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This position has closed. Caterpillar removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 5, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Electronic Components Project Lead

Caterpillar · Mossville, IL · $129,875–$192,710 a year · Full time

Posted Jul 23, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 4, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you had to negotiate the terms of a business relationship with a supplier or partner.

What they are checking: Negotiation experience, which the posting lists as part of the job.

How do you motivate and develop a project team when you don't control their full workload?

What they are checking: Leadership skills for directing staffing and developing people, both named in the posting.

Tell me about a project where testing found a serious problem late. What did you do?

What they are checking: How they handle setbacks and communicate bad news to stakeholders.

How do you keep stakeholders in different functional areas informed without drowning them in detail?

What they are checking: Stakeholder communication skills tailored to what each group needs to know.

What would you do

A platform group asks for a schedule you know your team can't meet. How do you manage that expectation?

What they are checking: Whether they set honest expectations with customers rather than overpromise and miss.

How do you decide how to share limited engineering resources across projects for sales, marketing and platform groups?

What they are checking: Prioritization across internal customers based on business value rather than who pushes hardest.

About the work

Walk me through how you manage several engineering projects at once for electronic components used in machines and engines.

What they are checking: Their system for running multiple complex projects, which is the core of this role.

How do you track project cost and progress, and what tells you a project is in trouble early?

What they are checking: Use of project controls and early warning signs, which the posting asks them to oversee.

What makes designing electronic components for heavy machines and engines harder than for consumer electronics?

What they are checking: Understanding of harsh environment requirements like vibration, temperature and moisture.

What does a good periodic project review look like to you?

What they are checking: Whether reviews they run surface issues and drive decisions rather than just report status.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Caterpillar.

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. Caterpillar Inc. seeks Electronic Components Project Lead at its facility located at 2427 E. Engine Drive, Chillicothe, IL 61523. Manage multiple/complex engineering projects involving design, development and testing of electrical and electronic components for use within machine and engine systems. Coordinate with businesses, sales, marketing, and platform groups to manage resources for deliverables within projects. Oversee project progress and costs, communicate status with stakeholders and participate functional areas, address and resolve problems. Direct project staffing, motivate and develop project team. Communicate with customers and manage expectations, ensure effective use of project controls and reporting mechanisms. Negotiate the terms of business relationships. Conduct periodic reviews of work, progress, issues, and successes. Maintain productive, long-term relationships with clients/vendors. Demonstrate expertise in Machine and Engine Wiring Harness Design and Development and its applications to design and deliver innovative solutions that address complex technical challenges. Advise others on the assessment and provision of technical solutions. Engage appropriate subject matter resources to resolve technical issues. Mentor others to enhance their technical competence and its application to achieve more effective technical solutions. Coach others by promoting, defining, analyzing, and providing superior technical solutions to business problems. Provide solutions to technical challenges through technical competence, examine implications of events and issues. Own personal technical performance and foster a culture of accountability by holding others responsible for delivering on technical commitments. Apply comprehensive knowledge of project management principles to plan, organize, monitor, and control projects, ensuring optimal use of technical and administrative resources to achieve defined objectives. Utilize preferred tools, techniques and methods to estimate project cost and time. Plan, estimate, staff, organize and monitor significant projects. Identify risks and vulnerabilities, create contingency plans. Conduct regular and ad-hoc project reviews with project team, sponsors, and clients. Maintain open communication among project participants and interested parties. Communicate reporting requirements, create monitoring and control mechanisms. Demonstrate strong knowledge in electronics engineering, contribute to the design, testing, and manufacturing of electronic circuits, components, and devices. REQS: This position requires a bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent in Mechanical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Material Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Automation Engineering or in a related field and 8 years of experience in a Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related occupation. (1) Project Management Strategies in risk management for timely project execution such as; running deliverable lists, high project risk logs, risk mitigation ledger or other active program management tools; (2) Designing, developing, and testing electrical and electronic components for machine and engine systems such as thermal chamber use for electronic aging, vibration analysis for durability, finite element analysis for structural failures, etc.; (3) Electronics engineering experience with additional experience in Creo or other 3D modelling systems; and (4) MS Project, budgeting and estimating spreadsheets for projects. Travel: Up to 20% domestic and international to supply bases to facilitate assurance of supply initiatives in design and manufacturing. Summary Pay Range: $129,875.00 – $192,710.00 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 Applicants who are interested in this position should apply via www.caterpillar.com/careers , search [Electronic Components Project Lead / R0000384513] #LI-DNI This position requires working onsite five days a week. Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. Posting Dates: July 23, 2026 - November 22, 2026 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. Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community .