Lead Robotics Engineer

Caterpillar Inc.; Irving (TX); On-site; USD 128,000 - 209,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off

401(k) savings plans

Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

Career Development

Incentive bonus

Disability benefits

Life Insurance

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Irving, TX seeks engineers to build the autonomy stack across perception, planning, control, and learning, owning components end-to-end from idea to production on hardware. They hire robotics generalists who can work across the full stack and contribute deeply in at least one domain.

We value 5-8+ years of engineering experience, production-quality C++/Python, ROS, and a track record delivering robotics products to production in real-world settings, including field autonomy.

Qualifications

• Typically, 5-8+ years of related engineering experience.
• Robotics generalist across the autonomy stack, end-to-end ownership.
• Expertise in at least one: AI, motion planning, perception, controls, or SLAM.
• C++ and Python, production-quality.
• ROS in real robotics systems.
• Full-lifecycle product experience from idea to production.
• On-site work with real machines in the field.
• Real-world / field robotics or autonomous vehicles experience.
• Learning-based control or perception, or foundation/VLA models.
• Sim and on-vehicle deployment.
• MLOps / training-infrastructure depth.

Responsibilities

• Participating in test review, analysis, witnessing, and certification of robotics software.
• Design, build, and ship autonomy components across perception, planning, control, and learning.
• Take work from prototype to production on real hardware.
• Contribute broadly across the stack while deepening your specialty.
• Work in small, outcome-owning pods.

Skills

C++ and Python

ROS

AI

motion planning

perception

controls

SLAM

MLOps

Tools

ROS (or similar)

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

Technology, Digital and Data

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.

Role Definition

We build the autonomy stack that lets large off-road machines operate themselves on real customer sites — from perception through motion to control, with modern learning-based methods and a classical robotics foundations.

We are hiring high-quality robotics generalists: engineers who can work confidently across the full stack and go deep in at least one domain. You will own real components end-to-end — from idea and prototype through to production on hardware.

Responsibilities

• Participating in the processes of test review and analysis, test witnessing and certification of robotics software.
• Design, build, and ship autonomy components across perception, planning, control, and learning.
• Take work from prototype to production on real hardware.
• Bring depth in your specialty while contributing broadly across the stack.
• Work in small, outcome-owning pods staffed from our capability benches.

Skill Descriptors

• Software Product Design/Architecture: Knowledge of software product design; ability to convert market requirements into the software product design.
• Artificial Intelligence: Knowledge of the concepts, technologies and methodologies of artificial intelligence (AI); ability to develop, implement and/or apply artificial intelligence products and services in specific industry domain to achieve business goals.
• Programming: Knowledge of relevant programming languages and tools; ability to test, write, design, debug, troubleshoot and maintain source codes and computer programs.

Top Candidates Will Have

• Typically, 5-8+ years of related engineering experience
• Strong robotics generalist — comfortable moving across the autonomy stack rather than staying in one narrow lane.
• Expertise in at least one of: AI, motion planning, perception, controls, or SLAM.
• C++ and Python, production-quality.
• ROS (or similar) in real robotics systems.
• Full-lifecycle product experience — ideally has taken robotics products from idea to production, not just research or prototypes.
• Pragmatic, first-principles engineer who owns components end-to-end and collaborates across a fast-moving delivery team.
• Excited to get out on site and see their own code operate on iron — real machines in the real world, not just in the lab.
• Real-world / field robotics or autonomous vehicles (on- or off-road).
• Learning-based control or perception, or foundation / VLA-style models.
• Sim and on-vehicle deployment.
• MLOps / training-infrastructure depth for the ML-leaning profile.

Additional Details

• This position requires the candidate to work full-time at the Irving, TX office (Dallas)
• Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position.
• Visa sponsorship is available with this position.

Summary Pay Range

$128,470.00 - $208,770.00

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

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.