2026 Leadership & Technical Development Program - Operations Leadership

Leadership And Technical Development Program (ltdp) For Operations Leadership

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 the Role

Caterpillar's Leadership and Technical Development Program (LTDP) for Operations Leadership is a three-year rotational program designed to accelerate development of entry-level talent and provide a solid foundation for meeting challenges within operations and manufacturing. Being part of the LTDP team offers you a broad exposure to Caterpillar, presents diverse project responsibilities, engages you in a global team, provides cross-functional job experiences and includes valuable networking opportunities with all levels of Caterpillar leadership. This program provides the opportunity to build foundational technical and leadership skills for future success within the organization.

Operations Leadership track is focused on building technical capabilities for managing Caterpillar's Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, and Supply Chain functions. This opportunity advances your development and training to build future leaders within Operations and Manufacturing. Upon successful completion of the three-year program, Operations Leadership professionals will be placed in a role with the expectation of being in that role a minimum of two years.

What You Will Do

Professionals within the program will complete three 12-month rotations, which are defined based on business needs. You must be willing to travel and relocate to any participating facility in North America upon hire and throughout each rotation while in the program. You'll join a team with diverse project responsibilities and have experiences including (but not limited to):

• Manufacturing Engineering
• Front Line Leadership
• Supply Chain, including planning, demand management, inventory management, etc.
• Procurement
• Quality

What You Have – Skills and Experiences

In this role, you will have the opportunity to contribute your unique skills and experiences. Below are some of the most critical skills:

• Decision making and critical thinking, problem solving, initiative, and adaptability
• Leading and developing others
• Ability to work with others of diverse cultures, interpersonal styles, and abilities in a constructive and collaborative manner.
• Fundamental understanding of manufacturing standards and safety
• Organize and manage multiple projects simultaneously, ability to quickly gain and effectively apply new skills & knowledge
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Participate in and build on our inclusive, constructive, and productive work environment
• Ensure all team member's contributions are recognized and valued

Program Qualifications

• Completed degree from a university/college by the start of the program in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or other relevant Engineering or Technology degrees
• Minimum cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.8/4.0 (no rounding)
• Must be willing to relocate domestically based upon business need for each rotation and for post-program assignment
• Program Start Dates: January & June 2026

Top Candidates May Also Have

• 0-2 years of relevant manufacturing or supply chain/logistics experience, which may include internships or academic projects
• Project or Team Leadership experience
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Additional Information

• Please attach your resume and an unofficial copy of your transcript to your application.
• Applicants will be considered for positions throughout the United States.
• Rotation locations can be anywhere in the U.S., including but not limited to the Midwest, Southeast, Texas, and Southern California.
• Relocation is available to those that qualify.
• Sponsorship is NOT available for this position.
• This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Final details

Please frequently check the email associated with your application, including the junk/spam folder, as this is the primary correspondence method. If you wish to know the status of your application – please use the candidate log-in on our career website as it will reflect any updates to your status. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.