Caterpillar Inc.
Senior Supplier Development Engineer
Caterpillar Inc., Clayton, North Carolina, United States, 27520
Overview
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.
Career Area Procurement
Role Description Caterpillar is seeking a highly skilled and collaborative Senior Supplier Development Engineer to strengthen performance within our electronics supply base to ensure quality, capacity, and resilience needed to support current and next generation product. This role bridges engineering, procurement, and supplier operations – driving quality, capacity, and delivery excellence through proactive engagement and technical leadership.
Responsibilities
Develop supplier inspection, testing, and evaluation mechanisms to ensure all products are free from defects and follow manufacturing specifications and legal standards.
Generate reports on supplier quality by monitoring defect rates and areas that can lead to potential flaws; guide suppliers to reduce these defect rates.
Support suppliers in improving performance through process enhancements, implementing process controls, and developing quality assurance plans. Lead supplier capability assessments, process validation, and performance improvement initiatives to drive world-class quality and delivery.
Collaborate closely with electronics engineering teams, buyers, and supply chain performance engineers to align sourcing decisions with technical and capacity requirements.
Support new product introductions through supplier qualification, tooling readiness, and production validation activities.
Facilitate structured problem-solving, root cause analysis, and implementation of corrective/preventive actions with suppliers.
Provide guidance on manufacturing process control, APQP and continuous improvement initiatives.
Develop strong partnerships that balance cost, risk, and long-term value creation across the global supply base.
Qualifications
Production Part Approval Process (PPAP): Knowledge of PPAP elements, submissions, and objectives; ability to determine whether a supplier can manufacture products that meet customer quality requirements consistently.
Supplier Management - MFG: Knowledge of processes and methods to manage relationships with suppliers of raw materials or components; ability to apply this knowledge in practice.
Supplier Evaluations and Certification: Knowledge of supplier evaluations and certification; ability to identify methods, tools, and documentation for evaluating, selecting, and certifying vendors.
Top Candidates For This Position May Also Have
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Electronics, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering
5+ years of experience in supplier development, quality engineering, or manufacturing engineering within electronics or electromechanical systems
Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional global teams to deliver measurable performance improvements
Strong project management skills with demonstrated success leading initiatives across diverse teams in a global environment
Solid understanding of electronic component manufacturing, PCB assembly, and validation processes
Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, and Lean methodologies
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills across multiple regions and cultures
Willingness to travel globally as needed to engage suppliers and support on-site performance improvement initiatives
Additional Information The primary location for this position is Clayton, NC. Domestic relocation assistance is available. Sponsorship is not available.
Compensation and Benefits 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. Salary is one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.
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
Tution Reimbursement
Note: These benefits also apply to part-time employees
This position requires working onsite five days a week. Visa Sponsorship is not available. Caterpillar is not hiring foreign national applicants requiring sponsorship tied to a specific employer.
Posting Dates: October 23, 2025 - November 5, 2025
Any offer of employment is conditioned upon 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.
Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Career Area Procurement
Role Description Caterpillar is seeking a highly skilled and collaborative Senior Supplier Development Engineer to strengthen performance within our electronics supply base to ensure quality, capacity, and resilience needed to support current and next generation product. This role bridges engineering, procurement, and supplier operations – driving quality, capacity, and delivery excellence through proactive engagement and technical leadership.
Responsibilities
Develop supplier inspection, testing, and evaluation mechanisms to ensure all products are free from defects and follow manufacturing specifications and legal standards.
Generate reports on supplier quality by monitoring defect rates and areas that can lead to potential flaws; guide suppliers to reduce these defect rates.
Support suppliers in improving performance through process enhancements, implementing process controls, and developing quality assurance plans. Lead supplier capability assessments, process validation, and performance improvement initiatives to drive world-class quality and delivery.
Collaborate closely with electronics engineering teams, buyers, and supply chain performance engineers to align sourcing decisions with technical and capacity requirements.
Support new product introductions through supplier qualification, tooling readiness, and production validation activities.
Facilitate structured problem-solving, root cause analysis, and implementation of corrective/preventive actions with suppliers.
Provide guidance on manufacturing process control, APQP and continuous improvement initiatives.
Develop strong partnerships that balance cost, risk, and long-term value creation across the global supply base.
Qualifications
Production Part Approval Process (PPAP): Knowledge of PPAP elements, submissions, and objectives; ability to determine whether a supplier can manufacture products that meet customer quality requirements consistently.
Supplier Management - MFG: Knowledge of processes and methods to manage relationships with suppliers of raw materials or components; ability to apply this knowledge in practice.
Supplier Evaluations and Certification: Knowledge of supplier evaluations and certification; ability to identify methods, tools, and documentation for evaluating, selecting, and certifying vendors.
Top Candidates For This Position May Also Have
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Electronics, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering
5+ years of experience in supplier development, quality engineering, or manufacturing engineering within electronics or electromechanical systems
Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional global teams to deliver measurable performance improvements
Strong project management skills with demonstrated success leading initiatives across diverse teams in a global environment
Solid understanding of electronic component manufacturing, PCB assembly, and validation processes
Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, and Lean methodologies
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills across multiple regions and cultures
Willingness to travel globally as needed to engage suppliers and support on-site performance improvement initiatives
Additional Information The primary location for this position is Clayton, NC. Domestic relocation assistance is available. Sponsorship is not available.
Compensation and Benefits 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. Salary is one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.
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
Tution Reimbursement
Note: These benefits also apply to part-time employees
This position requires working onsite five days a week. Visa Sponsorship is not available. Caterpillar is not hiring foreign national applicants requiring sponsorship tied to a specific employer.
Posting Dates: October 23, 2025 - November 5, 2025
Any offer of employment is conditioned upon 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.
Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.
#J-18808-Ljbffr