Career Area:

Marketing

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.

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

Cat Digital is the digital and technology arm of Caterpillar Inc., leveraging the latest technologies to build industry leading digital solutions for our customers and dealers. With over 1.5 million connected assets worldwide, our teams use data, technology, advanced analytics, telematics, and AI capabilities to help our customers build a better, more sustainable world.

Job Summary:

Senior Industrial Designer responsible for executing production-ready design solutions for global Caterpillar heavy equipment platforms. Focused on delivering high-quality design that balances brand, manufacturability, engineering integration, durability, and cost targets

Acts as a key contributor throughout full product development lifecycle from early concept through production launch. Works closely with engineering, program management, manufacturing, and business partners to deliver successful product outcomes. Applies and reinforces Caterpillar Visual Brand Language across equipment portfolios.

What You Will Do:

Design Execution & Product Development

Lead industrial design development for heavy equipment exterior and operator environment components

Create production-feasible design solutions that align with engineering, packaging, and performance constraints

Develop and communicate design intent through sketching, CAD, renderings, and prototype reviews

Translate conceptual design into production-ready Class-A or production surface solutions

Maintain design integrity throughout development and manufacturing release

Execute detailed design solutions including panel and enclosure development, cab interior components, operator interfaces, product architecture, and surface detailing

Heavy Equipment Integration & Durability Focus

Design for structural durability, harsh environments, operator safety, and regulatory compliance

Ensure serviceability and maintenance accessibility

Collaborate with engineering teams to integrate mechanical packaging and system requirements

Participate in packaging reviews, layout studies, and interference resolution

Support prototype validation, field testing feedback, and iterative refinement

Ensure designs meet Caterpillar quality, durability, and performance expectations

Manufacturing & Materials Application

Apply strong knowledge of sheet metal fabrication, structural weldments, cast and forged components, plastics, and multi-material assemblies

Design components using DFMA principles with focus on cost optimization and assembly efficiency

Collaborate with suppliers and manufacturing teams during development and launch phases

Understand coatings, paint processes, and finishing requirements

Visual Brand Language Execution

Execute Caterpillar Visual Brand Language consistently across product platforms

Maintain alignment with brand standards while adapting to platform-specific constraints

Support development of design standards, component strategies, and product family consistency

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work closely with internal business partners, engineering teams, and program leadership

Present design concepts, trade-offs, and solutions clearly to stakeholders

Gather customer and operator feedback and integrate insights into design solutions

Support design reviews, milestone gates, and product release documentation

Influence design direction through strong communication and technical credibility

Project & Time Management

Manage multiple design projects simultaneously across global development programs

Deliver high-quality work within defined timelines and program milestones

Provide proactive communication regarding risks, challenges, and status updates

Support program planning and scheduling from design perspective

Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement

Identify usability, packaging, or integration challenges early in development

Provide practical, manufacturable design solutions

Balance brand expression, product function, and engineering realities

Contribute to improvement of design workflows and best practices

Support knowledge sharing across global design teams

What You Will Have:

Customer Focus: Knowledge of the values and practices that align customer needs and satisfaction as primary considerations in all business decisions and ability to leverage that information in creating customized customer solutions.
Global Perspective: Knowledge of issues, opportunities, and challenges for conducting business in the international marketplace; ability to apply global perspectives appropriately in a wide range of situations.
Creativity: Knowledge of the approaches, tools, and techniques for promoting creative, original thinking and ability to apply it to a variety of business situations.
Strategic Thinking: Knowledge of the importance of "big picture" thinking and planning; ability to apply organizational acumen and competitiveness to identify and maintain focus on key success factors for the organization.
Product Design and Development: Knowledge of product features; ability to design, build, and develop a new product, technology, or service from concept through to production.
 

Considerations For Top Candidates:

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Industrial Design or related field

Industrial design experience

Proven experience executing designs through production release

Experience working on complex mechanical or industrial products

Experience working in cross-functional product development teams

Exceptional sketching and visual communication abilities

Experience designing heavy equipment, automotive, agricultural, or powersports products

Experience working within defined brand language systems

Experience supporting global product platforms

Experience mentoring junior designers

Familiarity with operator-focused ergonomic design

Experience working directly with manufacturing facilities or suppliers

Understanding of CMF development and strategy • Familiarity with human factors or usability testing

Strong understanding of proportion, form development, and surface quality

Ability to quickly generate and iterate design concepts

Strong presentation and design storytelling skills

Proficiency in Autodesk Alias and/or PTC Creo

Experience developing production-ready surfaces and CAD models

Ability to communicate design intent through CAD and visualization tools

Experience with rendering and visualization software preferred

Strong knowledge of sheet metal design, welded assemblies, plastic part design, and structural components

Understanding of tolerance stack-up, fit and finish development, serviceability, and durability requirements

Familiarity with DFMA best practices

Strong time management and organizational skills

Excellent cross-functional collaboration abilities

Ability to manage ambiguity and complex design challenges

Strong verbal and written communication skills • Self-directed with strong accountability and ownership mindset

What You Will Get:

Working with a Fortune 100 leader, you can build your career on a global scale and take advantage of development opportunities with emerging technologies. We’ve created an inclusive environment for you to explore your passions, make an impact and do the work that really matters. Join Us.

About Caterpillar

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 nearly 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed to 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.

This Job Description is intended as a general guide to the job duties for this position and is intended for the purpose of establishing the specific salary grade. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive summary of all responsibilities, duties and effort required of employees assigned to this job. At the discretion of management, this description may be changed at any time to address the evolving needs of the organization. It is expressly not intended to be a comprehensive list of “essential job functions” as that term is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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

This position requires working onsite five days a week.Relocation is available for this position.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. 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. As a global company, Caterpillar offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S which can be found through our employment website at www.caterpillar.com/careers.

Posting Dates:

February 5, 2026 - February 13, 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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