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Controls Engineer (Early Talent)

Caterpillar


Job Location:

San Diego, CA - USA

Monthly Salary: $ 77264 - 115896
Posted: 1 July 2026 (30+ days ago)
Application Deadline: 22 October 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Career Area:

Engineering

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.

Controls Engineer (Early Talent)

Job Description

Solar Turbines Incorporated headquartered in San Diego California is a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. Solar manufactures the worlds most widely used family of mid-sized industrial gas turbines ranging from 1 to 23 megawatts. Solar is a leading provider of energy solutions featuring an extensive line of gas turbine-powered compressor sets.

Job Summary:

Solar Turbines Inc. is looking for a motivated creative high performing entry-level engineer to join the Custom Solutions Engineering Value Stream team.

The Engineering Value Stream is a dynamic project execution environment where you and your Mentor will collaborate with multiple engineering disciplines with the goal of supporting our Customers and Manufacturing.

The ideal candidate for this position would be an early talent Electrical Engineer Computer Engineer or Mechanical Engineer with an interest in electrical equipment design and software programming/testing to control electro-mechanical systems.

Job Accountabilities:
Job duties include the design of electrical hardware and control systems for gas turbines power generators natural gas compressors and methane emissions reduction systems. Primary deliverables include electrical schematic drawings and control software (ladder logic) for programmable logic controllers (PLCs).

Initial accountabilities may include Software Test whereby candidate would be exposed to how the system operates via simulation software. This position requires coordinating with various organizations within Solar Turbines including direct interface with external customers. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are imperative.

The successful candidate will collaborate in an Engineering Value Stream with up to 10 other engineering disciplines. Having the ability to work well with a team paying attention to detail with a focus on quality and the drive to deliver on time is critical to this position. A sense of urgency and organizational skills are required to work with multiple projects and competing priorities.

Additional duties include supporting field personnel during commissioning and the resolution of safety critical risk assessments. This position provides opportunities to travel to support Customer Design Review meetings Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP) meetings and support installed equipment in the Field.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Master of Science in Engineering
  • GPA 2.8 or above

Top Candidates Have:

  • The successful candidate will have educational and/or experience-based exposure to electrical equipment design and control software for PLC applications.
  • Direct experience with programming PLCs and Windows-based Human Machine Interface (HMI) systems is a plus. Knowledge of Turbomachinery Electrical Loop Schematics Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) and Control Systems is highly desired.

Compensation & Benefits

Actual salary will be based on experience. The total rewards package beyond base salary includes:

  • Annual incentive bonus plan*
  • Medical dental and vision coverage starting day 1
  • Paid time off plan (Vacation Holiday Volunteer Etc.)
  • 401(k) Savings Plan including company match
  • Health savings account (HSA)
  • Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
  • Short and long-term disability coverage
  • Life Insurance
  • Parental leave
  • Employee Assistance Programs
  • Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts
  • Career Development

*Subject to annual eligibility and incentive plan guidelines

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.

About Caterpillar

Caterpillar Inc. is the worlds 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 weve 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:

$77264.00 - $115896.00

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

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Relocation is available for this position.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates:

July 23 2026 - July 30 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.

Not ready to apply Join our Talent Community.


Required Experience:

IC


About Company

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Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial turbines and diesel-electric locomotives.

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