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Quality Engineer

Caterpillar · East Peoria, IL · $112,710–$169,060 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 28, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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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 the inspection and audit work you have done in a manufacturing plant. What did you inspect and how?

What they are checking: Hands-on depth in advanced inspection, which is the center of this East Peoria role.

Tell me about a time you reduced waste or variation in a process. What was the result?

What they are checking: Whether their continuous improvement work has measurable outcomes.

What would you do

A defect has reached the customer. What are your first steps?

What they are checking: Whether they contain first, protect the customer, then investigate, in the right order.

How would you convince a manufacturing team to change a process they think works fine?

What they are checking: Ability to influence partners with evidence, since quality depends on collaboration with manufacturing and engineering.

Production is pushing to ship parts you think are borderline. What do you do?

What they are checking: Integrity and backbone about conformance, paired with a fast path to a decision.

About the work

How do you use data to tell whether a process is stable and capable?

What they are checking: Working knowledge of SPC and capability studies to reduce variation, not just catch defects.

Walk me through a root cause investigation you led. Which tools did you use?

What they are checking: Disciplined problem solving with tools like 5 Why, fishbone or 8D that reaches real causes.

What is the difference between finding defects and preventing them, and how does that change your daily work?

What they are checking: Whether they think in prevention, which the posting emphasizes over inspection alone.

How do you decide whether a measurement system is good enough to trust its results?

What they are checking: Understanding of gauge R&R and measurement error before acting on inspection data.

How do you report quality results so leaders can act on them quickly?

What they are checking: Clear reporting that turns inspection and audit data into decisions.

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The full job description

As published by Caterpillar.

Career Area: Manufacturing 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. Quality Engineer Location: East Peoria, IL Travel: Up to 5% Relocation Assistance: Available Visa Sponsorship: Not Available Job Summary When you join Caterpillar, you’re joining a global team of makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. As a Quality Engineer, you will be responsible for performing advanced inspection and audits to track, analyze, and report on materials, processes, and products to ensure conformance to company's quality standards. In this role, you will collaborate closely with manufacturing and engineering partners to prevent defects, reduce variation and waste, and strengthen quality system execution. This is an on‑site manufacturing quality role focused on disciplined quality execution and continuous improvement. Key Responsibilities • Gather, analyze, trend, and communicate non‑conformance and defect data to support root‑cause analysis and corrective action • Maintain and update quality system documentation to ensure traceability and audit readiness • Provide technical support for internal and external audits, including corrective action follow‑up and closure • Partner with manufacturing, engineering, and support teams to identify quality risks and implement preventive controls • Work in a team environment to implement best practices that emphasize defect prevention, reduction in variation and waste, and continuous improvement • Sets priorities and recommend solutions to support production requirements • Leads cross functional team to solve complex quality issues • Lead/Support quality initiatives (Built in Quality, Lean, Defect Free, APQP..etc) • Manage Disposition of non-conforming material through analysis of defects and root cause identification • Develop and manage quality plan Required Skills • Quality Management Systems (QMS): Working knowledge of quality system processes, documentation, and compliance requirements • Problem Solving: Ability to identify issues, analyze root causes, evaluate alternatives, and support corrective and preventive actions • Accuracy & Attention to Detail: Strong focus on precision, documentation quality, and error prevention • Collaboration: Ability to work effectively across teams, functions, and levels of the organization • Decision Making & Critical Thinking: Applies structured thinking to evaluate issues and support sound decisions • Flexibility & Adaptability: Comfortable working in a fast‑paced, changing manufacturing environment • Project Management (Foundational): Understanding of tasks, deliverables, and timelines related to quality actions Preferred Skills • Education: Engineering Degree or equivalent experience desired • Experience in Manufacturing Engineering, Design Engineering, and/or Quality • Deep expertise in one of the category Fabrication, Casting, Machining • Solid experience with Quality & Data analysis tools. • Expert with GD&T and Metrology Equipment (Vision Systems, CMM, 3D laser & Blue light Scanners) • ASQ quality certification- CQE, CRE, CMQ&OE, CQA, CSSBB • Experience working in Automotive supply base as QE or Product development/New product introduction (APQP) experience. • Weld Engineering Experience. ASNT-II or CWI • Experience with Product design and design software, Creo • Hands on experience with Data analysis tools & Powerbi, or similar visualization tools • Good human relations skills are needed to develop a cooperative work relationship with others inside and outside the department • General understanding of the Caterpillar organization, products, policies, and procedures Summary Pay Range: $112,710.00 - $169,060.00 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 11, 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? 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