Lead Data Scientist, Cat Digital
Caterpillar Inc.
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Caterpillar Inc. in Chicago, IL, is seeking a Lead Data Scientist to guide analytics projects within the Cloud Analytics Engineering team. You will apply advanced statistics and machine learning to electrification and strategic analytics initiatives, shaping solutions for customers and dealers.
Collaboration across cross-functional teams is essential. The role requires experience in Python data science, cloud platforms, and industry knowledge of heavy equipment.
Qualifications
- Knowledge of statistical tools to describe business results.
- Attention to detail and accuracy in analyses.
- Analytical thinking to determine root causes and provide solutions.
- Knowledge of machine learning and deployment of related systems.
- Proficiency in programming languages and data tooling.
- Ability to search, extract and format data from data management systems.
- Experience with requirements elicitation and analysis.
Responsibilities
- Participate on cross-functional project teams guiding technical direction.
- Demonstrate breadth/depth in applying statistical and digital methods to business problems.
- Manage 3-4 projects concurrently.
- Demonstrate knowledge of Caterpillar and its systems, processes, and external factors.
- Research and apply new methods and digital technologies to exceed customer expectations.
- Utilize data analytics software to deliver insights and solutions.
- Deepen team capability and collaborate to push technical boundaries.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
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.
Technology, Digital and Data
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.
Cat Digital is the digital and technology arm of Caterpillar Inc., leveraging the latest technologies to build industry leading digital solutions for our customers and dealers. With over 1.5 million connected assets worldwide, our teams use data, technology, advanced analytics, telematics and AI capabilities to help our customers build a better, more sustainable world.
The Cloud Analytics Engineering team within Advanced IoT Analytics is seeking a talented and motivated Lead Data Scientist to lead important projects in electrification, aftermarket analytics, and other corporately strategic analytics focus areas. The high-impact insights found through this role will shape the way that Caterpillar designs future machines & develops innovative solutions for our customers. To accomplish these daunting challenges, this role will require a skillset in advanced statistical techniques (such as machine learning) as well as domain knowledge of heavy equipment.
- Under the direction of their leader, this position will participate on cross-functional project teams, provide overall guidance to the technical direction of the project, and mentor Jr Information Scientists on the technical approaches being used in order to solve a problem presented by a Caterpillar Business Unit or Service Organization, a Caterpillar Dealer, or a Caterpillar Customer.
- Demonstrate a breadth and depth of knowledge in the application of statistical and/or digital methods to solve business problems
- Participate on 3-4 projects concurrently
- Demonstrate thorough knowledge of Caterpillar Inc.; its products and services; its internal systems, processes, and procedures; and its relevant external influences (competitors, laws and regulations, market conditions, etc.)
- Demonstrate strong initiative to research and apply new methods and digital technologies to exceed customer expectations.
- Demonstrate significant knowledge in the use of Data Analytics software solutions
- Significant challenges of this position are working with people; enhancing the team’s creativity; maintaining knowledge of approaches used in similar projects; and pushing the technical bounds of experimentation while meeting customer commitments.
- Solving the business problem presented through applied analytics.
- He or she should also have a comprehensive knowledge of Caterpillar Inc.; its products and services; its internal systems, processes, and procedures; and a general understanding of Caterpillar’s external customers, competitors, and market influencers.
- Business Statistics: Knowledge of the statistical tools, processes, and practices to describe business results in measurable scales; ability to use statistical tools and processes to assist in making business decisions.
- Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision.
- 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.
- Machine Learning: Knowledge of principles, technologies and algorithms of machine learning; ability to develop, implement and deliver related systems, products and services.
- Programming Languages: Knowledge of basic concepts and capabilities of programming; ability to use tools, techniques and platforms in order to write and modify programming languages.
- Query and Database Access Tools: Knowledge of data management systems; ability to use, support and access facilities for searching, extracting and formatting data for further use.
- Requirements Analysis: Knowledge of tools, methods, and techniques of requirement analysis; ability to elicit, analyze and record required business functionality and non-functionality requirements to ensure the success of a system or software development project.
- Time-series forecasting & modeling — building and validating multi-horizon (13–18 month) demand forecasts with SARIMAX, gradient/ElasticNet, and ensemble/foundation models, including backtesting, lag-correlation analysis, and MAPE-based model selection.
- Large-scale data wrangling — efficiently profiling, cleaning, and joining messy multi-source data (500MB+ feeds, 70+ columns, free-text fields) using chunked/memory-aware pandas and reproducible ETL pipelines.
- Signal fusion & feature engineering — translating external and internal signals (Dodge projects, telematics/VisionLink, STU, CUPA, PINS) into leading indicators at market-region and dealer granularity.
- Domain-driven classification & rules design — encoding business logic into transparent, tunable models (keyword + facility-propensity scoring, exclusion rules, value tiers) to segment megaprojects and flag opportunities the business trusts.
- Communication & visualization — producing decision-ready outputs (branded dark-theme charts, geospatial heatmaps, narrative summaries) and grounding analysis in S&OP domain knowledge to drive forecast-improvement decisions.
- Extensive experience utilizing quantitative analysis
- Must be comfortable working in industry standard statistics and data visualization packages.
- Experience in design / development of heavy equipment (ex. automotive, aerospace, engine, transmission, construction, mining, industrial, etc)
- Extensive experience applying python (NumPy, SciPy, pandas, etc) programming to solve business challenges
- Experience with cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, etc)
- Experience working in a software development environment using GIT, SVN, AZDO, Clearcase, etc
- Bachelors, Masters, or PhD degree that can include Aerospace, Applied Statistics, Business Analytics, Business Intelligence & Analytics, Computer Science, Computer Science, Engineering (various), Informatics, Information Systems Management, Mathematics
$128,470.00 - $208,770.00
- 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
Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
August 11, 2026 - August 21, 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.
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