve technical problems in a development and manufacturing environment.  This could either be at a facility engine test bed or customer location.

• Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyse situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.

• This role bridges multiple engineering teams, across multiple locations.  The understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques are imperative; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication.

What You Will Get

We look forward to welcoming the successful candidate to our dynamic, diverse and friendly team. We have a culture of openness, autonomy, support, personal development as well as a continuous drive for improvement.  

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.

NB. The panel cannot make assumptions when shortlisting therefore please demonstrate your qualifications and experience on your CV relevant to the criteria outlined.  Pending the number of applications, the criteria for the position may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting. #LI

Posting Dates:

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO).

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