Chief Engineer - Technology

Caterpillar Inc.; Clayton (NC); On-site; USD 159,000 - 239,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) savings plan

Paid time off

Health Savings Account

Tuition Reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Employee discounts

Career development

Incentive bonus

Disability benefits

Life Insurance

Parental leave

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in NC Clayton seeks an experienced engineer to drive system-level solutions for machine platforms, autonomy, and AI-enabled products. You will collaborate with technology teams and suppliers to shape both near-term and long-term customer solutions.

The role requires an accredited Engineering or Computer Science degree, with senior-level expertise in onboard software, electrical development, and validation. Domestic travel and onsite presence are expected.

Qualifications

• Requires a degree in an accredited Engineering or Computer Science curriculum.
• Strong understanding of onboard software, control systems, and electrical development.
• Familiarity with autonomy, validation methods, and machine performance.
• Experience collaborating across multi-department teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop understanding of customer applications, business models, and opportunities in the BCP lineup.
• Collaborate with technology teams and suppliers to shape near-term and long-term solutions.
• Provide technical leadership for supplier capabilities and cross-divisional projects.
• Lead resolution of complex problems across departments.
• Contribute to requirements for next-generation machine platforms and autonomy systems.
• Apply AI insights to product development and validation, and customer workflows.

Skills

Communication

Technical Excellence

Artificial Intelligence

Product & Construction Apps

Influencing via Expertise

Customer-Driven

Planning & Execution

Education

Engineering or Computer Science degree

Masters in Engineering or MBA

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

Engineering

What You'll Do (Job Duties)

• Develop a deep understanding of customer applications, business models, problems and opportunities across the BCP model lineup.
• Leverage close working relationships with other technology, machine business units and service providers across the enterprise to shape near-term and long-term solutions for our customers.
• Provide technical leadership in the capabilities of the supply base in the technology area, including both established supplier relationships, and emerging system and component suppliers
• Lead the resolution of complex problems requiring multi-departmental or cross-divisional collaboration
• Provide technical leadership in the development of the requirements for next-generation machine electrical and software platforms, remote operation, safety assist and autonomous systems
• Utilize an understanding of AI and its impact to both product development and validation and the methods customers use to perform their work, including how customers in adjacent industries are deploying the technology
• Take a leading role to stay abreast of the regulatory environment related to assist and automation systems for machinery and the verification and validation methods used in the off-highway and adjacent industries.

What You Have (Core Skills)

• Communication The ability to develop close working relationships with customers, enterprise partners and effective business relationships with suppliers. Excellence in translating customer needs and complex technical topics into strategies and proposals.
• Technical Excellence: Knowledge of onboard software & control systems, primary machine systems driving performance characteristics, electrical system development and connectivity. Understanding of autonomy systems, development and validation methods, industry and enterprise system capabilities.
• Artificial Intelligence: Knowledge of the concepts, technologies and methodologies of artificial intelligence (AI) especially as it relates to product, system and software development and validation.
• Product and Construction Applications: Knowledge of construction and/or mining machines, their usage and the applications in which they operate. Knowledge of multiple products and multiple machine systems and performance characteristics.
• Influencing through Expertise: Knowledge of product and process development across component, system, product, manufacturing and the supply base. Ability to communicate complex ideas and concepts in a clear and concise manner so that others can understand. Can provide relevant, timely and objective subject matter/process expertise and key insights regarding multiple client business areas and affiliated fields. Can provide others with information, opportunities, or resources to develop their skills in the area of expertise.
• Customer-Driven: Knowledge of the values and practices that align customer needs and satisfaction as primary considerations in all business decisions and ability to leverage that information in creating customer solutions. Anticipates customer needs, focusing efforts to proactively meet needs and exceed customer expectations. Facilitates creation of the 'right' products and services to resolve customer business issues.
• Planning & Execution: Ability to develop, refine, and communicate tactical and strategic plans. Ensure attention to the detail and dependencies of existing departmental-level plans. Consults on the full spectrum of product and service groups. Leads evaluations of the history, evolution, and future plans of product or service lines.

Requires a degree in an accredited Engineering or Computer Science curriculum.

Top Candidates Will Also Have

• Demonstrated skills to provide technical mentorship and skills development of colleagues within and outside the team
• Relationship Management: Knowledge of relationship management techniques; ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with clients, vendors, and peers.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver technical products and services from concept to customer, including the resolution of customer improvements after delivery
• A Masters Degree in Engineering or Business Administration

Additional Details

• Chief Engineer
• Work location: NC-Clayton-Machine Development Center
• Domestic relocation assistance IS available for this role
• ISE assignment IS NOT available for this role
• Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position
• Travel: 25-40% domestic and international
• This position requires 5 days per week in the office (M-F) .
• Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.

Summary Pay Range

$159,120.00 - $238,680.00

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

September 30, 2026 - October 23, 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.