Senior Autonomy Validation Engineer

About the role

Career Area: Technology, Digital and Data

About the role

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.

For Caterpillar, digital means using technology to extract data from our machines and engines and transform it into valuable recommendations or "insights," to help customers make better, more informed decisions and help Caterpillar make robust products with the lowest total ownership cost.

Our products generate and process large amounts of data from sensors, on-board models, and control algorithms in real-time creating real-world machine usage information. As part of the overall digital strategy, Caterpillar has developed an integrated family of Autonomous and semi-autonomous machines. This family of products is branded Command.

The Command product range links with other mining and business information systems and is an integral part of the Mining Technology Enabled Solutions vision.

The Senior Automation Validation Engineer position develops, tests, and troubleshoots autonomy software systems used for autonomous machines. This generally includes onboard system validation work that integrates with current machine systems and includes the autonomy sub-system areas of Planning, Perception and Positioning technologies, as well as infrastructure areas supporting development of these sub-systems (calibration, simulation, analytics, machine learning development pipelines).

What You Will Do

• The position's responsibilities include a strong quality focus on thorough test planning and execution. Thorough documentation and communication of issues is a must.
• Advanced data analysis and systems analysis efforts and skills are needed to help troubleshoot complex issues from test or customer sites, and to examine information from test sites to improve overall systems performance.
• Good communication is expected for technical status updates, test plan reviews, and when working closely with other autonomy validation engineers, support teams and product support.
• Keeping up with industry trends and new technology breakthroughs is essential and requires continuous learning through self/internet study, as well as interaction with other autonomous engineers through conferences and papers.

What You Have

• Software Product Testing: Extensive experience in software vehicle product testing; ability to design, plan, and execute testing strategies and tactics to ensure software product quality and adherence to stated requirements.
• Industry Knowledge: Knowledge of the mining technology, trends, directions, major issues, regulatory considerations, and trendsetters; ability to apply industry knowledge appropriately to diverse situations.
• Problem Solving: Knowledge of approaches, tools, and techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations.
• Software Development Life Cycle: Knowledge of software development life cycle; ability to use a structured methodology for delivering and managing new or enhanced software products to the marketplace.
• Technical Troubleshooting: Knowledge of technical troubleshooting approaches, tools and techniques; ability to anticipate, recognize, and resolve technical issues on hardware, software, application or operation.
• Education Requirement: Bachelor's degree in an accredited Engineering or Computer Science curriculum.

Top Candidates will also have

• Experience with autonomous systems and on-machine validation.
• Experience with Vector tools (CANape and CANalyzer)
• Linux operating system experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Engineers or related field.

Additional Information

• The primary location for this position is Green Valley, AZ (Tucson Proving Ground).
• Domestic relocation assistance is NOT available for this position.
• Visa sponsorship is NOT available with this position.
• This position will require up to 10% travel
• #LI

Summary Pay Range

$112,710.00 - $183,140.00

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.
• Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Posting Dates: November 11, 2026 - November 22, 2026
• Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.
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