Lead Forward Deployed Robotics & Systems Engineer

Career Area:

Technology, Digital and Data

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 Summary:

Caterpillar is scaling intelligent heavy equipment — autonomy, safety systems, production and efficiency monitoring, grade and positioning, and field data collection — from early customer deployments to commercial operations across North America and around the world. The Field Engineering & Deployment team takes these edge systems from engineering release through installation, commissioning and stabilization to safe, productive operation at customer sites, on Caterpillar and other OEM machines. As the systems mature, routine installation and service will transition to the Caterpillar dealer network, with this team building the standards, training and support that make that transition succeed.

Forward Deployed Robotics & Systems Engineers are the engineers on the ground who bring these systems to life. This is a hands-on field role. You will work directly on and around large operating equipment, inspect and correct installations, use hand tools and electrical test equipment, and diagnose problems across the machine, sensors, harnesses, power, networks, embedded compute and software using C++, Python and Linux. You will work alongside Machine & Site Engineers, Deployment Technicians and dealer technicians as one field team, own the customer outcome at the site, turn what we learn into standard work dealers can execute, and create a critical feedback loop between the field and product engineering.

What You Will Do:

• Own technical readiness for complex deployments within the site readiness process run by the Field Deployment Program Manager, including accountability for site network and RTK infrastructure, resolving integration risks across machine condition, connectivity, positioning and site infrastructure.

• Provide hands-on technical direction to field engineers, Machine & Site Engineers, Deployment Technicians and dealer technicians, establishing and verifying installation standards for sensors, compute, harnesses, power, grounding, communications and machine interfaces.

• Own end-to-end technical execution of complex deployments, accountable for configuration, calibration, acceptance validation (including the data-quality check at commissioning sign-off), early-operation stabilization and site-exit readiness.

• Define deployment test strategies, acceptance criteria and operating procedures, ensuring consistent validation and complete technical records across sites.

• Establish and own the field triage methodology and support-tier model — fault-domain classification, make-safe/reproduce/isolate/repair/validate workflow and escalation paths — including a clear split of dealer-repairable, FDE-owned and engineering-owned work as dealers become Tier 1.

• Own the technical handoff gates for dealer transition — frozen kit and drawings, dealer-runnable diagnostics and field failure rate — and, with the Dealer Technical Enablement Lead (who owns the service gates), recommend handoff decisions to the Senior Manager.

• Retain technical authority for autonomy commissioning, safety validation and go/no-go decisions for autonomous operation, including at dealer-supported sites.

• Establish the field incident response plan and site safety plan template with the Product Safety counterpart, and lead technical investigation of field safety incidents.

• Develop and maintain a named SG23 deputy who can act as technical escalation lead in your absence, and support the Program Manager on on-call rotation and coverage.

• Serve as the technical escalation lead for complex electrical, networking, Linux services and performance issues at the machine, directing fault isolation and ownership across base-machine and autonomy teams.

• Lead cross-system root-cause investigations spanning cameras, radar, lidar, GNSS/RTK, CAN/J1939 networks, embedded compute, connectivity, autonomy behavior and site/operational conditions.

• Develop and review C++ and Python fixes using logs, telemetry, traces and electrical measurements; drive permanent resolutions with engineering through reproducible evidence and validated corrective actions.

• Lead onsite technical decisions under ambiguity and time pressure, aligning teams on risks and trade-offs while stopping autonomous operation whenever conditions fall outside approved safety limits.

• Lead the design and adoption of reusable diagnostic tools, automation, field test fixtures and site-configuration patterns, setting expectations for version control, code review and testing to improve deployment speed and reliability.

• Drive technical recommendations through the Field Review Board and engineering reviews, including installability, serviceability and dealer-diagnosability requirements for product design; lead deployment playbook improvements and mentor field engineers and technicians.

• Define and interpret site performance, production and readiness metrics to identify recurring issues, prioritize technical improvements and guide deployment decisions.

• Lead technical alignment with customer supervisors, operators, dealers and engineers, translating system capabilities and constraints into operating plans and guiding training for daily operation.

• Serve as lead technical authority across deployments, supporting Machine & Site Engineers as named site owners, and own the Field Review Board — translating field evidence into prioritized recommendations that influence product and engineering decisions.

What You Will Have:

• Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.

• Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.

• Customer Focus: Knowledge of the value and processes of customer focus; ability to establish and maintain positive customer relationships and deliver on customer expectations.

• Software Development: Knowledge of software development tools and activities; ability to produce software products or systems in line with product requirements.

• Software Integration Engineering: Knowledge of software integration processes and functions; ability to design, develop and maintain interfaces and linkage to alternative platforms and software packages.

• Software Product Technical Knowledge: Knowledge of technical aspects of software products; ability to design, configure and integrate technical aspects of software products.

• Software Product Testing: Knowledge of software product testing; ability to design, plan, and execute testing strategies and tactics to ensure software product quality and adherence to stated requirements.

Top Candidates Will Have:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechatronics, robotics, mechanical, computer or systems engineering, computer science, or equivalent hands-on technical experience.

• 8+ years of experience in robotics, autonomous vehicles, machine controls or industrial automation, including technical leadership of complex field deployments and hardware/software integration on physical machines.

• Extensive hands-on experience integrating, wiring and repairing electrical, sensor and robotic systems on vehicles or heavy machinery, with the credibility to set installation and troubleshooting standards for engineers, technicians and dealers.

• Advanced proficiency in C++ and Python, including writing, debugging and reviewing production robotics or autonomy code and guiding sound software engineering practices.

• Deep, hands-on Linux troubleshooting at the machine across services, networking, logs and performance, with the ability to lead complex technical escalations.

• Strong experience integrating CAN-based vehicle networks and autonomy sensors, including cameras, radar, lidar and GNSS/RTK; J1939, drive-by-wire, machine-control integration, field networking and ROS or similar robotics middleware experience preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-system root-cause investigations, distinguish base-machine faults from autonomy faults and drive issues through permanent resolution; remote diagnostics, telemetry and fleet data analysis experience preferred.

• Experience setting technical direction, mentoring engineers and technicians and establishing reusable deployment, validation and troubleshooting practices while working independently at remote sites with limited support.

• Experience scaling field support from an engineering-led model to a service or dealer network, including tiered support and escalation design, strongly preferred.

• Clear communication and cross-functional technical leadership with engineers, operators, dealers and customers, including aligning teams on technical risks, priorities and operating constraints.

• Construction, mining, quarry, agriculture, trucking or off-highway experience strongly preferred, ideally with Caterpillar or comparable machines, including an understanding of site production, cycle times and machine utilization.

• OSHA 10 or equivalent jobsite safety training preferred; MSHA Part 46/48 training preferred for mining sites. Training may be completed after hire.

Work Environment:

• Frequent travel to remote construction, quarry and mining sites and to Caterpillar dealer locations, including extended onsite stays; schedules follow site operations and may include early mornings, nights or weekends during deployments.

• Work outdoors in heat, cold, dust, mud and noise, on and around large operating mobile equipment, including climbing machines using three points of contact.

• Ability to lift and carry equipment up to approximately 50 lb, wear required PPE and follow customer and Caterpillar site safety rules, including lockout/tagout and mobile-equipment interaction procedures.

• Valid driver’s license required.

Additional Details:

• This is a remote position. You may be located anywhere in the US, but the expectation is you will travel frequently to customer and dealer locations.

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

Relocation is available for this position.Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates:

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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