Senior Hydraulics System Engineer

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.

Join Caterpillar, the world's leading construction equipment manufacturer, as a Senior Hydraulics System Engineer (Senior Design Engineer) in Peoria, IL.

In this role, you'll have the opportunity to lead and contribute to the design and development of innovative product concepts that meet the highest standards of performance, reliability, serviceability and durability. As an individual contributor you will collaborate with talented cross-functional teams to develop and support Caterpillar Earthmoving Motor Grader Products, by applying deep technical expertise and structured problem-solving to identify and resolve issues early in the development process.

If you're passionate about engineering and are ready to make a global impact, we'd love to have you on our team

What You Will Do:

• Lead and Innovate: Direct and participate in the concept, design, and development of hydraulic systems and components ensuring our products deliver superior performance, durability, quality, and serviceability while meeting cost and delivery targets.
• Collaborate and Develop: Lead development activities with internal and external suppliers of hydro-mechanical and electro-hydraulic components through New Product Introduction or Continuous Product Improvement projects keeping the projects on schedule.
• Transform and Solve: Utilize your technical expertise, product knowledge, and cutting-edge technologies to extract data from our products and transform it into valuable insights, creating integrated solutions that help customers solve their greatest challenges.
• Work Globally: Collaborate with our global hydraulic engineering organization in the United States, Europe, India, and China. Travel to foreign and domestic locations, if required, to support component and system development activities.
• Develop Solutions: Work on developing solutions for our customers, involving diverse teams in the product group, machine performance, validation, software, controls and component development teams.

What You Have (Basic Qualifications):

• Educational Requirements: A bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or mechatronics from an accredited university
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to identify critical requirements, define appropriate next actions, and resolve issues with minimal oversight. We value initiative and strong technical insight.
• Technical Excellence: Strong analytical skills are essential. You'll develop and provide solutions for significant technical issues related to quality, velocity, and cost objectives.
• Product Design and Development: Extensive knowledge of machine or system design and an understanding of the design process and standards. Experience with DFMEA and ability to identify necessary verification and validation activities.
• Examples may Include:
  • Evaluate, troubleshoot, define, and resolve issues during machine development, machine end-of-line and machine production, and field follow.
  • Coordinate design validation and prototype machine iron.
  • Collaborate with expert operators and test engineers to provide detailed feedback on machine performance that is correlated with measured data.
  • Create and develop new intellectual property and patents.
  • Ability to view, analyze and evaluate machine test data to make critical design decisions.

Top Candidates Will Have:

• Effective Communication: Do you communicate, collaborate, and build trust with a diverse range of people, including customers, internal partners, suppliers, engineers, and the leadership team? Your skills in this area are crucial.
• Managing Multiple Priorities: You need the ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities effectively.
• Self-starting Ability: Ability to execute and lead projects to meet the development timelines.

Additional Info:

• Location: This position will eventually be located at our downtown Peoria building AH location once renovations are completed in 2026 and will likely start at the Peoria Proving Grounds.
• Office Model: This position requires the employee to work a 5-day-a-week schedule in the office.
• Travel: 10% domestic and international travel is expected.
• Relocation: Domestic relocation will be available to those who qualify.
• ISE: Not available.
• Visa Sponsorship: Not available.

Summary Pay Range:

$110, $165,840.00

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

This position requires working onsite five days a week.
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

Posting Dates:

October 16, November 9, 2025

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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