Senior Autonomy Engineer

Career Area:

 

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.

Caterpillar Inc. seeks Senior Autonomy Engineer at its facility located at 14009 N. Old Galena Road, Chillicothe, IL 61523.

Develop high quality remote control and autonomy features for complex systems that meet prioritized program requirements, with strong focus on machine safety, operator productivity, and differentiated customer value. Design, develop, validate, and integrate Remote Control Vision Systems across multiple machine models, ensuring consistent performance, reliability, and seamless integration with onboard and remote operation workflows. Meet NPI milestones for each program by delivering quality systems on time that meet agreed upon features for each milestone. Track and improve key delivery and quality metrics: total features delivered per milestone, total issues per release, direct customer issues, and timeline variance. Develop, improve, and troubleshoot remote control and autonomy software systems for remote operated and autonomous machines, with emphasis on vision pipelines, latency, stability, and quality. Own onboard system design and integration with existing machine systems, covering remote control vision and control subsystems, and autonomy subsystems of Planning, Perception, and Positioning. Apply deep computer vision and real time software engineering expertise to deliver high quality remote control vision software (e.g., video capture, encoding/decoding, transport, synchronization, overlays, and teleoperation UI/UX hooks). Work closely with Autonomy and Vision System Architects/Strategists to translate complex system and program requirements into actionable development, and to evaluate/deploy internal and external vision and autonomy algorithms. Implement validated algorithms in production quality software, emphasizing robustness, maintainability, and cross model portability. Collaborate with Component Hardware teams to select/understand autonomy and vision hardware (e.g., ECMs, sensors/cameras, encoders, domain controllers), and assure compatibility and performance across machine platforms. Utilize existing internal automation/vision frameworks and libraries and drive consistency and reuse through alignment with Architects and Strategists. Read, maintain, and extend existing software codebases to deliver updates and improvements while ensuring backward compatibility and stable integrations. Execute both new application development and modifications to existing codebases, requiring significant software craftsmanship and systems thinking. Drive a strong quality discipline via unit testing and integration with SIL, HIL, simulation, substitute machine, and actual machine testing; establish acceptance criteria specific to vision performance (e.g., FPS, bitrate, end to end latency, jitter, recoverability). Perform advanced data and systems analysis using logs, telemetry, and analytics to troubleshoot complex customer/test site issues and to continuously improve overall vision system and autonomy performance across machine models. Between 5 to 10% of domestic & international travel is required. No telecommuting allowed.

REQS: This position requires a bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology or a related field plus 5 years of experience in Electrical Engineering, Information Technology or a related occupation. Additionally, the applicant must have employment experience with: (1) Writing C & C++ SW; (2) Developing SW requirements; (3) Machine validation; (4) Remote control & Autonomy system and software for offroad machines; (5) RTOS and Linux based embedded software development; (6) Vision system design & development; and (7) Camera firmware configuration and troubleshooting.

Summary Pay Range:

$146,890.00 - $183,140.00 per year

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

 

Applicants who are interested in this position should apply via www.caterpillar.com/careers, search Senior Autonomy Engineer / R0000402884 #LI-DNI

 

 

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

 

 

 

 

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates:

October 29, 2026 - February 28, 2027

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.

Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.