Principal Data Architect - Physical AI & Data Platform

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.

Help Build the Future of Caterpillar –

At Caterpillar, technology always has a purpose, which is to solve our customers’ toughest challenges. Through Cat Technology, we are solving problems by building the intelligence layer that connects machines, data, and people to make jobsites safer, more productive, and more sustainable. By combining deep domain expertise in physical systems with software, connectivity, autonomy, and AI, we deliver solutions that work in the real world—on real jobsites, at global scale.

You’ll build and deploy against one of the most unique data foundations—over 1.6 million connected assets generating real-world data daily.  These data and platform capabilities are enabling the development of AI models, edge computing architectures, and software systems that scale across fleets, products, and industries. The result will be a new generation of machines that continuously learn, improve, and deliver performance at scale.

Be Part of What’s Next in Autonomous Construction Sites

Construction autonomy is one of the most complex challenges in applied AI, and at Caterpillar, advancements in physical AI, simulation, sensing, and edge computing are turning things that once felt impossible—intelligent machines operating in dynamic jobsites—into reality.

Our connected ecosystem brings together massive volumes of high-quality data to create a foundation where engineers like you can build and deploy against.

If this work motivates you, we invite you to join our team. In these roles, you’ll work at the intersection of the physical and digital worlds. You’ll help design and deliver intelligent systems that enable machines to perceive their environment, make informed decisions, and support safer, more productive operations.

Apply today to build the new era of construction autonomy at Caterpillar. 

Job Summary:
The Principal Data Architect for Physical AI Data Platform is responsible for defining the enterprise-wide architecture that supports streaming, batch, event-driven, analytics, and Physical AI workloads. This role establishes scalable patterns for data ingestion, curation, storage, governance, and lifecycle management to ensure a resilient, observable, secure, and high-performing data ecosystem. The architect partners closely with engineering, cloud, and business teams to align technology capabilities with enterprise data and Physical AI objectives.

Bottom line, you are creating the data foundation that enables AI innovation at scale.  

What You Will Do:

• Developing detailed architecture deliverables to solve business problems.
• Designing an application's technical infrastructure, such as specific databases, programming languages, utilities, and testing approaches.
• Defines patterns for data ingestion, transformation, storage, and lifecycle management to ensure a resilient, observable, and high-performing data ecosystem for Physical AI workloads.
• Develop platform guardrails for observability, performance monitoring, resilience, security, retention, and disaster recovery.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend platform strategies to support future business and Physical AI needs.

What You Will Have:

• Data Architecture: Knowledge of processes, techniques and factors that affect data architecture; ability to design blueprints on how to integrate data resources for business processes and functional support.
• Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.
• Platform Architecture: Knowledge of technologies and methods to design processing mechanisms and roadmaps to execute business application systems; ability to design these roadmaps and deploy supportive interfaces for end-users to access related systems, in accordance with standards and processes.
• Requirements Analysis: Knowledge of tools, methods, and techniques of requirement analysis; ability to elicit, analyze and record required business functionality and non-functionality requirements to ensure the success of a system or software development project.
• Target Architecture: Knowledge of target architecture; ability to develop the IT blueprint and roadmap while aligning the architecture and processes with business strategies and objectives roadmap while aligning the architecture and processes with business strategies and objectives

Top Candidates Will Have:

• Data Architecture & Domain Modeling --  Demonstrated ability to define enterprise data domains, canonical data models, data contracts, metadata strategies, and scalable architectures that support complex AI and autonomy ecosystems.
• AI & Machine Learning Data Foundations -- Deep understanding of the data requirements for AI model development, including training data, fine-tuning datasets, feature engineering, vector data, model evaluation data, synthetic data, and data pipelines that support the AI lifecycle.
• Data Platforms & Data Products -- Experience designing modern cloud and on-premise data platforms and data products architectures for massive data volumes and events, including streaming data, telemetry platforms, APIs, self-service data capabilities, and reusable data assets that accelerate engineering and data science teams.
• Physical AI & Industrial Data Ecosystems  -- Knowledge of machine telemetry, sensor data, digital twins, simulation data, edge-to-cloud architectures, and the unique challenges associated with autonomous systems and real-world operational data.
• Strategic Architecture Leadership -- Ability to influence senior leaders, define architectural roadmaps, establish standards and patterns, govern technology decisions, and provide technical direction across multiple engineering organizations without direct authority.
• Progressive career in software engineering and architecture with a focus on data (typically 12years+)
• Strong understanding of Agile SDLC implementation in public cloud eco-system including environments management, test automation, peer review, CI/CD, resource optimization, etc.
• Excellent communication skills and be able to deal with sensitive issues, mentor and coach and/or persuade others on new technologies, new applications, or potential solutions.

Additional Details:

• This position requires the candidate to work full-time at the Irving, TX office (Dallas)
• Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position.
• Visa sponsorship is available with this position.

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

This position requires working onsite five days a week.Relocation is available for this position.Visa sponsorship is available for eligible applicants.

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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