Engineering Manager

Position Summary

Company Description :Progress Rail stands at the intersection of legacy and innovation—driving the future of rail with a pioneering spirit. Since its founding in 1983, the company has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most trusted providers of railroad products, services, and technologies. Today, Progress Rail delivers a comprehensive portfolio of cost-effective solutions to railway customers around the globe. From the rails themselves to the EMD® locomotives that ride them, the company’s products are in operation across more than 100 countries—powering progress and connecting communities. In 2006, Progress Rail joined Caterpillar Inc., further strengthening its ability to lead the rail industry with cutting-edge technology, unmatched expertise, and a commitment to excellence. At Progress Rail, the team is not just building the future of rail—they are making history every day.

Job Purpose

The Engineering Experimental Test & Facility Manager leads a diverse team of 10 salaried and ~30 skilled trades hourly employees conducting experimental testing and product development of locomotives and locomotive systems in support of new product development, reliability improvement and continuous product improvement. The group is also responsible for ensuring that the campus, buildings, and infrastructure are well maintained to provide a safe, productive, and environmentally friendly workplace for all employees.

Key Job Elements

• Leads the execution of experimental testing of Locomotives, large diesel engines, traction motors, alternators, and various locomotive subcomponents in test cells and work areas on the LaGrange campus;
• Manage engineering materials warehouse, shipping, and receiving;
• Manages an extensive list of contracted services including Plant Security, Housekeeping, Groundskeeping, Snow Removal, Pest Control, Fire System, Trash and Recycling;
• Drives safety and good housekeeping standards in all areas of the workplace;
• Makes sure workforce activities comply with recommended safety procedures;
• Participates in the selection of new employees, salaried and hourly;
• Trains, develops, assigns work and evaluates immediate subordinates;
• Responsible for overall departmental planning and objectives;
• Coordinates activities with staff of engineers and supervisors;
• Interprets divisional and departmental policy & sets priorities for supervisors as needed;
• Complies with the terms of the UAW local and national labor agreements;
• Nearly constant contact with others outside the work group;
• Prepares and manages departmental expense and CAPEX budgets;
• Provides resource estimates, cost estimates, and forecasts of expenditures;
• Interface with the Village of McCook, Village of LaGrange and neighboring business as needed.

Education/Training

• Required: Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Engineering.
• PREFERRED: Master’s degree in engineering or an MBA.

Qualifications & Experience

• Required Qualifications: 10+ years of relevant work experience; Understanding of Caterpillar’s Code of Conduct and a track record of upholding Cat Values; Thorough knowledge of design, development and test engineering, manufacturing and assembly operators, material procurement processes, engineering processes and procedures; Knowledge of large diesel engine design and operation; Ability to read engineering drawings and sketches; Extremely high level of analytical ability where problems are very unusual and extremely difficult; Ability to apply engineering principles to design, test and other engineering procedures; Fluency in all MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); High level of oral and written communication skills; Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with others, motivate employees, and elicit work output; Proven ability to handle complex technical logistics and management issues; Strong project management skills; High attention to detail.
• Distinguishing Qualifications: Prior Caterpillar work experience and knowledge of Caterpillar engine applications; Previous locomotive familiarity and test experience; Prior work with UAW represented employees; Lean manufacturing and process improvement experience; Certification in problem solving tools such as 6 Sigma, 8D, Shainin, of others.

Additional Information

• Chosen employee will be expected to be onsite during all core working hours, Monday through Friday. Remote work will be minimal and only permitted on an exception basis;
• There are minimal travel requirements.

Essential and Physical Activities

• Strength – Position involves work in both an office environment with daily visits to an industrial environment. Frequent sitting, standing and walking. Occasional light to medium-level lifting (up to 30 pounds).
• Motion – Position regularly requires standard motions associated with working in an office environment.
• Vision/Hearing Requirements – Frequent verbal communications, including both talking and hearing.
• Work Environment – Position is located in an office environment with daily visits to an industrial environment which may include a non-temperature-controlled environment, as well as exposure to noise (85+ decibels), occasional exposure to temperature changes, heavy machinery and other hazardous working conditions requiring the use of PPE.
• Emotional Demands – Very high level of responsibility. Must be able to coordinate diverse aspects of a project. Requires significant interpersonal skills while sustaining very high standards.
• Safety – This position requires the use of Personal Protective Equipment during visits to industrial areas.

Benefits

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 Progress Rail.

• Competitive Salary
• 401(k) plan with up to 6% company match (no waiting period with immediate vesting)
• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life/Disability Insurance
• Supplemental Accident, Critical Care, and Hospital Insurance available along with an HDHP and HSA with seed money
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Education Assistance Program
• Employee Recognition Programs
• Site specific Production and Incentive Plans
• Site specific Step and Skill Level Wage Adjustment Plans
• Site Specific Relocation and Sign-on Bonus Programs

*Benefits eligibility varies by job position, full-time/part-time and regular/temporary status. The provisions of the plan documents control such benefits.