L6E Software and Technology Validation Engineer

Caterpillar; Washington (IL); On-site; USD 148,000 - 222,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision

401(k)

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Career Development

Incentive bonus

Parental leave

Tuition Reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Caterpillar is seeking an L6E Sr. Software and Technology Validation Engineer to lead validation for Earthmoving products. You will guide software, controls, and system validation across teams and suppliers, ensuring quality, performance, and reliability in next‑gen machines.

You will develop risk-based strategies, execute SIL/HIL testing and automate validation processes, while mentoring engineers and coordinating priorities and resources. Office-based role with relocation support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, CS, or Materials Science from an accredited university.
• Experience in software, controls, or integrated machine technology development and validation.
• Experience in two or more validation areas: embedded software, SIL/HIL, machine integration, test automation, requirements-based validation, data analysis.
• Ability to communicate validation results and risks across cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for software and technology validation across Earthmoving products, working with software, controls, and product development teams, as well as suppliers.
• Develop risk-based validation strategies, test plans, and acceptance criteria translating requirements into test coverage at component, subsystem, and machine levels.
• Lead validation execution using SIL, HIL, simulation, bench, and machine testing with functional, integration, regression, and performance tests.
• Drive issue investigation and root cause analysis and verify corrective actions with development teams.

Skills

Planning

Analytical Thinking

Decision Making

Effective Communications

Technical Excellence

Project Management

Product Testing

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/CS/Materials Science

Tools

Embedded software validation

SIL/HIL testing

Machine integration

Test automation

CI/CD workflows

Job description

Career Area: Engineering

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.

If you like being on the forefront of product development and improvement, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join the team as an L6E Sr. Software and Technology Validation Engineer! Caterpillar enjoys the strongest reputation in the industry, and, in this critical role, you will help to continue this tradition by leveraging your technical understanding of embedded software, machine systems, and integrated technologies to validate the next generation of Earthmoving products. You will provide technical leadership for validation planning and execution, collaborating with product development teams to deliver software and technology solutions that meet requirements for quality, performance, reliability, and customer experience.

As the L6E Software and Technology Validation Engineer you can expect to:

• Provide technical leadership for software and technology validation across Earthmoving products, working with software, controls, systems, and product development teams, as well as internal and external suppliers.
• Develop risk-based validation strategies, test plans, and acceptance criteria that translate system and software requirements into measurable test coverage at the component, subsystem, and machine levels.
• Lead validation execution using simulation, software-in-the-loop (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), bench, and machine testing, including functional, integration, regression, and performance testing.
• Collaborate in requirements and design reviews, identify validation gaps and technical risks, and maintain traceability between requirements, test cases, defects, and validation results.
• Drive issue investigation and root cause analysis by reproducing failures, analyzing software and machine data, and partnering with development teams to verify corrective actions.
• Improve validation efficiency and repeatability through automated testing, reusable test methods, data analysis, and integration with software build and release workflows.
• Coordinate validation priorities, schedules, and resources; communicate test coverage, results, unresolved risks, and release readiness; and mentor engineers in validation methods and technical problem-solving.
• Collaborate with product group machine L6 validation engineers to leverage validation and early learning across EMD and outside of EMD
• Provide regular leadership updates on validation status and progress

The successful candidate must bring (Basic Qualifications):

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in an Engineering, Computer Science, or Materials Science curriculum
• Extensive experience, including software, controls, or integrated machine technology development and validation.
• Experience in two or more of the following software and technology validation areas:
  • Embedded software and electronic controls validation
  • SIL, HIL, or simulation-based testing
  • Machine-level technology integration and system validation
  • Test automation, scripting, and regression testing
  • Requirements-based test development and validation traceability
  • Software and system troubleshooting, data analysis, and root cause investigation
• Technical and functional understanding of machine systems, embedded controls, and software interfaces, with the ability to communicate validation results and technical risks across cross-functional teams.

What you have (Core skills)

• Planning: Tactical, Strategic: Knowledge of effective planning techniques and ability to contribute to operational (short term), tactical (1-2 years) and strategic (3-5 years) planning in support of the overall business plan..
• Analytical Thinking: 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.
• Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
• Effective Communications: 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 communicationbehaviors.
• Technical Excellence: Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.
• Project Management: Knowledge of effective project management strategies and tactics; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control projects, ensuring efficient utilization of technical and administrative resources to achieve project objectives.
• Product Testing: Knowledge of product testing approaches, techniques and tools; ability to design, plan and execute testing strategies and tactics to ensure product quality at all stages of manufacturing.
• Troubleshooting Technical Problems: Knowledge of troubleshooting approaches, tools and techniques; ability to anticipate, detect and resolve technical problems in a manufacturing or product development environment.

Top candidates will also have:

• Experience leading cross-functional software or technology validation projects, including test strategy, execution planning, and release readiness assessments.
• Experience developing automated tests using Python, MATLAB/Simulink, or similar tools, and integrating tests into continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) workflows.
• Experience with machine communication networks such as CAN and J1939, diagnostic tools, data acquisition, and software configuration and defect management tools.
• Experience in machine / vehicle development in design or validation functions, including integrated technologies such as operator assistance, automation, connectivity, or electrification.

• Experience with Earthmoving products.

Additional Details:

• Relocation assistance is available for this position.
• Sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Travel: 10% domestic and international
• This position requires 5 days per week in the office (M-F)

Summary Pay Range:

$147,760.00 - $221,640.00

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.

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.