Job Description

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer 5

Location: Lafayette, IN

Daily Schedule: 3:30 PM – 11:30 PM

Details: 12-month contract with ongoing need, opportunity for direct hire

Pay Rate : $44.00 - 49.00/hr. with benefit inclusions

Job Summary

This Manufacturing Engineer role is a hands-on position supporting the introduction of new capital equipment at Caterpillar’s Lafayette facility. The engineer will be responsible for CNC programming, machine setup, and process validation. This role is critical to ensuring that new machining assets are integrated efficiently and effectively into production, with a strong emphasis on quality, safety, and continuous improvement. The position offers a unique opportunity to work closely with advanced manufacturing technologies and contribute to the successful launch of new production capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and troubleshoot CNC programs for new machining equipment.
• Perform machine setup and become the subject matter expert on new processes.
• Train technicians on new equipment and processes once validated.
• Create and maintain detailed process documentation to support repeatability and compliance.
• Lead root cause investigations for tooling and fixturing issues, ensuring minimal downtime.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including engineering, operations, and quality to align on project goals.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to optimize manufacturing performance and reduce waste.

Years of Experience and Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, or related field).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a manufacturing or machining environment, preferably in a high-volume or capital-intensive setting.

Technical Skills

Required:

• CNC Operation: Proficient in operating CNC machines, including setup, calibration, and troubleshooting during production runs.
• CNC Programming: Ability to write, modify, and optimize CNC programs for various machining operations, ensuring precision and efficiency.
• Microsoft O365: Competent in using Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams) for documentation, reporting, and communication.

Desirable:

• Project Management: Experience managing or supporting technical projects, including timelines, deliverables, and cross-functional coordination.
• Data Analysis: Ability to interpret manufacturing data to identify trends, inefficiencies, or opportunities for improvement.
• Root Cause Analysis: Skilled in structured problem-solving techniques to identify and resolve production issues.
• New Capital Introduction / Asset Installation: Familiarity with bringing new equipment online, including validation, process development, and integration into existing workflows.
• Communication: Clear and fluent English, both written and verbal, for effective collaboration across teams and documentation of technical processes.
• Growth Mindset: Eagerness to learn and adapt, especially in a fast-paced manufacturing environment with evolving technologies.
• Independence & Teamwork: Capable of working autonomously while also contributing to team goals and supporting peers.
• Prioritization & Safety Awareness: Ability to manage multiple tasks with urgency while maintaining strict adherence to safety, ergonomics, and quality standards.

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