Caleb Prater
West Lafayette,IN
Summary
Detail-oriented Manufacturing Professional with 9 years in precision machining and process improvement. Collaborates effectively with engineering, quality, and production teams to troubleshoot challenges and enhance processes. Skilled in interpreting complex engineering drawings and GD&T requirements. Currently supporting the 3600 large engine platform and pursuing a B.S. in Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering (August 2026).
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
3600 Block Machinist
Caterpillar
Lafayette
02.2025 - Current
- Support production of CAT 3600 engine blocks by monitoring machining processes, verifying dimensional accuracy, and ensuring components meet engineering specifications and GD&T requirements.
- Troubleshoot machining and tooling issues on large CNC equipment, working closely with maintenance and engineering teams to resolve mechanical and process-related problems.
- Interpret engineering drawings, tolerances, and work instructions to verify machining operations and ensure compliance with product design requirements.
- Collaborate with manufacturing and maintenance personnel to improve process stability, reduce downtime, and maintain production throughput on critical engine components.
- Identify tooling wear, machining inconsistencies, and process deviations, escalating issues to engineering teams and assisting in root cause analysis and corrective actions.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by recommending process adjustments and tooling improvements that enhance machining reliability and product quality.
Process Engineer (Swiss/Chucker Lathe Machinist)
LH Medical
Fort Wayne, IN
03.2024 - 02.2025
- Developed and maintained CNC Swiss lathe programs to manufacture complex medical components to tight tolerances and engineering specifications.
- Partnered with Quality Engineers and CMM Programmers to develop and refine inspection strategies and CMM programs for product verification.
- Supported New Product Introduction (NPI) projects by evaluating tooling, machine setups, and material behavior to ensure manufacturability and process stability.
- Conducted process experiments to identify opportunities for cycle time reduction, cost savings, and improved machining efficiency.
- Investigated dimensional and process issues alongside Quality Engineering teams to determine root causes and implement corrective actions.
- Collaborated with machine tool builders and tooling suppliers to resolve equipment issues and optimize tooling performance for complex parts.
- Improved machining precision and production efficiency by refining tooling configurations and machining strategies on Swiss and chucker lathes.
- Standardized tooling locations and setup kits for Swiss lathe operations by reorganizing and labeling tooling cabinets to match setup sheets and job requirements, improving workflow efficiency and reducing setup time for machinists.
Machinist
Zimmer Biomet
Warsaw, IN
07.2019 - 02.2024
- Setup and operated precision CNC machining equipment to manufacture orthopedic components requiring tight tolerances and strict quality standards.
- Interpreted engineering drawings and GD&T specifications to verify dimensional accuracy and ensure compliance with product design requirements.
- Collaborated with engineering and quality teams to troubleshoot machining issues and maintain process stability for high-precision medical components.
- Maintained production records including scrap rates, machine performance, and maintenance logs to support process monitoring and continuous improvement efforts.
- Performed preventative maintenance and machine adjustments to reduce downtime and ensure consistent production performance.
- Assisted in training new machinists on equipment operation, safety procedures, and manufacturing best practices.
NPI Prototype Lead Machinist (Swiss Lathe)
Avalign Cutting Instruments
Warsaw, IN
01.2017 - 07.2019
- Led prototype machining and prove-out of new medical device components during early product development stages.
- Collaborated with design and manufacturing engineers to refine part designs for manufacturability, improving process stability and reducing material waste.
- Proved out new CNC programs and validated machining processes prior to production release.
- Worked with quality engineering teams to establish inspection methods and verify dimensional requirements on newly developed components.
- Identified process improvements during prototype builds, helping optimize tooling strategies, machining sequences, and cycle times before full production launch.
- Provided technical support to machinists and engineering teams during early production runs to ensure successful product launch.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering
Indiana Institute of Technology
Fort Wayne, IN08-2026
Associate of Science - Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering
Indiana Institute of Technology
Fort Wayne, INTechnical Certificate - CNC Machining Technology
Ivy Tech Community College
Warsaw, INB.S. - Homeland Security, Cybersecurity, Public Safety
Vincennes University
Vincennes, INSkills
Engineering Fundamentals
- Engineering Drawings
- GD&T
- Tolerance Analysis
- Manufacturing Processes
- Process Validation
- NPI Process Support
Manufacturing & Machining
- CNC Machining
- Swiss Lathe
- Vertical & Horizontal Machining
- CAT 3600 Platform Knowledge
- Tooling Optimization
- Process Sheets
Quality & Process Improvement
- Root Cause Analysis
- Lean Manufacturing
- Continuous Improvement
- Complex Spec Interpretation
- Problem Solving
Software & Systems
- SAP
- Manufacturing Execution Systems
- Microsoft Office (Excel, Minitab)
- VLOOKUP
- Pivot Tables
- Power BI
- Data Visualization/Dashboards
Professional Skills
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Technical Communication
- Troubleshooting
- Workflow Management
- Prioritization
Areas of Expertise
- Large Engine Manufacturing
- Prototype & NPI Support
- GD&T Interpretation
- Process Improvement
- Cross-Functional Engineering Collaboration
Affiliations
Member, Caterpillar Drive Team
Timeline
3600 Block Machinist
Caterpillar
02.2025 - Current
Process Engineer (Swiss/Chucker Lathe Machinist)
LH Medical
03.2024 - 02.2025
Machinist
Zimmer Biomet
07.2019 - 02.2024
NPI Prototype Lead Machinist (Swiss Lathe)
Avalign Cutting Instruments
01.2017 - 07.2019
Bachelor of Science - Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering
Indiana Institute of Technology
Associate of Science - Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering
Indiana Institute of Technology
Technical Certificate - CNC Machining Technology
Ivy Tech Community College
B.S. - Homeland Security, Cybersecurity, Public Safety
Vincennes University