Equipment Operator – Machine Test & Development

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.

This Equipment Operator – Machine Test & Development (internally known as a Test & Validation Technologist) position is a unique and exciting opportunity on the Caterpillar team.  This role provides critical Voice of the Customer input and insight into operator needs during new product development and validation testing and will use your superior machine operating skill and experience to replicate common and unique applications and jobs performed in the “real world”.  You will safely push machines to their design limits during machine evaluations, tuning, and testing, while using good verbal and written communication skills to provide feedback and guidance to engineering throughout.  This critical role helps Caterpillar create the best performing, most reliable products for our customers.

The Equipment Operator – Machine Test & Development is part of the Machine Test & Development Team which collaborates with design, development, and validation teams for multiple Caterpillar, Building Construction Products Division (BCP) product groups.  These include Backhoe Loader (BHL), Mini Hydraulic Excavator (MHEX), Small Wheel Loaders (SWL), Small Track Type Tractors (STTT), Compact Track Loaders (CTL), Work Tool Attachments (WT), and other future products.  You’ll also have the opportunity to work with and help shape advancing technologies such as remote control, autonomy, and electrification.  You’ll do all of this during New Product Introduction (NPI) and Current Product Improvement (CPI) project execution at our excellent and still developing Clayton Machine Development Center (CMDC) facility near Raleigh, NC.

What you will do:

• Hold yourself and others accountable for safety at all times
• Operate BHLs, MHEs, SWLs, STTTs, CTLs, WTs, etc. in cooperation with engineering to complete machine development tuning and testing activities that include:
  • Wide variety of instrumented Machine Tests where data is recorded and analyzed by engineering
  • Benchmarking & productivity studies where machine performance and efficiencies are measured
  • Evaluations where different machine settings / components / features / layouts are compared in areas such as:  usability, ergonomics, visibility, intuitiveness, serviceability, safety, customer experience & value, and overall acceptability and/or needed improvements
• Use advanced machine operating techniques and skills to support safe collection of high quality, usable data during various machine development activities.  These techniques and skills include:
  • Accurately replicating a wide variety of real-world customer applications
  • Performing highly proficient, consistent, and repeatable machine operation
  • Pushing machines hard for extended periods of time to determine design limits
  • Adjusting operating technique to simulate different customer styles and experience levels
  • Closely follow written & verbal instructions & procedures, especially in new or unfamiliar applications
• Other responsibilities include:
  • Communicating detailed verbal and written feedback usable by engineers to make improvements
  • Preparing machines and fields for testing, including:
    • Changing attachments (e.g. buckets, tools, teeth, etc.) & adding ballast (to increase weight)
    • Performing minor troubleshooting, repairs, and maintenance (e.g. grease, filters, etc.)
    • Planning and constructing special test courses and fields (e.g. compacted fields, stockpiles, obstacle/bump courses, side slopes, measure & layout trenching fields, etc.)
  • Creating / updating standard procedures for field preparations and machine operations during testing
  • Assessing, maintaining, and improving facility test fields, roads, and erosion control features
  • Utilizing support equipment in various tasks (e.g. water truck, motor grader, large dozer, soil compactor, 3D GPS grading systems, and soil compaction measurement tools)
  • Developing and leading “safe machine operations” training for inexperienced operators / engineers
  • Participating in engineering concept / design review meetings to provide early input
  • Transporting / hauling machines around the site and to other facilities nearby
  • Periodically evaluate machines for proper function or to investigate potential issues
     

What you will have (Basic Qualifications):

• Product Experience:   Significant equipment operating experience and expertise that includes:
  • Operating multiple machine types including backhoe loaders, tracked hydraulic excavators, articulated wheel loaders, track type tractor/dozers, and/or skid steer loaders/compact track loaders
  • Performing a wide variety of real-world customer applications including utilities installation, grading, drainage, basement / footing excavation, aggregate / material handling & truck loading, erosion control, landscaping, paving / road construction, land clearing, etc.
• Technical Excellence :  Progressive experience operating construction equipment with advanced machine operating skill and ability to:
  • Operate with speed while maintaining efficiency, consistency, and repeatedly
  • Operate for extended periods while pushing machines to their maximum capability
  • Detect and describe subtle changes in performance, response, “feel”, etc. due to changes in settings, components, etc.
  • Change operating style depending on situation
• Effective Communication:   Good communication skills (verbal & written) with ability to:
  • Follow written and verbal instructions
  • Create, explain, and document standard procedures so that others can easily follow
  • Provide detailed, usable feedback that helps drive the right changes and improvements 
• Additional Requirements:  
  • Ability to perform physically strenuous activities on occasion as related to service and maintenance of machines and typical worksite operations.  These include:
    • Lifting up to 35 lbs., working in variable weather conditions (e.g. hot, cold, humidity, dust, mud, & rain), and working variable and/or extended hours as needed to complete tests
  • Ability to travel (<10%), including visits to customer sites to learn new or special applications, requirements, and/or investigate concerns / complaints
  • A valid Driver’s License

Top Candidates Will Also Have:

• Operator Certifications (Caterpillar or other) and/or College degree or coursework
• Valid CDL Class A License
• Experience operating other equipment including:
  • Mid to Large sized earthmoving equipment & exposure to non-Caterpillar brand equipment
  • Motor Graders for road construction & maintenance
  • Soil Compactors along with soil compaction testing (Troxler, etc)
  • GPS and/or laser grading systems & software (e.g. Earthworks, Trimble (Rover, Business Center)
• Experience performing minor machine troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair
• Experience training / teaching machine operations
• Basic typing & computer skills (MS Office/365).
• Soft Skills including abilities to:
  • Learn and adapt to new equipment & technologies
  • Work in cross functional teams and interact professionally with engineers, dealers, & customers
  • Self-direct work, prioritizing and balancing multiple projects at once

Additional Info :

• Domestic relocation is available to those who qualify.
• Visa sponsorship is not available.

What You Will Get:

Our goal at Caterpillar is for you to have a rewarding career. Our teams are critical to the success of our customers who build a better world.

Here you earn more than just a salary because we value your performance. We offer a total rewards package that provides day one benefits [medical, dental, vision, RX, and 401(k)] along with the potential of an annual bonus.

Additional benefits include paid vacation days and paid holidays (prorated based upon hire date).

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 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.

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:

April 10, 2024 - April 24, 2024

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.   

EEO/AA Employer.  All qualified individuals - Including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities - are encouraged to apply.

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