High Voltage Electrical Systems Specialist - Machine Electrification

Caterpillar Inc.; Iowa (LA); On-site; USD 128,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off (vacation, holidays)

401(k) plans with matching

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Career development support

Incentive bonus

Disability benefits

Life Insurance

Parental leave

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a High Voltage Electrical Systems Specialist - Machine Electrification in Clayton, NC. You will translate system requirements into robust HV architectures and integrate power sources, drivetrains, and accessories into electrified machines.

You’ll lead design reviews, testing, risk assessments, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance. Domestic relocation and on-site work are available with travel up to 10%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, computer, automotive engineering or related field.
• Experience designing and integrating high-voltage electrical systems for electrified machines.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot, commission and validate prototype or development machines.
• Strong knowledge of safety standards and high-voltage risk assessment.
• Wiring harness design and 3D electrical architecture development across platforms.

Responsibilities

• Develop HV electrical system architectures for electrified machines.
• Design and oversee high-voltage cable and harness systems.
• Integrate power sources, drivetrains, and accessories into prototypes.
• Lead design reviews, testing, and risk assessments.
• Coordinate with suppliers and global teams on electrification best practices.
• Mentor engineers on HV systems and safety requirements.
• Capture lessons learned and communicate outcomes to stakeholders.

Skills

Electrical systems design

Cross-functional collaboration

CAN communications

System validation methods (FMEA)

Electrical safety

Real-time troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical/mechanical/automotive engineering

Tools

Creo

Creo Schematics

Visualization Mockup

Job description

Career Area:

Engineering

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.

About IDES:

Caterpillar’s Integrated Drivetrain Energy Solutions ( IDES ) Division will focus on delivering advanced electrified power trains, zero-emissions products/technologies, and the solutions and services associated with these technologies. Focus areas include batteries, fuel cells, motors, inverters, micro grid controllers, charging, energy storage systems, lifecycle solutions/services, and integration of components for ePowertrain solutions across industries.

We are looking for top talent to build and scale the next generation of technologies, products and services to help our customers build a better—more sustainable—world. We need self-motivated, intelligent and team-oriented individuals to make our plans a reality. Individuals with high emotional intelligence, humility and openness to discovery will thrive in the teams we are building.

Job Summary

The High Voltage Electrical Systems Specialist - Machine Electrification position is accountable for translating system requirements into robust high-voltage electrical system architectures and integrating power sources, drivetrain systems, and accessory components into electrified machine platforms. The role leads electrical system design, auditing, troubleshooting, commissioning, validation, and issue resolution to ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards. Additionally, this position provides technical leadership for component selection, testing, risk assessment, supplier collaboration, and knowledge sharing to support rapid electrification development initiatives.

Additional Information:

• This position is located in Clayton, NC at our Machine Development Center.
• Limited domestic and international travel (up to 10%) may be required.
• Domestic relocation assistance is offered for this position.
• Visa sponsorship is not offered for this position.
• Employees are expected to work on-site five days per week.

What You Will Do

• Develop high-voltage electrical system architectures and translate machine and system requirements into detailed electrical designs for electrified machine platforms.
• Design and oversee high-voltage cable and harness systems, including cable sizing, fusing coordination, routing, fabrication, and assembly.
• Integrate power sources, electric drivetrains, and accessory systems into prototype and testbed machines to support rapid electrification initiatives.
• Provide technical leadership for component selection, electrical design reviews, testing, risk assessments, and overall system performance validation.
• Lead electrical system commissioning, troubleshooting, validation, and issue resolution activities while ensuring compliance with applicable safety and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with suppliers, global engineering teams, and cross-functional partners to resolve technical issues and establish electrification best practices.
• Mentor engineers and technicians on high-voltage electrical systems and safety requirements while promoting a strong culture of safe work practices.
• Monitor advancements in electrification technologies and leverage new insights to enhance system designs, development processes, and engineering standards.
• Capture lessons learned, document technical findings, and communicate project outcomes and recommendations to engineering and business stakeholders.

What You Will Have:

• Experience designing, integrating, validating, and troubleshooting machine electrical systems, including electrical architectures, controls, and component integration.

• Proven ability to collaborate across cross-functional and global teams to develop common solutions, drive engineering efficiencies, and effectively resolve complex issues on prototype and development machines.

• Demonstrated knowledge of electric machine components, CAN communications, datalink network architectures, and electrical system validation methods such as FMEA.

• Experience using Creo and Visualization Mockup to develop and review electrical system designs, including auditing wiring harness routing and installations in 3D models and on-machine.

• Enthusiasm for electrification and emerging technologies, coupled with a willingness to continuously learn and adapt.

Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Expert understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision.

• Evaluates manual and electronic tools and techniques for enhancing accuracy.
• Designs techniques for measuring the cost and impact of errors.
• Discusses the value and associated costs of formal walkthroughs.
• Monitors the industry for new tools and techniques in assuring accuracy.
• Coaches others in methods of identifying and correcting errors, oversights and omissions.
• Supports and communicates the organization’s quality management process.

Analytical Thinking: Extensive knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.

• Seeks discrepancies and inconsistencies in available information; explains variances.
• Organizes and prioritizes the sequence of steps to be taken to remedy the situation.
• Identifies many possible causes for a problem based on prior experience and current research.
• Quantifies the costs, benefits, risks and chances for success before recommending a course of action.
• Approaches a complex problem by breaking it down into its component parts.
• Chooses among a diverse set of analytical tools according to the nature of the situation.

Effective Communications: Extensive experience and understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.

• Reviews others’ writing or presentations and provides feedback and coaching.
• Adapts documents and presentations for the intended audience.
• Demonstrates both empathy and assertiveness when communicating a need or defending a position.
• Communicates well downward, upward, and outward.
• Employs appropriate methods of persuasion when soliciting agreement.
• Maintains focus on the topic at hand.

Problem Solving: Expert knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations.

• Gains agreement on the problem-solving process, risk assessment, decision points, and criteria.
• Trains others in the process of eliciting alternatives and assessing their impact.
• Orchestrates the resolution of high-impact and cross-functional problems.
• Successfully organizes problem solvers and stakeholders for high-impact problems.
• Predicts and explains long-term trends and implications for alternatives.
• Monitors industry for best practices and new techniques in problem-solving.

Technical Excellence: Extensive experience and knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.

• Advices others on the assessment and provision of all technical solutions.
• Engages appropriate subject matter resources to effectively resolve technical issues.
• Mentors others to enhance their technical competence and its application to achieve more effective technical solutions.
• Coaches others in promoting, defining, analyzing, and providing superior technical solutions to business problems.
• Provides effective solutions to moderate technical challenges through strong technical competence, effectively examining implications of events and issues.
• Assumes accountability for personal technical performance and holds others responsible for theirs.

Top Candidates Will Have:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, Mechanical, Computer, Automotive, or a related engineering discipline - equivalent engineering experience will also be considered.

• Experience developing and integrating high-voltage electrical systems for electrified machines or vehicles, including machine-level integration of powertrain and accessory systems.

• Proven success in troubleshooting, commissioning, and validating prototype or development machines to identify root causes and resolve complex electrical system issues.

• Demonstrated commitment to electrical safety, including experience with high-voltage safety standards, risk assessments, system validation, and safe commissioning of prototype machines.

• Expertise in wiring harness design, Creo Schematics, and the development of common electrical architectures and component strategies across multiple machine platforms.

This position will be posted until 11:59 PM CST on 08/31/2026.

Summary Pay Range:

$128,470.00 - $192,710.00

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:

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.