Test/Validation Engineer

Career Area:

Job Description:

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar yourejoining 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 dontjust 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 Summary:

TheIntegrated Components Division (ICD)designs and manufactures embedded components that enhance machine performance quality and safety. Working closely with product groups and business partners ICD manages current designs (e.g. seals hoses filters kitting) drives innovation and supports sustainability and global availability. Components are engineered with aftermarket needs in mind to ensure long-term serviceability.

The engineering team includes three specialized groups:

• Material Testing Group (MTG):Develops rubber formulations.
• Rubber Component Group (RCG):Designs and validates rubber components.
• Track Seal Group:Maintains track seal designs for optimal performance.

Each group uses dedicated labs to ensure reliability and quality supporting initiatives like Assurance of Supply Quality improvements Warranty reduction New Product Introduction (NPI) Continuous Product Improvement (CPI) Built-In Quality (BIQ). Through collaboration and rigorous testing ICD ensures all components meet internal and customer standards.

Were committed to delivering innovative high-performing solutions that help our customers build a better world.

What You Will Do:

As a Test and Validation Engineer you will manage maintain develop test methods design fixtures and implement new test machines for material and components testing and validation.

Job duties and responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

Lab Operations & Management

• Lead scheduling prioritization and workload management for RCG and MTG labs ensuring timely execution of work orders and effective communication of results to engineers and process partners.
• Coordinate rubber mixing molding and component testing based on engineering requests.
• Maintain a safe organized lab environment with standardized procedures and consistent practices across both labs.
• Oversee equipment maintenance including preventive maintenance calibration/service scheduling and inventory control of spare parts.
• Monitor and escalate issues that may impact lab accuracy performance or timelines.

Continuous Improvement & Collaboration

• Conduct needs assessments and proposes improvements to enhance lab capabilities efficiency and overall effectiveness.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors (including third-party suppliers) to meet project deliverables and resolve technical challenges.
• Influence decisions related to supplier services adoption of new technologies cost management and customer satisfaction.
• Align RCG and MTG lab priorities with engineering project timelines to ensure seamless execution

Testing & Validation

• Manage material and component testing validation and audits ensuring results are clearly communicated and supported by accurate data-driven reporting to engineers and process partners.
• Design maintain and improve test fixtures machines and benches; manage spare parts inventory to support testing operations.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to components test procedures and equipment functionality

Cross-Functional Support

• Partner with internal teams and manufacturing facilities to improve product and process performance.
• Support NPI CPI BIQ and Assurance of Supply initiatives through performance testing failure prediction concept evaluation and benchmarking.
• Ensure capital projects are delivered on time and within budget

Education requirement:

• Bachelors and or degree in engineering mechanical materials science plastic and/or rubber engineering Technology or a related field.

What skills you will have:

Product Testing:

• Knowledge developing and executing test plans and protocols for materials components or systems.
• Hands-on use of lab equipment and data acquisition tools to perform mechanical thermal or electrical tests (e.g. Instron MTS).
• Familiarity with industry standards (e.g. ASTM ISO) and regulatory requirements for product validation.

Troubleshooting Technical Problems:

• Proven ability to diagnose and resolve issues with test setups equipment malfunctions or unexpected test results.
• Working knowledge using root cause analysis tools (e.g. 5 Whys Fishbone Diagram FMEA) to identify and correct failures.
• Collaboration with cross-functional teams (engineering manufacturing suppliers) to implement corrective actions.

Accuracy and Attention to Detail:

• Knowledge documenting test procedures results and deviations with precision and clarity.
• Skilled in calibrating instruments and verifying measurement accuracy to ensure reliable data.
• Consistent track record of maintaining organized lab environments and following SOPs without deviation.

Analytical Thinking

• Ability to interpret complex datasets and extract meaningful insights to support engineering decisions.
• Knowledge of using statistical tools (e.g. Minitab Excel Python) for data analysis and performance evaluation.
• Capable of identifying trends anomalies and correlations in test results to guide product improvements.

Top Candidates will also have:

• Hands-on and comfortable working in lab environments with mechanical and rubber materials.
• Proficient in data acquisition systems including MTS/Instron test machines and controllers.
• Proven knowledge in Six Sigma statistical methods and project planning tools.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office; able to lead multiple projects and make sound priority decisions.
• Self-starter with strong technical leadership and troubleshooting capabilities.

Additional Information:

This position requires the candidate to work onsite five days a week at the Mossville IL office.

Domestic relocation assistance is NOT available for this position. Any relocation costs incurred would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

Visa sponsorship is NOT available with this position.

This position may require up to 10% travel.

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 wage because we value your performance we offer a total rewards package that provides:

• Competitive Base Salary
• Annual incentive bonus plan*
• Medical dental and vision coverage
• Paid time off plan (Vacation Holiday Volunteer Etc.)
• 401k savings plan
• Health savings account (HSA)
• Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
• Short and long-term disability coverage
• Life Insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Healthy Lifestyle Programs
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Voluntary Benefits (Ex. Accident Identity Theft Protection)

*Subject to annual eligibility and incentive plan guidelines.

Final details:

Please frequently check the email associated with your application including the junk/spam folder as this is the primary correspondence method. If you wish to know the status of your application please use the candidate log-in on our career website as it will reflect any updates to your status.

For more information visit . To connect with us on social media Pay Range:

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors job level market locationjob-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

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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