Senior Autonomy Project Team Lead

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.

This exciting opportunity will place you in a crucial role in Caterpillar’s delivery of Autonomous Solutions to our customers in the construction industries. This position is for a Senior Autonomy Project Team Lead serving as the L8 Validation Lead within the Cat Technology - Autonomy - System Integration & Validation division. This individual will provide Validation Leadership for the next generation of AI-powered autonomous solutions aimed at solving our customers toughest challenges. This role includes the opportunity to provide internally facing team leadership to our globally based integration & validation team members – as well as serving as a key point of contact with internal partner development teams.

The individual will deliver new levels of development & validation efficiency, set the system integration & validation strategy, lead team members, and represent the Product Quality swim lane for the associated NPI programs. Outstanding technical, coordination, and communication skills are a must for this position.

What You Will Do:

• Champion Product Quality for all Construction Autonomy NPI programs
• Drive Efficiency initiatives to reduce reliance on machines for Development and Validation efforts – specifically in the areas of AI-based product validation, virtual product development (VPD) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL).
• Lead NPI Product Quality swim lane activities including Validation planning and status reporting.
• Manage priorities for integration & validation team members – from setting major release strategy down to day-to-day coordination in daily huddles.
• Lead coordination of Defect / Issue management.
• Lead a culture of continuous improvement through issue retrospectives.

What You Have:

• Planning: Tactical, Strategic: Knowledge of effective planning techniques and ability to contribute to operational (short term), tactical (1-2 years) and strategic (3-5 years) planning in support of the overall business plan.
  • Expertise in developing multiyear strategic-level validation initiatives.
  • Knowledge of annual budget planning cycle processes
• Effective Communications:
  • Expertise in presenting concise status summaries to cross functional New Product Introduction (NPI) teams and director/executive level stakeholders.
• Cross-Team Integration:
  • Expertise in leading regular team forums focused on project plan management, issue triage and management, and technical evaluation of validation techniques.
• Project Management:
  • Expertise in developing and managing project management plans.
  • Expertise in challenging teams to pressure test schedule durations in plan development.
• Software Development Life Cycle:
  • Knowledge of Agile software development methodologies and practices.
  • Expertise with complex software applications within system of system level products
• Education requirement: Requires a degree in an accredited Electrical, Computer, or Mechanical Engineering; or Computer Science curriculum.

Consideration for Top Candidates:

• Experience supporting projects in Heavy Equipment (Automotive, Manufacturing, Robotics, etc.)
• Prior validation or testing experience of Engineering Product Development Required
• Prior experience with hands-on testing of HIL equipment
• Exposure to AI in Engineering preferred (GenAI)

Additional Information:

• This position requires the candidate to work full-time at the Mossville, IL or Irving, TX office.
• Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position.
• Visa sponsorship is NOT available with this position.
• This position will require up to 20% travel
• #LI

Summary Pay Range:

$147,760.00 - $240,110.00

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:

June 15, 2026 - June 28, 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.

Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.