Autonomy Technology Strategist

About Cat (CaterpillarCareers)

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, testing, and release of software for robotic, automated, and safety-critical machine systems, from first architecture sketch to fielded product.
• Own the path to “proven.” Drive test strategy, review and analyze results, witness tests, and guide software through validation and certification.
• Build and improve the build, integration, and release pipelines that let teams ship complex embedded and autonomy software quickly and repeatably.
• Shape operator and machine safety systems such as perception, interlocks, and safety monitoring.
• Apply sound functional safety practices so people and equipment stay protected.
• Find new technologies, including AI and machine learning, and put them to work to expand what our software portfolio can do.
• Act as the go-to advisor on integration.
• Solve the hard problems where new software meets existing machines, infrastructure, and products.
• Mentor engineers and raise the technical bar across teams.
• Uses sharp analogies to explain new or unfamiliar features.
• Coaches others on their writing and presentations.
• Leads others through re-prioritizing and rescheduling when needed.
• Keeps regular work moving while responding to change.
• Expects priorities to shift and plans for it.

Requirements

• Degree required in an accredited Engineering, Computer Science, or Materials Science curriculum.
• Communicating Complex Concepts: Reads the room and adjusts language to the audience’s experience level.
• Introduces technical terms in the context of the product, so they stick.
• Ties technical details back to the value they deliver.
• Tries a different angle when the first explanation doesn’t land.
• Knows when the audience is ready for the next layer of detail.
• Tailors documents and presentations to the people who need them.
• Balances empathy with conviction when defending a position.
• Communicates well with peers, leaders, and external partners.
• Builds agreement through sound reasoning and persuasion.
• Keeps discussions focused and productive.
• Juggles multiple diverse efforts with clarity.
• Shifts focus quickly as priorities change.
• Spots conflicts early that could threaten delivery commitments.
• Advises others on evaluating and delivering technical solutions.
• Pulls in the right experts to resolve tough issues.
• Mentors engineers to grow their skills and apply them effectively.
• Coaches teams to define, analyze, and deliver strong solutions to business problems.
• Solves technical challenges by thinking through the full implications.
• Owns their technical results and holds others to the same standard.
• Builds and directs strategic partnerships that benefit both sides.
• Makes sound decisions for the group when the options are complex or conflicting.
• Grows the strategic thinking of the people around them.
• Uses data and analysis to shape business plans.
• Recommends moves that strengthen long-term competitiveness.
• Prepares the group to respond to market trends, opportunities, and risks.
• Explains complex ideas clearly and concisely.
• Brings real depth and breadth in robotics, build systems, or safety-critical software.
• Offers timely, objective insight across multiple business areas.
• Creates opportunities for others to build their expertise.
• Backs arguments with evidence and drops the ones that lack it.
• Coaches others to become trusted technical advisors.
• Has architected and designed major or multiple products.
• Weighs architecture alternatives and explains the tradeoffs.
• Understands design considerations for embedded, real-time, database, operating system, and web environments.
• Estimates the cost of proposed designs.
• Leads design reviews and walkthroughs.
• Evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of specific designs and architectures.
• Performs hands-on work in an applied AI area such as perception, autonomy, or anomaly detection.
• Helps define business requirements for AI solution design and deployment.
• Maintains and updates AI systems and equipment.
• Deploys, develops, or operates AI products and platforms to reach business goals.
• Tests and troubleshoots AI applications and systems.

Preferred

• 10+ years’ Experience supporting platform level development projects and interfacing with internal development groups Proven experience supporting Product Development for on-road/off-road software engineering projects.
• Experience with Core Robotics Planning level development projects Experience with NVDIA hardware preferred Additional Information: This position requires the candidate to work full-time at the Irving, TX office.

Pay

Summary Pay Range: $159,120.00 - $258,570.00

• 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

• Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position.
• Relocation is available for this position.

Work arrangements and visa

• This position will require up to 10% travel #LI
• This position requires working onsite five days a week.
• Visa sponsorship is NOT available with this position.
• Visa Sponsorship is not available with this position.

Posting Dates

October 21, 2026 - November 1, 2026

Equal opportunity

• 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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