Production Engineer Jobs in Indiana
Production Engineer jobs in Indiana concentrate in automotive manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and advanced materials, with demand at every level from entry-level process roles to senior plant leadership. Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Columbus are the most active hiring metros, anchored by employers like Eli Lilly, Cummins, and Toyota Manufacturing Indiana. The strongest demand is in lean manufacturing, process optimization, and quality systems engineering across high-volume production environments. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Career Area:
EngineeringJob 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.
About LPSD
The Large Power Systems Division (LPSD) is part of Caterpillar’s Power & Energy segment. Through this global organization, Caterpillar designs and manufacture large (greater than 18 liters) diesel and natural gas engines, powertrains and key engine systems. LPSD products and solutions support customers across power generation, industrial, marine, oil & gas, rail, services and Cat® machine applications worldwide.
Job Summary:
The Large Power Systems Division currently has an opening for a Senior Associate Performance Engineer in the Production Performance team located in Lafayette, IN. In this role you will support engine production performance, factory test operations, and global customer applications, solve challenging engineering problems involving engine performance publication and production processes using data analysis and hands-on test support. You will also deliver solutions that improve product quality, factory efficiency, and customer outcomes. This position will close on 11/15/2026 at 11:59pm ET.
What you will do:
- Support current diesel engine product lines
- Develop, publish, and maintain engine performance data in TMI (Technical Marketing Information)
- Analyze and process special rating requests and sales inquiries
- Create custom performance data to support customer applications
- Support product support teams to resolve field performance issues
- Collaborate with global teams on performance data publication
- Develop and maintain factory hot test specifications across multiple facilities
- Provide direct support to Lafayette test operations including troubleshooting and issue resolution
- Drive test process improvements to increase throughput, efficiency, and capacity
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives to improve production quality and velocity Partner with design, manufacturing, and other stakeholders to deliver product and process improvements
Degree Requirement:
Bachelor’s degree in engineering or engineering technology
What you will have:
Process Management: Knowledge of business process improvement tools and techniques; ability to understand, monitor, update, control, or enhance existing business or work processes.
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.
Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
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.
Technical Excellence: Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.
Top Candidates Will Also Have:
- Experience with large diesel or gas engine performance and troubleshooting
- Familiarity with Caterpillar engine product systems and configurations
- Experience supporting factory testing or production environments Advanced data analysis or programming skills (e.g., Excel VBA, Python, SQL, Power BI)
Additional Information:
- This position is in Lafayette, IN
- Relocation is available for this position
- Travel: Up to 10% domestic or possible international
- Visa sponsorship is not available for this position
This Job Description is intended as a general guide to the job duties for this position and is intended for the purpose of establishing the specific salary grade. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive summary of all responsibilities, duties and effort required of employees assigned to this job. At the discretion of management, this description may be changed at any time to address the evolving needs of the organization. It is expressly not intended to be a comprehensive list of “essential job functions” as that term is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. #LI
Summary Pay Range:
$89,210.00 - $133,810.00Compensation 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
Relocation is available for this position. Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
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.
Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.
See All 16 Production Engineer Jobs in Indiana
Find roles in Indiana that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Production Engineer JobsProduction Engineer Jobs by City in Indiana
Where Indiana roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Production Engineer Job Market in Indiana
A snapshot from current Indiana openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Chemicals & Materials
What Indiana Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in production engineer jobs across Indiana.
- Bachelor's degree in industrial, mechanical, or manufacturing engineering from an ABET-accredited program
- Hands-on experience with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies
- Proficiency with CAD software and manufacturing process simulation tools
- Familiarity with ISO 9001 or IATF 16949 quality management standards common in Indiana plants
- Strong root-cause analysis skills and experience leading production line troubleshooting
- Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with quality, supply chain, and maintenance teams
Production Engineer Jobs in Indiana: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a production engineer in Indiana?
Most production engineer roles in Indiana require a bachelor's degree in industrial, mechanical, or manufacturing engineering from an ABET-accredited program. Indiana does not require a state-issued license for most private-sector production engineering work, though a Professional Engineer license issued through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency strengthens candidacy for senior or public-sector roles. Many Indiana employers in automotive and pharmaceutical manufacturing prioritize candidates with internship or co-op experience gained through programs at Purdue University, Rose-Hulman, or IUPUI.
Which companies hire production engineers in Indiana?
Companies currently hiring production engineers in Indiana include Meta, Toyota Material Handling, and Heartland Food Products, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Indiana's concentration of automotive, pharmaceutical, and defense manufacturers means demand is consistent across both large corporations and their regional tier-one suppliers.
Which Indiana cities have the most production engineer jobs?
Columbus, Indianapolis, and Lebanon hold the most production engineer openings in Indiana. Indianapolis drives volume through its pharmaceutical and logistics sectors, anchored by employers like Eli Lilly and major distribution operations, while Fort Wayne and Columbus benefit from Toyota Manufacturing Indiana and a dense network of automotive parts suppliers that sustain consistent demand for process and manufacturing engineers.
Are there remote production engineer jobs in Indiana?
Yes, but they're rare. Production engineering is inherently hands-on, requiring floor presence for process oversight, equipment troubleshooting, and quality verification. About 33% of production engineer openings tied to Indiana are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to cover analytical or documentation-heavy functions like process design, systems validation, or manufacturing standards development that don't require daily plant access.
How can I get hired as a production engineer in Indiana with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to new-graduate or rotational manufacturing programs at large Indiana employers. Cummins and Eli Lilly both run structured engineering development rotations that place new engineers across production, quality, and process functions. Entry-level titles like manufacturing technician, process associate, or quality engineer are common lateral starting points at Indiana automotive suppliers. A completed engineering degree, a documented co-op with a Midwest manufacturer, or a Six Sigma Green Belt gives a candidate a measurable edge in competitive postings.
Where can I find and apply to production engineer jobs in Indiana?
You can find and apply to production engineer jobs in Indiana on Migrate Mate, which lists current Indiana openings from employers across the state. Search the listings for roles that match your experience and specialization, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 16 Production Engineer Jobs in Indiana
Find roles in Indiana that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Production Engineer Jobs