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Manufacturing Engineering Manager -Paint Process

Caterpillar · Manufacturing & Industrial

  • Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra
  • On-site
  • Posted 5 days ago
  • Apply by 7 Oct
  • Core Engineering
Apply on Caterpillar(opens the employer’s site in a new tab)

About the job

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.

"Updated: 09/23/2026

The Paint Manufacturing Engineering Manager is responsible for leading the manufacturing engineering function for the paint shop, ensuring robust paint processes, equipment capability, product quality, operational efficiency, and launch readiness. This role drives process engineering, automation, robotics, capacity expansion, capital projects, continuous improvement, and Industry 4.0 initiatives while supporting safety, quality, cost, delivery, and environmental objectives.

The position requires strong expertise in automated paint systems, robotic paint application technologies, paint process optimization, manufacturing engineering, and industrial project execution.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Engineering Leadership

Lead Paint Manufacturing Engineering activities across all paint operations.
Develop and implement manufacturing strategies aligned with business objectives.
Ensure efficient, capable, and sustainable paint processes.
Establish engineering standards, specifications, and best practices.
Support plant productivity, quality, cost, and delivery targets.

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Paint Process Engineering

Responsible for engineering and optimization of:

Pretreatment and phosphating systems
Electro-deposition (E-Coat) processes
Powder coating operations
Liquid paint operations
Paint booth systems
Paint kitchen and circulation systems
Sealant and coating application processes
Curing ovens and thermal systems
Material handling and conveyor systems

Key Deliverables

Process capability improvements
Paint consumption optimization
Transfer efficiency improvement
Reduction in paint defects
Quality and throughput enhancement
Standardization of process parameters

________________________________________

Robotics & Automation Engineering

Lead engineering and optimization of:

ABB Paint Robots

Responsibilities

Robot path programming and optimization
Cycle time reduction projects
Robotic application parameter optimization
Paint atomizer performance improvement
TCP calibration and validation
Robot simulation and offline programming
Automation upgrades and modernization
Digital manufacturing initiatives

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New Product Launch & Industrialization

Lead paint process development for new product introductions.
Support APQP and production readiness activities.
Develop PFMEA and control plans.
Conduct process validation and capability studies.
Manage trial builds and pilot production activities.
Ensure successful launch execution with zero quality disruptions.

________________________________________

Capital Projects & Plant Expansion

Lead paint shop greenfield and brownfield projects.
Prepare capital expenditure (CAPEX) proposals.
Define equipment specifications and technical requirements.
Manage procurement, installation, and commissioning activities.
Coordinate with equipment suppliers and system integrators.
Deliver projects on schedule and within budget.

Typical projects include:

New paint booths
Robotic paint cells
Conveyor systems
Oven upgrades
Automation projects
Industry 4.0 implementation
Capacity expansion programs

________________________________________

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

Drive Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives.
Improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
Reduce defects, rework, and process variation.
Lead Value Stream Mapping exercises.
Conduct Kaizen workshops.
Improve paint shop throughput and productivity.
Support cost reduction programs.

________________________________________

Quality & Process Control

Establish robust process control systems.
Analyze paint quality performance metrics.
Lead root cause investigations for paint defects.
Support customer and internal quality audits.
Ensure compliance with automotive quality standards.
Develop corrective and preventive action plans.

Common defects managed:

Orange peel
Runs and sags
Dirt inclusions
Dry spray
Blistering
Adhesion failures
Color variation
Gloss variation

________________________________________

Safety, Environmental & Regulatory Compliance

Ensure compliance with all plant safety requirements.
Support safe handling of paints, chemicals, and flammable materials.
Ensure compliance with environmental regulations related to:

o VOC emissions

o Hazardous waste management

o Water treatment systems

o Air pollution control systems

Lead risk assessments and process safety reviews.

________________________________________

Team Leadership

Lead Manufacturing Engineers and Process Engineers.
Develop technical talent and succession plans.
Build a high-performance engineering organization.
Mentor engineers in paint technology and automation.
Drive employee engagement and continuous learning.

________________________________________

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

First Pass Yield (FPY) > 98%
Paint Defects per Unit Reduction
OEE Improvement
Paint Transfer Efficiency Improvement
Paint Consumption Reduction
New Product Launch Success Rate
Equipment Capacity Utilization
CAPEX Project Delivery Performance
Safety Performance
Environmental Compliance
Cost Savings Achievement
On-Time Project Completion

________________________________________

Educational Qualifications

Required

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Production Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Mechatronics.

Preferred

Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt Certification.
Project Management Certification.
Robotics Certification (ABB).

________________________________________

Experience

Required

12-15+ years of manufacturing engineering experience.
Minimum 5 years in paint manufacturing engineering leadership.
Strong experience in automotive or heavy equipment paint shop operations.

Preferred

Experience with robotic paint application systems.
Greenfield facility development and commissioning.
Experience in automotive, engine, genset, agricultural equipment, or construction equipment manufacturing.
Industry 4.0 and Smart Factory implementation experience.

________________________________________

Technical Competencies

Paint Process Expertise

Pretreatment
Phosphating
E-Coat
Powder Paint
Liquid Paint
Paint Chemistry
Paint Application Technologies

Manufacturing Engineering

APQP
PFMEA
Process Validation
Capacity Planning
Industrial Engineering
Standard Work
Process Optimization

Automation & Robotics

ABB Robots
PLC Systems
SCADA Systems
Vision Systems
Industrial Networking

Continuous Improvement

Lean Manufacturing
Six Sigma
TPM
Root Cause Analysis
Value Stream Mapping
Kaizen
OEE

Posting Dates:

September 24, 2026 - October 7, 2026

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply

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