Supply Development Engineer - Heavy fabrication

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc. When you join Caterpillar, you are 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. Together, we are building a better world.

Caterpillar is looking for a Supplier Development Engineer – Heavy fabrication. Focusing on the UK region, acting as a liaison between the company and our external partners, you will ensure they are performing according to Caterpillar's standards and values.

Location: Desford

What Will You Do:

• Lead Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) for welding structures.
• Assess supplier quality and ensure that all products are defect-free and comply with manufacturing specifications and legal standards. Review and approve PPAPs.
• Conduct supplier quality control audits to ensure compliance with organizational and federal policies and standards.
• Support suppliers in improving their performance through process enhancements, implementing process controls, and developing quality assurance plans.
• Lead the resolution of quality issues at the supplier level.
• Ensure the quality of supplies by conducting tests and assessments on incoming supplies to identify any quality issues.
• Develop supplier inspection, testing, and evaluation mechanisms.
• Support CPPD work during the design development phase between Engineering and the supplier.

What You Will Have:

• Completed Engineering studies or equivalent experience.
• Experience in leading Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP).
• Extensive knowledge of GD&T (Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing).
• Experience to review/approve or create PFMEAs on complex fabrications.
• Experience to review/approve or create Control Plans on complex fabrications.
• Experience to review/approve or create process capability studies on complex fabrications.
• Knowledge in welding processes and specifications.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes (machining, laser cutting, and bending).
• Great and effective communication skills including expertise in negotiation techniques.
• Ability to plan, guide, and monitor manufacturing processes for improvement and compliance.
• Knowledge of Supplier Management and Evaluation processes.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 50% of the overall work and to spend approximately 6 months improving a specific supplier upon your employment.

Best Candidates Will Also Have:

• Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering degree.
• Experience in procurement.
• Six sigma blackbelt, knowledge on DMAIC methodology.
• Proven track record of working with suppliers on developing complex heavy fabrications.
• Experience to review/approve or create Measurement System Analysis Studies.
• Advanced knowledge in welding processes and specifications.

What We Offer:

• Annual salary of gross £55,000 to £70,000 based on the level of experience.
• 27 days annual leave plus Bank holidays.
• Up to 12% annual Bonus.
• Contributory pension scheme - Caterpillar will double the employee's contribution up to 10%.
• Contributory share scheme - Caterpillar will match 50% of the employee's contribution.
• Optional flexible benefits including access to private health and dental care plans, EV car lease etc.
• Private medical care.

The Power of Everyone: At Caterpillar, we believe each person is unique and valued and are committed to ensuring that our workplace is diverse and representative of the many customers we serve around the globe.

Posting Dates: June 24, 2025 - July 15, 2025

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer.