C

Caterpillar

Makes heavy machinery, engines and gas turbines

Autonomy Software Development Engineer

Full-TimePosted on 9/17/2026Deadline 10/9/26
$89.2k - $145k+ Incentive bonus
Mid
Bachelor's, Master's, PhD
Mossville, IL, USA
In PersonOn-site five days a week; domestic relocation assistance is available.
No H1B Sponsorship

About the job

Requirements
  • Knowledge of approaches, tools, and techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational, or process problems, and the ability to apply problem-solving knowledge to diverse situations.
  • Ability to execute projects and optimize development strategies using a large repository of data.
  • Knowledge of the software development life cycle and ability to use a structured methodology to deliver and manage new or enhanced software products.
  • Strong understanding of software engineering principles.
  • Knowledge of relevant programming languages and tools, and ability to test, write, design, debug, troubleshoot, and maintain source code and computer programs.
Responsibilities
  • Participate in design, documentation, coding, product quality, and validation throughout the development process.
  • Develop production-quality C++ software.
  • Support requirements generation and architecture decisions and tradeoffs.
  • Support the functional safety software design and validation process.
  • Collaborate with team members to execute on goals.
Desired Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or PhD in Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related degree.
  • Skill in programming in C++.
  • Familiarity with core robotics principles.
  • A strong foundation in mathematics and engineering fundamentals.

About the company

Caterpillar makes construction and mining machines, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and locomotives for contractors, mines, energy companies and data center builders. It is the world's largest maker of construction and mining equipment, and its yellow Cat bulldozers and excavators work in nearly every country. Customers buy or rent machines through independent Cat dealers, while its engines and turbines generate electricity and push natural gas through pipelines. Caterpillar earns money from equipment sales and from the parts and repairs that dealers supply over a machine's working life. It was formed in 1925 when California's Holt and Best tractor companies merged, and it is based in Irving, Texas.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Irving, Texas

Founded

1925

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Data centers drive growth: power generation sales jumped 72% in the June 2026 quarter on demand for generators and turbines.
  • Factory hiring is growing: a $1 billion North Carolina plant, announced September 2026, is expected to create 1,950 jobs.
  • Recurring service work adds stability: parts and service brought in $24 billion in 2025, over a third of sales.

What critics are saying

  • Tariffs keep getting costlier: in August 2026, Caterpillar forecast $2.2 billion of 2026 tariff costs, up from 2025's $1.8 billion.
  • Patent fight threatens imports: in December 2025, rival Bobcat asked US trade regulators to ban some Cat loaders and excavators.
  • Expect five office days a week: since June 2025, US office staff must come in daily, and attendance affects reviews.

What makes Caterpillar unique

  • Power, not bulldozers, is its biggest business: engines and turbines brought in $28.6 billion in 2025, topping construction's $25.1 billion.
  • It runs its own lender: Cat Financial's overdue loans fell to 1.31% in June 2026, the lowest since 1998.
  • It also makes gas turbines: San Diego-based Solar Turbines builds 1 to 39 megawatt units for pipelines and power.

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Benefits

Annual incentive bonus plan

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holiday, Volunteer, Etc.)

401k savings plan

Health savings account (HSA)

Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)

Disability benefits

Life Insurance

Parental leave

Healthy Lifestyle Programs

Employee Assistance Programs

Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts

Tuition Reimbursement

Career Development

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

↑ 2%

1 year growth

↑ 2%

2 year growth

↑ 2%
Yahoo Finance
Oct 10th, 2026
Caterpillar hits record $20B quarter while Corning targets $40B by 2030

Investors weighing Caterpillar against Corning are choosing between industrial infrastructure and technological innovation. Caterpillar, a construction and mining equipment manufacturer, generated $67.6 billion in revenue in FY 2025, up 4.3%, though net income fell to $8.9 billion from $10.8 billion the previous year. Corning, a materials science company supplying optical communications and display technologies, posted stronger growth. Its FY 2025 revenue reached $15.6 billion, up 19.1%, whilst net income surged to $1.6 billion from $506 million. The company secured a multi-billion-dollar supply agreement with AT&T extending through 2030. Caterpillar trades at a forward P/E of 30.0x versus Corning's 49.7x, reflecting Corning's faster growth trajectory. Corning's optical communications business grew over 30% year-over-year, driven by AI data centre demand, with ambitious revenue targets of $20 billion by end-2026 and $40 billion by 2030. Despite Caterpillar's record backlog and reliable dividend, Corning's AI infrastructure exposure offers more compelling growth potential for patient investors.

Yahoo Finance
Oct 6th, 2026
Cramer suggests Caterpillar buyback opportunity after 24% Q3 pullback on data center power demand

Jim Cramer identified Caterpillar as a potential buying opportunity after the stock fell 24% in the third quarter. He highlighted the company's growing role in supplying power for data centres as a key growth driver. Caterpillar secured a 2-gigawatt natural gas generator order from American Intelligence & Power in January for its Monarch Compute Campus, with deliveries scheduled from September 2026 through August 2027. Second-quarter sales rose 24% year-over-year to approximately $20.5 billion, whilst adjusted profit per share increased to $8.17 from $4.72. The company faces approximately $2.2 billion in full-year tariff costs. Caterpillar trades at roughly 29 times forward earnings, compared with 16 times for competitor Cummins. Hedge fund ownership declined slightly from 87 funds in Q1 to 84 in Q2.

Yahoo Finance
Oct 1st, 2026
Caterpillar and Waste Management offer reliable dividends with 32 and 23 years of consecutive increases

Caterpillar and Waste Management are highlighted as strong dividend-paying industrial stocks for reliable income. Caterpillar reported Q2 revenue of $20.5 billion, up 24% year-over-year, with earnings of $7.77 per share. The company returned $2.2 billion to shareholders, including $700 million in dividends. Its stock is up 43% this year, yielding 0.8% with a $6.52 per share dividend that has increased for 32 consecutive years. Waste Management posted Q2 revenue of $6.68 billion, up from $6.43 billion previously, with net income of $785 million. The company returned $1.04 billion to shareholders, including $379 million in dividends. Despite being down 6% this year, its dividend yield stands at 1.8% with a $3.78 per share payout, marking 23 consecutive years of increases.

Yahoo Finance
Sep 30th, 2026
Bank of America backs Caterpillar as AI labs scramble for power with 283 MW order boost

Bank of America has maintained its buy rating and $989 price target for Caterpillar after the industrial equipment maker secured 283 megawatts in AI-backed orders. The company has become an unexpected beneficiary of the artificial intelligence boom, as data centres require massive amounts of electricity and power equipment. Caterpillar posted its first quarter above $20 billion in sales during Q2, up 24% to $20.5 billion. Power generation retail sales surged 72% on demand for large generator sets and turbines for data centres. The company's backlog reached $72 billion, with power and energy customers placing orders through 2030. The latest catalyst came from Atlas Energy Solutions, which announced agreements with an unnamed frontier AI lab for two data centres using Caterpillar equipment.

Yahoo Finance
Sep 30th, 2026
Caterpillar to invest $1B in North Carolina plant for compact construction equipment

Caterpillar announced plans to invest approximately $1 billion in a new manufacturing facility in Sanford, North Carolina, dedicated to producing compact track loaders and telehandlers. The expansion supports the company's Cat Compact strategy, targeting small contractors and growing businesses across construction, landscaping, agriculture, and material handling sectors. The facility will incorporate automation, robotics, and digital production systems. Caterpillar will not expand headcount but instead prepare its existing 2,000-person Sanford workforce for technologically advanced roles. Local officials approved incentives totalling up to $85.5 million. Lee County authorised tax rebates worth up to $46 million, whilst Sanford City Council approved $39.5 million. Full incentives require Caterpillar to meet the $1 billion investment threshold and maintain at least 1,950 positions averaging roughly $65,500 annually. Caterpillar reported 2025 sales of $67.6 billion.

INACTIVE