Supplier Development Engineer

Job Summary:

This position is responsible for managing the quality, development, and validation of machining suppliers, as well as identifying and developing new suppliers using key elements of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Collaborative Product and Process Development (CPPD).

The Supplier Development Engineer will lead problem-solving initiatives related to quality issues and drive continuous improvement efforts. Additionally, this role supports source council deliverables, including capacity planning, data analysis, and the implementation of effective countermeasures.

What You Will Do:

• Ensuring the quality of supplies by conducting tests and assessments on incoming supplies to identify any quality issues; Developing supplier inspection, testing, and evaluation mechanism.
• Generating reports on supplier quality, by monitoring their defect rates and areas that can lead to potential flaws; Guiding suppliers to reduce these defect rates.
• Researching the potential vendors, assessing their manufacturing environment, practices, and procedures; Conducting supplier quality control audits to ensure compliance with organizational and federal policies and standards.
• Supporting suppliers in improving their performance through process enhancements, implementing process controls, and developing quality assurance plans undefined.

What You Will Have:

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.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending the recipient.
• Listens to feedback without defensiveness and uses it for own communication effectiveness.
• Makes oral presentations and writes reports needed for own work.
• Avoids technical jargon when inappropriate.
• Looks for and considers non-verbal cues from individuals and groups.

Problem Solving: Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Identifies and documents specific problems and resolution alternatives.
• Examines a specific problem and understands the perspective of each involved stakeholder.
• Develops alternative techniques for assessing accuracy and relevance of information.
• Helps to analyze risks and benefits of alternative approaches and obtain decision on resolution.
• Uses fact-finding techniques and diagnostic tools to identify problems.

Quality Orientation: Knowledge of quality management methods, tools, and techniques; ability to create and support an environment that meets the quality goals of the organization.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Confronts root causes of problems wherever they exist.
• Eliminates unnecessary work and all non value-added activities.
• Uses objective quality criteria and data to drive decisions.
• Documents learnings regarding quality outcomes so that the data can be used for improvement.
• Surfaces quality problems whose root causes fall outside the group's responsibility.

Supplier Management - MFG: Knowledge of processes and methods to effectively manage business relationships and transactions with suppliers of raw materials or product components; ability to apply related knowledge, experience and skills into real practice.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Facilitates supplier partnering arrangements that share risk and reward.
• Monitors supplier performance; works to resolve discrepancies between performance and agreements.
• Develops quality standards and controls for suppliers.
• Builds and maintains partnerships with multiple and/or large suppliers.
• Evaluates issues and terminates supplier relationships as appropriate; works with legal departments.
• Ensures the fulfillment of report and record-keeping requirements.

Additional Information:

• This position is on-site 5 days a week. The role can sit either in Decatur & East Peoria Bldg KK.
• Expected travel up to 40%.
• Relocation is not available.
• Sponsorship is not available.

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.

Summary Pay Range:

$97,530.00 - $146,290.00

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

Posting Dates:

October 8, 2026 - October 16, 2026

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

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.

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