Autonomy Project Team Lead

Caterpillar Inc.; Chennai District; On-site; INR 3,000,000 - 5,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Chennai, India, seeks an experienced Autonomy Project Team Lead to drive disciplined project execution and delivery of high-quality autonomy solutions for mining technologies.

You will own work planning, lead the autonomy project team, collaborate with global architects, software, systems, and operations, and strengthen DevOps, validation, and governance to improve predictability and outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level engineering degree or equivalent in a related field.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in autonomy, embedded software, robotics, mining or industrial automation.
• Experience leading complex autonomy projects with cross-functional teams.
• Experience coordinating system and vehicle validation across test environments.

Responsibilities

• Own work planning, backlog execution, dependency management, and delivery tracking through Azure DevOps.
• Lead the autonomy project team, remove roadblocks, and align to scope, schedule, quality, and priorities.
• Collaborate with architects, software, systems, test, product, and operations teams to enable integrated delivery.
• Drive DevOps, CI/CD, traceability, defect prevention, and continuous improvement practices.
• Identify project risks and mitigation plans; establish escalation paths and governance.

Skills

Autonomy Leadership

Project Management

Cross-functional collaboration

Stakeholder communication

Education

B.E./B.Tech./M.E./M.Tech in Engineering or Computer Science

Tools

Azure DevOps

Agile delivery

Backlog management

Dashboards

CI/CD

Release coordination

Job description

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.

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. Caterpillar’s Autonomous Mining Technologies is seeking an experienced Autonomy Project Team Lead to drive disciplined project execution and delivery of high-quality autonomy solutions. This role will streamline team workflows, strengthen DevOps and quality practices, coordinate validation, and build an effective, collaborative team.

• Own work planning, backlog execution, dependency management, and delivery tracking through Azure DevOps.
• Lead the autonomy project team, remove roadblocks, and maintain alignment to scope, schedule, quality, and business priorities.
• Work with global teams, streamline workflows, governance, reviews, metrics, and reporting to improve predictability and execution efficiency.
• Coordinate L4/L6 validation planning, readiness, resources, issue closure, and objective evidence across stakeholders.
• Drive DevOps, CI/CD, traceability, defect prevention, and continuous improvement practices.
• Identify project risks and process gaps; establish mitigation, contingency, and escalation plans.
• Collaborate with architects, software, systems, test, product, and operations teams to enable integrated delivery.
• Support troubleshooting of automation and process-control issues by identifying critical parameters, variables, and hazards.
• Ensure automation solutions are designed, commissioned, maintained, and validated for reliable industrial operation.
• Provide clear status communication to stakeholders, leadership, and partner organizations on deliverables with required information radiators setup.
• Mentor, coach, build, scale and develop team members to attain deadlines, while fostering accountability, inclusion, and build strong innovation culture.

Experience:- B.E / B. Tech / M.E / M. Tech in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline with 10+ years of relevant experience.

• Experience leading complex autonomy, embedded software, robotics, mining, or industrial automation projects.
• Strong project management capability, including estimation, planning, staffing, monitoring, risk management, and reviews.
• Hands-on experience with Azure DevOps, Agile delivery, backlog management, dashboards, and release coordination.
• Working knowledge of DevOps, software quality, process compliance, configuration management, and CI/CD practices.
• Experience coordinating system and vehicle validation, preferably across L4/L6 test environments.
• Ability to contribute to operational, tactical, and strategic plans and adapt execution when priorities change.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with the ability to influence across teams and leadership levels.
• Demonstrated cross-team integration, stakeholder relationship management, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Proven people leadership with a strong focus on coaching, team building, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Posting Dates: September 25, 2026 - October 8, 2026

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply