Principal Software Engineer - Java

Caterpillar Inc.; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 4,000,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Bengaluru seeks a senior software architect to lead modernization across Helios platforms, transforming legacy Java/J2EE apps to cloud-native AWS solutions and scalable microservices.

You will shape target architecture, drive POCs to production, and guide cross-functional teams through complex design decisions. You will mentor engineers, enforce coding standards, participate in architecture reviews, collaborate with DevOps for CI/CD and containerization, and advocate

Qualifications

• 10+ years of software engineering and technical leadership experience.
• Proven Java/J2EE development and scalable services delivery.
• Strong knowledge of architecture, design patterns, and OO design.
• Experience modernizing legacy apps to microservices.
• Hands-on with Spring, REST/JSON APIs, and distributed systems.
• Databases: Postgres/SQL/NoSQL; data solutions design.
• Experience with JPA/Hibernate/JDBC.
• Familiarity with JUnit and testing practices.
• Proficiency with Git and build tools (Maven).
• Experience with POCs and modernization programs.
• Ability to collaborate across global teams.
• Strong technical communication and mentoring skills.
• Experience with Docker and Kubernetes; CI/CD pipelines.
• Industrial domain experience (autonomous vehicles, mining, construction) advantageous.
• Understanding of edge-to-cloud architectures and networking basics.

Responsibilities

• Lead modernization initiatives across Helios platforms; transform legacy Java/J2EE apps to cloud-native AWS/microservices.
• Guide implementation approaches to align architecture intent and delivery.
• Define and guide target architecture patterns and design principles for modernization.
• Drive experiments and POCs to evaluate new technologies and patterns.
• Translate POCs into scalable, production-ready solutions across teams.
• Influence engineering practices, standards, and architectural decisions.
• Lead architecture and code reviews; enforce standards and best practices.
• Mentor engineers on low-level design, OO design, and modern software practices.
• Deep-dive into legacy modules to propose optimization or refactoring strategies.
• Partner with DevOps/Platform teams to enable CI/CD, containerization, and deployments.
• Identify opportunities to embed AI and automation to boost productivity and quality.

Skills

10+ years exp

Java/J2EE

Software architecture

Microservices

Spring

REST APIs

Distributed systems

Databases

JPA/Hibernate

JUnit

Git

Maven

Docker

Kubernetes

POCs

Cross-functional teams

Mentoring

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Git

Maven

Job description

Career Area:

Technology, Digital and Data

Job Description:

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you’rejoining 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’tjust 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.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to strategic modernization initiatives acrossHeliosplatforms, including transformation of legacy Java/J2EE applications to cloud-native(AWS)and scalable architectures




• Guide implementation approach for modernization initiatives, ensuring alignment between architecture intent and delivery execution




• Define and guide target architecture patterns and design principles for modernization efforts




• Drive experiments and proof-of-concepts (POCs) to evaluate new technologies, frameworks, and architectural patterns, enabling data-driven technology decisions




• Translate successful POCs into scalable, production-ready solutions and drive adoption across teams




• Influence engineering practices, standards, and architectural decisions across the broaderHeliosdevelopment community




• Lead architecture and design reviews, and code reviews, enforcing coding standards, best practices, and maintainable design patterns




• Mentor and coach engineers on low-level design, object-oriented design, and modern software engineering practices, elevating overall engineering capability




• Deep-dive into complex legacy modules, identifying constraints, and proposing optimal modernization or refactoring strategies




• Partner with DevOps and platform teams to ensure build, release, deployment readiness, and adoption of modern CI/CD and containerization practices




• Identify and drive opportunities to embed AI and automation into engineering workflows, improving developer productivity, quality, and delivery speed

Required Skills & Experience

• 10+ years of experience in software engineering, including strong hands‑on development and technical leadership experience




• Proven experience in Java/J2EE-based application development, including leading design and delivery of scalable services




• Strong expertise in software architecture, design patterns, object-oriented design, and low-level design principles




• Experience modernizing legacy enterprise applications and transitioning to microservices-based architectures




• Hands‑on experience with Spring frameworks, REST/JSON APIs, and distributed system design




• Comprehensive knowledge of database technologies, including Postgres, SQL, and NoSQL, with proven ability to design, optimize, and troubleshoot data solutions.




• Strong experience with data access technologies (JPA/Hibernate/JDBC)




• Experience with testing frameworks (e.g., JUnit) and building high-quality, testable software




• Proficiency with Git (branching, merging, tagging), Maven or equivalent build tools, and strong debugging skills




• Experience leading or contributing to POCs, innovation initiatives, or modernization programs




• Strong experience working with cross-functional and global teams, influencing without direct authority




• Excellent technical communication, mentoring, and stakeholder engagement skills




• Experience with containerization technologies (e.g., Docker) and working with DevOps/CI-CD pipelines




• Solid understanding of Kubernetes for orchestration of containerized applications




• Experience working with software systems in autonomous vehicles, mining, construction, or similar industrial domains




• Understanding of onboard (machine) and offboard (cloud/office) system architectures and their integration in distributed autonomy platforms




• Familiarity with communication protocols and networking concepts used in distributed systems (e.g., TCP/IP, messaging systems, telemetry pipelines)




• Experience designing or integrating systems involving machine-to-cloud or edge-to-cloud communication

Posting Dates:

September 16, 2026 - September 29, 2026

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