A global leader in heavy-duty equipment, Caterpillar moves the earth—literally. Caterpillar has facilities across the world. A partner since 2009, Caterpillar has offered several internships focusing on supply chain and optimizing operations, as well as more technically focused projects on welding. Caterpillar actively recruits students interested in leading initiatives in the company.
Santiago Andrade Aparicio (LGO ’23)
Title: Nuclear Microreactors as a Clean Energy Source for Data Centers and Mining Sites
Engineering Department: Nuclear Science and Engineering
Caterpillar has been hiring LGO graduates into their leadership pipeline for many years.
Rotational & Leadership Development Opportunities: The Caterpillar Accelerated Leadership Development Program is designed to provide experienced professionals with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience that enables them to make a real-world impact. MIT LGO graduates who join Caterpillar, a proud LGO partner company, will have the opportunity to complete a multi-phase program that includes:
- Participant choice of three rotational assignments from but not limited of the following options:
- New Technology Validation
- Autonomy Design
- Product Electrification
- Product Value Chain Design
- Strategic Procurement
- Lean Innovation
- Manufacturing Operations
- Field Assignment (Mine Site Autonomy Deployment or Services Growth)
- Mentorship by a senior Caterpillar Executive
- Intentional Leadership Development & Experiential Learning Opportunities.
- One 12–18-month developmental international assignment
Recent Post-Graduation Job Titles: Analytics Manager, Energy Transition Strategy Manager, Rotational Leadership Development Program Manager, Manufacturing Engineering Manager
Mark Membreno, P.E. (LGO ’24)
Site Deployment Manager, Dallas, TX, Caterpillar
While at LGO: MBA & SM Civil and Environmental Engineering
Previous Studies: Texas A&M University, B.S. in Civil Engineering; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, M.Eng. in Structural Engineering
Prior to LGO, Mark practiced as a structural engineer with specialty in seismic design and forensics. During his research fellowship at Boeing through LGO, he analyzed air travel’s price elasticity as the aviation industry moves towards decarbonization by adopting Sustainable Aviation Fuels. Mark joined Caterpillar’s rotation program and has worked in supply chain digital transformation and mining electrification helping plan and execute the Dynamic Energy Transfer’s first two pilots in Chile and Brazil.
Zack Morey (LGO ’21)
Senior Program Manager, Peoria, IL, Caterpillar
While at LGO: MBA & SM Mechanical Engineering
Previous Studies: Brigham Young University, B.S. in Chemical Engineering
Prior to LGO, Zack worked in the energy industry, supporting upstream oil and gas and petrochemical operations. During LGO, he worked with Nissan to apply plant data and machine learning to identify operational improvement opportunities. After graduation, Zack joined Rivian, where he supported the Normal, Illinois plant startup and early vehicle launch activities. He later joined Caterpillar, where he currently supports plant transformation, operational excellence, and growth initiatives.
Paige Youngerman (LGO ’20)
Manufacturing Project Engineer, Tucson Proving Grounds, Caterpillar
While at LGO: MBA & SM Mechanical Engineering
Previous Studies: United States Military Academy, Mechanical Engineering
Paige served as an Engineer Officer in the United States Army in a variety of construction management roles. At LGO, she conducted her internship at Caterpillar, working to understand the cost of complexity as a low volume part is manufactured. Paige joined Caterpillar after graduation where she was responsible for understanding and identifying opportunities for improvement in Large Mining Truck product cost. She is now working as a manufacturing engineer focused on electrification at the Tucson Proving Grounds.
Denise Johnson (LGO ’97)
Group President, Caterpillar
While at LGO: MBA & SM, Mechanical Engineering
Previous Studies: Michigan State University, Mechanical Engineering
Denise Johnson is the first woman to enter senior management in Caterpillar’s history. She joined Caterpillar in 2011 after a successful career at General Motors. At CAT, Denise is responsible for underground and surface mining products as well as CAT’s global supply network.
