Manufacturing Technician

Career Area:
Manufacturing

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.

Job Summary:

Build Products. Solve Problems. Develop Others.

Join our gear manufacturing team in Building KK, East Peoria, IL where technical expertise, safety, quality, and continuous improvement directly influence our success.

We are seeking an experienced manufacturing professional with strong technical and troubleshooting skills. In this hands-on role, you will support complex production equipment, diagnose equipment and process issues, and help restore production safely and efficiently. You will also use your knowledge to train and guide team members, reinforce manufacturing standards, and improve the technical capability of the department.

This position is well suited for someone who takes ownership, remains effective under pressure, and enjoys solving difficult manufacturing problems while helping others succeed.

As a technical resource within the manufacturing team, you will:

- Safely support the operation, set up, adjustment, of manufacturing equipment used in the production of Caterpillar gears.
- Diagnose equipment, tooling, process, and quality issues using established troubleshooting methods and sound technical judgment.
- Perform equipment calibration, preventive maintenance, and technical production support.
- Respond to equipment and process disruptions, determine potential causes, and take appropriate action to safely restore production.
- Provide hands-on technical training and guidance to team members on equipment operation, setup, troubleshooting, standardized work, gaging, and manufacturing processes.
- Serve as a knowledgeable resource for operators and other team members when technical or process questions arise.
- Read and interpret blueprints, diagrams, schematics, specifications, control plans, and work instructions.
- Verify that product specifications, tolerance requirements, and quality standards are consistently met.
- Complete and document required quality checks, process verifications, and in-process production testing.
- Identify recurring equipment or process problems and assist with root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
- Work closely with production, maintenance, engineering, quality, and other support teams to resolve complex manufacturing issues.
- Support equipment modifications, process changes, new equipment installations, and the introduction of new manufacturing processes.
- Identify and implement opportunities to improve safety, quality, equipment reliability, productivity, and manufacturing efficiency.
- Help reinforce safe work practices, standardized processes, and quality expectations through coaching and personal example.
- Maintain accurate equipment, maintenance, process, and production records.
- Promote a clean, organized, and safe manufacturing environment.

What We’re Looking For

Successful candidates will bring demonstrated manufacturing experience and the technical capability to support both equipment and people.

Candidates should demonstrate:

- Strong hands-on technical experience in a gear manufacturing production environment.
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot manufacturing equipment, tooling, controls, and production processes.
- Experience with equipment setup, adjustment, calibration, preventive maintenance, and production support.
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, diagrams, schematics, specifications, and work instructions.
- Working knowledge of manufacturing processes, quality requirements, process controls, and production standards.
- Ability to systematically identify, prioritize, and resolve equipment and process problems.
- Experience training, coaching, or providing technical guidance to other employees.
- Ability to explain technical information clearly and adapt training to different levels of experience.
- Strong judgment and the ability to determine when an issue can be resolved independently and when additional support is required.
- Ability to work effectively across production, maintenance, engineering, and quality functions.
- Commitment to safety, quality, accountability, and standardized work.
- Strong attention to detail, including specifications, tolerances, process settings, and documentation.
- Ability to remain composed and make informed decisions during production disruptions.
- A continuous-improvement mindset and the willingness to share technical knowledge with others.

Key Areas of Technical Responsibility

Equipment and Process Troubleshooting

Use technical knowledge, available data, equipment documentation, and structured problem-solving methods to identify the source of production issues. Address immediate concerns while helping the team identify recurring problems that require longer-term corrective action.

Technical Training and Team Development

Provide practical, hands-on instruction to help team members safely operate equipment, follow standardized processes, recognize abnormal conditions, and respond appropriately to common equipment and production issues.

Production Support

Act as a technical resource during equipment interruptions, process changes, quality concerns, and other manufacturing challenges. Coordinate with the appropriate support functions to minimize disruption and restore stable production.

Safety and Quality

Recognize unsafe or abnormal conditions and take appropriate action. Reinforce the use of required personal protective equipment, established safety procedures, process controls, and product quality standards.

Continuous Improvement

Apply lean manufacturing principles and technical knowledge to reduce waste, improve equipment reliability, strengthen process capability, and make work safer and more efficient.

The successful candidate will apply working knowledge in the following areas:

- Manufacturing equipment and technologies
- Machine setup and process adjustment
- Previous experience running gear cutting machines including but not limited to hobs, shapers, and gear grinders
- Previous experience running lathes and machining centers
- Equipment troubleshooting and fault isolation
- Preventive maintenance and calibration
- Blueprint and schematic interpretation
- Manufacturing processes and process controls
- Product specifications and tolerance requirements
- Quality inspection and in-process testing
- Root-cause analysis and corrective action
- Lean manufacturing and waste reduction
- Standardized work and technical documentation
- Manufacturing safety and hazard recognition
- Technical instruction, coaching, and knowledge transfer
- Cross-functional problem solving

Why Join Our Team?

This role offers the opportunity to apply your technical expertise where it has a visible impact every day.

You will: