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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.

Logistics Automation Engineer

Caterpillar · East Peoria, IL · $97,530–$146,290 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 28, 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 an automated material handling system you helped design or implement.

What they are checking: Whether they have real experience with automation for material movement, storage or picking.

Tell me about a time you worked with a vendor who wasn't meeting commitments.

What they are checking: Whether they can hold integrators accountable while keeping a project moving.

How do you get operators to trust and use a new automated system?

What they are checking: Whether they involve the people who will run the system so it gets adopted, not worked around.

What would you do

An automated system is running below its promised rate after handoff. How do you find out why?

What they are checking: Whether they diagnose throughput issues using data across people, process and equipment.

How do you decide whether a material movement problem should be automated at all?

What they are checking: Whether they recognize when a simpler process fix beats expensive automation.

About the work

How would you build a business case for an automated storage or AMR project?

What they are checking: Whether they can quantify safety, labor, capacity and quality benefits against full lifecycle cost.

Walk me through how you'd take a project from installation through commissioning and handoff to operations.

What they are checking: Whether they understand the full lifecycle the posting describes, not just the design stage.

What safety considerations come up when mixing automated vehicles and people on a plant floor?

What they are checking: Whether they design for pedestrian safety and follow relevant safety standards from the start.

How would you integrate an automated system with a warehouse or plant management system?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the software and data handoffs that make automation actually work.

What's your approach to point-of-use delivery and how could automation support it?

What they are checking: Whether they understand lean material flow and how automation can keep lines supplied.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Caterpillar.

Career Area: Supply Chain and Logistics 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. Logistics Automation Engineer Location: East Peoria , Illinois Travel: Up to 10% Relocation Assistance: Available Visa Sponsorship: Not Available Job Summary As a Logistics Automation Engineer you will design, implements, integrates, and continuously improves automated logistics solutions that enhance safety, material availability, operational efficiency, capacity, quality, and cost performance. This position supports automated material handling systems throughout their lifecycle—from opportunity identification and business-case development through installation, commissioning, operational handoff, and sustained performance. Key Responsibilities • Identifies, evaluates, and implements logistics automation solutions for material movement, storage, picking, replenishment, and point-of-use delivery using technologies such as AGVs, AMRs, ASRS, VLMs, robotics, machine vision, RFID, and conveyance systems. • Analyzes operational data, material flow, capacity, labor, and production requirements to develop automation concepts and validate solutions with vendors. • Develops equipment specifications, process flows, layouts, capacity models, risk assessments, business cases, and project requirements. • Leads automation projects from concept through vendor selection, design, installation, testing, commissioning, validation, and operational handoff. • Integrates automation systems with warehouse, manufacturing, ERP, and fleet-management platforms. • Ensures compliance with safety, ergonomic, and risk-management standards while monitoring system performance, troubleshooting issues, and driving continuous improvement. • Develops standard work, training, maintenance expectations, documentation, and operational support processes. • Manages multiple projects, communicates progress and risks to stakeholders, and evaluates emerging automation technologies for manufacturing logistics operations. Preferred Background • Experience in manufacturing logistics, warehouse operations, material flow, or supply chain engineering. • Experience implementing logistics automation technologies, including AGVs, AMRs, ASRS, VLMs, robotics, conveyance, and automated identification systems. • Knowledge of integrated operational systems, including ERP, WMS, MES, fleet-management platforms, APIs, and automated equipment controls. • Experience developing automation requirements, layouts, process flows, business cases, and implementation plans. • Understanding of Lean principles, capacity planning, root-cause analysis, standard work, and continuous improvement methodologies. • Strong analytical skills with experience using Excel, Power BI, SQL, or similar data-analysis tools. • Ability to lead cross-functional projects involving operations, engineering, IT, safety, facilities, procurement, and external suppliers. • Working knowledge of AutoCAD. • Strong communication, project management, problem-solving, and organizational skills. Skills You Will Have Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems. Data Gathering & Analysis: Knowledge of data gathering and analysis tools, techniques, and processes; ability to collect and synthesize data from a variety of stakeholders and sources in an objective manner to reach a conclusion, goal, or judgment. Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment. Flexibility and Adaptability: Knowledge of successful approaches and techniques for dealing with change; ability to adapt to a changing environment and be comfortable with change. Planning and Organizing: Knowledge of the process of planning and arranging tasks and resources; ability to plan and organize both time and resources to get things completed while structuring and maintaining work in a systematic and highly methodical way. Problem Solving: Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations. Process Management: Knowledge of business process improvement tools and techniques; ability to understand, monitor, update, control, or enhance existing business or work processes. Supply Chain Management - MFG: Knowledge of functions, principles and techniques used in supply chain management; ability to develop and use, strategies, practices and tools for controlling the logistical processes. Summary Pay Range: $97,530.00 - $146,290.00 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 This position requires working onsite five days a week. Relocation is available for this position. Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. Posting Dates: September 28, 2026 - October 4, 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 .