I worked at Caterpillar for 36 years and had my job eliminated. - Software Engineer Caterpillar Employee Review

1.0
Dec 18, 2009
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I received a wonderful on the job education as it relates to software and process. I also had the latitude to travel the globe and work with users within the Caterpillar network.

Cons

Upper management does not care 30,000 employees have been "thrown under the bus". For the most part it is due to the fact 90 percent are over 50. I was one of the casualties. Caterpillar has a Code of Conduct that stresses employees are treated equally and rewarded for performance. This is hypocracy at it's finest hour. There are two sets of rules...1 for the employees "in the club" and another set of rules for everyone else. I was proud to work for Caterpillar until I was a casually. I could work rings around several younger employees who attempted to do a portion of what I did. Upper management is totally ruthless and could not care less about the feelings or well being of employees. I don't expect the younger employees who survived the "cut" to stick around for 30 or more years. They will not put up with the political games I endurred. Caterpillar's expertise will dramatically suffer without the senior employees who had knowledge and experience.

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5.0
Jun 7, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great benefits Great WLB Great pay

Cons

Low mobility to move up within company

2.0
Jun 10, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good health insurance and benefits, good yearly bonuses. The pay is good.

Cons

They are enforcing returning to office by any means necessary. They have lost many high-quality producers who have refused to relocate or refuse to come in. Here's the kicker - they are requiring in-person attendance at the Chicago office and there aren't even enough desks for everyone. It would be a literal fire hazard if we all came into the Chicago office at the same time, M-F, during business hours. No one knows how or if they are going to actually enforce this. Cost of gas is insane, Joe doesn't care about the workers. Or the work for that matter. It's obvious this is a soft layoff, they have made a bunch of people quit. Their internal design agency is falling apart, lots of people have quit, not only because of return to office but because of the toxic politics, favoritism, and lack of direction and accountability. Mediocre workers are allowed to keep their jobs ONLY because of their ability to put their bodies in a chair and work in-person. The other relocation option HR gave besides Chicago was Peoria. No one wants to live in Peoria for any reason whatsoever, be for real.

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