Logistics Automation Engineer

Career Area:

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:    

As a Logistics Automation Engineer, you will help design and deliver scalable intralogistics automation solutions across our plants and warehouses. Working closely with enterprise capability owners and cross‑functional teams, you will lead solution and architecture design, technical governance, and the development of MDP/MVP/MMP products, simulations, and system integrations.

Your work will span key automation technologies such as AGV/AMR fleet management, conveyors and sortation, AS/RS, and goods‑to‑person systems, along with integration between WMS, WCS, LOS, ERP, and MES platforms. With a strong focus on standardization, replication, and sustainability, you will help enable enterprise‑ready automation solutions that drive operational excellence at scale.

What You Will Do:

Discovery & Value

• Gemba walks and stakeholder interviews across production/logistics/warehouse/planning
• Identify automation use cases: line‑side replenishment, WIP/finished/semi‑finished handling, empty tote return, inbound/outbound/cross‑dock, wave/merge, dock/yard, in‑plant transport
• Quantify value: throughput/takt, waiting/transport waste, WIP, OTD, space utilization

Solution & Architecture

• Design E2E intralogistics solutions: AGV/AMR fleet, conveyors/sorters, palletizing/depalletizing, AS/RS, PTL/Put‑to‑Light, auto weigh/scan/vision, workstation integration (PLC/robotics)
• Architect integrations: WMS/WCS/LOS and ERP/MES orders, tasks, states, events

Technical Review & Governance

• Lead/support solution reviews, identify performance and integration risks
• Drive commonality and reuse

MDP/ MVP / MMP products development

• Define success criteria (throughput, takt, availability, zero safety incidents, conflict rate, etc.)
• Use simulation tools (e.g.Plant Simulation) for capacity and bottleneck analysis
• Produce evaluation reports and phased rollout with switch/rollback plans

Deployment & Continuous Improvement

• Coordinate go‑lives with OT/IT/Network/EHS/Maintenance/Operations

Enablement & Assets

• Create playbook as technical solution guideline including business requirements analysis, supplier base plan, architecture, lessons learn, best practices, safety & acceptance criteria, etc.

Education requirement:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Automation, Controls, Computer Science, Logistics Engineering, or a related field.

What skills you will have:

Analytical Thinking:

• Analyze intralogistics automation solutions across plants and warehouses, including AGV/AMR systems, AS/RS, conveyors/sortation, and goods‑to‑person technologies.
• Evaluate data from WMS/WCS/LOS and operational flows to identify performance gaps, constraints, and improvement opportunities.
• Compare solution alternatives to support scalable, standardized, and sustainable enterprise designs.

Decision Making & Critical Thinking:

• Support architecture and integration decisions for WMS/WCS/WES integrations with ERP/MES/APS, considering risk, complexity, and business impact.
• Apply structured thinking to integration approaches for reliable order, task, and event handling.
• Escalate complex technical or safety‑related decisions with clear analysis and recommendations.

Troubleshooting Technical Problems

• Troubleshoot routine automation and integration issues involving AGV/AMR fleet management, warehouse systems, and logistics automation equipment.
• Support diagnostics across OT/controls environments, including PLCs, sensors/actuators, industrial networks, and safety circuits.
• Identify and document integration, connectivity, or system behavior issues and support corrective actions with cross‑functional teams.

Effective Communications

• Develop clear architecture diagrams, interface definitions, and technical documentation to support governance and delivery.
• Communicate effectively with operations, IT, engineering, and vendors to align scope, responsibilities, and timelines.
• Drive execution through strong cross‑functional collaboration, clear status updates, and issue resolution.

Top Candidates will also have:

• Experience with simulation tools (e.g., Plant Simulation)
• Familiarity with Warehouse Management system such as SAP WM/EWM, Blue Yonder, and Manufacturing Execution Systems such as SAP ME or PinPoint

Additional Information:    

This position requires the candidate to work onsite five days a week at the Mossville, IL office.

Domestic relocation assistance is NOT available for this position.

Visa sponsorship is NOT available with this position.

This position may require up to 30% travel.

Summary Pay Range:

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

Posting Dates:

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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