Senior Engine Performance Simulation 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.

About IPSD
Caterpillar’s Industrial Power Systems Division (IPSD) designs, tests and manufactures 0.5L to 18L engines that not only power Caterpillar machines, but also power over 5000 other applications including Marine, Petroleum, Industrial Applications, Electric Generators, and Locomotives. Caterpillar’s company strategy includes sustainability as one of four focus areas and IPSD is engaged and actively preparing green energy solutions for the future.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a Senior Engine Performance Simulation Engineer. This person will act as an engine and aftertreatment system performance simulation engineer, responsible for the development of complex engine and aftertreatment system recipes from concept to production for IPSD’s 9-liter through 18-liter machine and commercial engine product offerings, which include both diesel and spark-ignited engines.

This position is responsible for providing systems engineering to define and optimize trade-offs for product requirements, virtually develop and down select concepts / performance component recipes, define performance development requirements / constraints, satisfy emissions standards, and utilize data analytics to maximize product optimization and robustness. The successful candidate will add value both as an individual contributor and as a project leader.

What You Will Do:

• Virtually develop and down-select concepts and performance component recipes for new engine and aftertreatment systems through the use of performance simulation and detailed data analysis.
• Provide project leadership to a diverse engineering team to define, optimize, and validate trade-offs for product requirements and development constraints.
• Ensure products satisfy emissions standards and leverage data analytics for enhanced optimization and robustness.
• Support Engineering Excellence within the team via creation and refinement of standard work documentation.
• Collaborate with customers and leadership to scope and execute projects that meet the needs of the business

• Accountable for delivering timely, high-quality simulation and analysis impacting products/processes and providing clear recommendations to stakeholders
• Partner with design, manufacturing, supply chain and test to robustly deliver new products and improve validation processes
• Keep up-to-date on new technologies and drive continuous improvement to established techniques

Degree Requirement
Bachelor’s Degree in an accredited Engineering field

What You Will Have:

Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Seeks discrepancies and inconsistencies in available information; explains variances.
• Organizes and prioritizes the sequence of steps to be taken to remedy the situation.
• Identifies many possible causes for a problem based on prior experience and current research.
• Quantifies the costs, benefits, risks and chances for success before recommending a course of action.
• Approaches a complex problem by breaking it down into its component parts.
• Chooses among a diverse set of analytical tools according to the nature of the situation.

Technical Excellence: Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Advises others on the assessment and provision of all technical solutions.
• Engages appropriate subject matter resources to effectively resolve technical issues.
• Mentors others to enhance their technical competence and its application to achieve more effective technical solutions.
• Coaches others in promoting, defining, analyzing, and providing superior technical solutions to business problems.
• Provides effective solutions to moderate technical challenges through strong technical competence, effectively examining implications of events and issues.
• Assumes accountability for personal technical performance and holds others responsible for theirs.

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 Extensive Experience:

• Gains agreement on the problem-solving process, risk assessment, decision points, and criteria.
• Trains others in the process of eliciting alternatives and assessing their impact.
• Orchestrates the resolution of high-impact and cross-functional problems.
• Successfully organizes problem solvers and stakeholders for high-impact problems
• Predicts and explains long-term trends and implications for alternatives.
• Monitors industry for best practices and new techniques in problem-solving.

Project Management: Knowledge of effective project management strategies and tactics; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control projects, ensuring efficient utilization of technical and administrative resources to achieve project objectives.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Utilizes preferred tools, techniques and methods for estimating project cost and time.
• Plans, estimates, staffs, organizes and monitors significant projects.
• Identifies risks and vulnerabilities; creates contingency plans.
• Conducts regular and ad-hoc project reviews with project team, sponsors, and clients.
• Maintains open communication among project participants and interested parties.
• Communicates reporting requirements; creates monitoring and control mechanisms.

Computer-Aided Design & Engineering: Knowledge of tools and techniques of specialized graphics programs; ability to produce, analyze, simulate and test product design drafts.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Conducts computer-based simulation, design, and engineering
• Performs validation/verification of designs against specifications and design rules.
• Contributes to CAD libraries and promotes the use of reusable components.
• Predicts industry and marketplace trends; explores new tools and techniques.
• Designs training programs to use CAD/CAM to simulate and test how a machine, structure or system operates.
• Presents complex products and systems graphically.

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:

• Reviews others' writing or presentations and provides feedback and coaching.
• Adapts documents and presentations for the intended audience.
• Demonstrates both empathy and assertiveness when communicating a need or defending a position.
• Communicates well downward, upward, and outward.
• Employs appropriate methods of persuasion when soliciting agreement.
• Maintains focus on the topic at hand.

Process Management: Knowledge of business process improvement tools and techniques; ability to understand, monitor, update, control, or enhance existing business or work processes.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Helps others learn the tools and techniques for process value analysis.
• Carries out process evaluation, diagnosis, and optimization.
• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of a major process flow, its components and issues.
• Synchronizes the efforts of, and resource requirements for, several teams within a process.
• Makes the business case for new processes, including their cost-benefit ratios.
• Possesses knowledge of tools and techniques for designing and implementing new processes.

Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Evaluates manual and electronic tools and techniques for enhancing accuracy.
• Designs techniques for measuring the cost and impact of errors.
• Discusses the value and associated costs of formal walkthroughs.
• Monitors the industry for new tools and techniques in assuring accuracy.
• Coaches others in methods of identifying and correcting errors, oversights and omissions.
• Supports and communicates the organization's quality management process.

Location & Schedule

Caterpillar Technical Center, Building L. Mossville, IL.

In-person 5-day per week schedule

Additional Information

• Relocation assistance is available for this position
• Sponsorship is not available for this position
• ISE assignment 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 over 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:

$112,710.00 - $169,060.00

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:

November 10, 2026 - November 23, 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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