Autonomy Engineering Specialist

Career Area:
Engineering

Job 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.

Job Description:

As an Autonomy Engineering Specialist, your responsibilities in software development will be focused on developing advanced technologies, semi-autonomous, and autonomous solutions for heavy equipment. You'll provide leadership to prototype and bring to production solutions applying and integrating positioning, planning, perception, and controls for heavy equipment applications. Every day you will work with your team to solve real world problems by selecting the right approach, developing quick prototypes & bringing them to production. You will lead various aspects of the development process including design, documentation, coding, product quality, and validation. To excel in this role, you must be able to write and test high quality production code and enjoy solving challenging problems.

What You Will Do:

• Lead and develop production quality C++ software including design, documentation, coding, product quality, and validation
• Lead requirements generation and architecture design considerations for advanced technologies, semi-autonomous, and autonomous solutions
• Support functional safety software design and validation process
• Mentor team members to execute on goals

What You Will Have:
Software Product Design/Architecture:

• Demonstrates experience with the architecture and design of major or multiple products.
• Describes major software architecture alternatives and considerations.
• Displays experience in estimating the time to develop a specific design of a proposed product.
• Facilitates design reviews and walkthroughs.
• Analyzes benefits and drawbacks of specific software designs and architecture.

Software Development Life Cycle:

• Identifies common issues, problems, and considerations for each phase of the life cycle.
• Interprets product development plans and functional documentation.

Programming:

• Excellency in C++
• Interprets application system designs and program specifications.
• Strong engineering practices, debugging/profiling skills.
• Experience with Continuous Integration / Continuous Delivery tools such as GitLab, GitHub Actions, or Jenkins)
• Applies structured programming techniques to structured environments.

Technical Troubleshooting:

• Discovers, analyzes, and resolves software or application problems in simulation, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and on the machine.
• Analyzes code, logs, and current systems as part of advanced troubleshooting.
• Records and reports specific technical problems, solving processes and tools that have been used.

Communicating Complex Concepts:

• Knowledge of effective presentation tools and techniques to ensure clear understanding; ability to use summarization and simplification techniques to explain complex technical concepts in simple, clear language appropriate to the audience.
• Perceives lack of audience comprehension; further simplifies explanation when needed.

Considerations For Top Candidates:

• Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or PhD in an accredited Robotics, Electrical or Computer engineering or Computer Science degree
• Proven experience in Robotics/AutonomoOperator Assist solution experience illustrating deep technical domain expertise
• Knowledge of robotics and frameworks such as Robot Operating System (ROS)
• Knowledge of one or more areas of planning, positioning, and/or perception along with related sensing devices.
• Experience in Mining or Construction preferred
• Experience with embedded systems, Real-Time Controllers, or edge computing
• Knowledge of telematics based messaging and machine protocols just as network and CAN.
• Ability to survey literature for ideas and convert research papers into production implementation

Additional Information:

• This position requires the candidate to work full-time onsite at the Mossville, IL office.
• Alternative locations are Peoria Proving Grounds or Clayton, NC.
• Relocation assistance is available for this position
• Visa sponsorship is NOT available with this position.
• This position will require up to 15% travel
• #LI

Summary Pay Range:

$128,470.00 - $208,770.00

Compensation 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

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Relocation is available for this position.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates:
May 18, 2026 - May 25, 2026

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.

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