Autonomy Development Engineer

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.

As an Autonomy Development Engineer, your responsibilities in software development will be focused on developing advanced technologies, semi-autonomous, and autonomous solutions for heavy equipment. You’ll collaborate with team members to prototype and bring to production solutions applying and integrating positioning, planning, perception, and controls for heavy equipment applications. Every day you will work with your team to solve real world problems by selecting the right approach, developing quick prototypes & bringing them to production. You will participate in various aspects of the development process including design, documentation, coding, product quality, and validation. To excel in this role, you must be able to write and test high quality production code and enjoy solving challenging problems.

What You Will Do:

• Develop production quality C++ software including design, documentation, coding, product quality, and validation
• Contributes to requirements generation and architecture design considerations for advanced technologies, semi-autonomous, and autonomous solutions
• Support functional safety software design and validation process
• Collaborate and mentor team members to execute on goals

What You Will Have:
Problem Solving:

• Identifies and documents specific problems and resolution alternatives.
• Helps to analyze risks and benefits of alternative approaches and obtain decisions on resolution.
• Uses fact-finding techniques and diagnostic tools to identify problems

Software Development Life Cycle:

• Identifies common issues, problems, and considerations for each phase of the life cycle.
• Interprets product development plans and functional documentation.

Programming:

• Excellency in C++
• Interprets application system designs and program specifications.
• Strong engineering practices, debugging/profiling skills.
• Experience with Continuous Integration / Continuous Delivery tools such as GitLab, GitHub Actions, or Jenkins)
• Applies structured programming techniques to structured environments.

Technical Troubleshooting:

• Discovers, analyzes, and resolves software or application problems in simulation, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and on the machine.
• Analyzes code, logs, and current systems as part of advanced troubleshooting.
• Records and reports specific technical problems, solving processes and tools that have been used.

Considerations For Top Candidates:

• Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, or PhD in an accredited Robotics, Electrical or Computer engineering or Computer Science degree
• Experience developing software for technology solutions for robotics or vehicle/machine automation / autonomy projects.
• Knowledge of robotics and frameworks such as Robot Operating System (ROS)
• Knowledge of one or more areas of planning, positioning, and/or perception along with related sensing devices.
• Experience in Mining or Construction
• Experience with embedded systems, Real-Time Controllers, or edge computing
• Knowledge of telematics based messaging and machine protocols just as network and CAN.
• Ability to survey literature for ideas and convert research papers into production implementation

Additional Information:

• This position requires the candidate to work full-time onsite at the Mossville, IL office.

• Alternative locations are Peoria Proving Grounds or Clayton, NC.  

• Relocation assistance is available for this position

• Visa sponsorship is NOT available with this position.

• This position will require up to 15% travel

• #LI

 

 

Summary Pay Range:

$97,530.00 - $158,480.00

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 19, 2026 - June 30, 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.

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