Lead Software Engineer - Search

Socket.dev; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 128,470 - 208,770; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off

401(k)

Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

Career Development

Incentive bonus

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Lead Software Engineer – Ecommerce Search to shape the technical direction of our search platform and lead a team of engineers.

You will implement scalable, high‑performance search solutions and drive advanced capabilities to improve user relevance and experience. This role requires deep expertise in ecommerce search, distributed systems, and cloud deployments, with strong leadership and collaboration across product and data science teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in search engineering.
• 3+ years in a technical leadership role.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement a long-term technical vision for the search platform.
• Mentor and guide a team of search engineers through reviews and best practices.
• Introduce advanced capabilities to enhance relevance and accuracy (NLP, vector search, personalization).
• Build search capabilities with KPIs and leverage analytics to improve performance.
• Collaborate with product managers, data scientists, and engineering teams.

Skills

Technical strategy

Team leadership

NLP

Vector search

Data analytics

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in CS or related

Tools

OpenSearch

Elastic Search

SOLR

Lucene

Coveo

LucidWorks Fusion

Job description

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.

Job Description:

The Cat Digital group is the digital and technology arm of Caterpillar Inc., responsible for bringing world class capabilities to our products and services. With over 1.5 million connected assets worldwide, we're focused on using data, advanced analytics, and AI capabilities to help our customers build a better world.

Job Summary:

eCommerce is a key digital enabler to Caterpillar’s aftermarket parts and services growth strategy. Delivering on the Caterpillar brand promise of premium, high-quality solutions is an important element in accelerating the development and deployment of Caterpillar’s expanded capabilities in eCommerce. The Lead Software engineer – Ecommerce Search is responsible for setting the technical direction and overseeing the execution of advanced search solutions. This role combines strategic vision, hands‑on technical expertise, and leadership to build scalable, high‑performance search platforms that deliver exceptional user experiences.

What You Will Do:

• Technical Strategy: Define and implement a long-term technical vision for the search platform to ensure scalability and adaptability to growing data volumes and query complexity.


• Team Leadership: Mentor and guide a team of search engineers through technical reviews, best practices, and collaborative problem‑solving.


• Feature Development: Introduce advanced capabilities such as NLP, vector search, and personalization to enhance relevance and accuracy.


• Data Analysis & Optimization: Build search capabilities with measurable KPIs (e.g., CTR, Query Distribution, Zero Search) and leverage analytics to continuously improve search performance.


• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with product managers, data scientists, and engineering teams to align search initiatives with business objectives

Considerations For Top Candidates:

• Progressively complex professional experience.


• Experience as a lead software engineer, Architect , engineering manager.


• Experience leading technical teams and managing multiple projects simultaneously.


• Experience working within ITSM processes (incident, change, problem).


• Strong communication, organization, and stakeholder management skills.


• Ability to handle sensitive, complex, or high‑visibility issues.


• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.

Technical Expertise Required For The Role

• Experience in eCommerce Search deployments.


• Previous experience with Search products such as OpenSearch, Elastic Search, SOLR, Lucene, Coveo, and LucidWorks Fusion.


• Strong expertise in building head‑less frameworks to integrate with ecommerce applications


• Distributed Systems: Proven experience building large‑scale, highly available systems.

Programming:

• Proficiency in Java, Python, or Scala, including source control tools and practices for managing code and changes to it.


• Proficiency in software debugging and problem‑solving techniques.


• Proficiency in AI code generation tools such as Claude Code, ChatGPT, or GitHub Copilot.


• Familiarity with DevOps tools and techniques for cloud deployment.


• Producing and consuming APIs

Data Technologies:

• Familiarity with event streaming and cloud platforms.

Machine Learning:

• Practical experience applying ML to improve search relevance.

Considerations For Top Candidates:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science or related field.


• 7+ years of experience in search engineering.


• 3+ years in a technical leadership role.


• Strong understanding of modern search technologies and frameworks.


• Working experience with heavy equipment engineering or data analysis.


• Working experience with building Low‑latency API in AWS using Memory‑storage solutions.


• Familiarity with A/B testing frameworks for evaluating and improving


• Strong knowledge with cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, etc.)


• Advanced experience with version control / repositories such as GitHub


• Experience operating in an Agile / Global team environment


• Must demonstrate strong initiative, interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate effectively.

What You Will Get:

Working with a Fortune 100 leader, you can build your career on a global scale and take advantage of development opportunities with emerging technologies. We’ve created an inclusive environment for you to explore your passions, make an impact and do the work that really matters. Join Us.

About Caterpillar:

Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off‑highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel‑electric locomotives. For nearly 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced‑carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.

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:

• 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

Relocation is available for this position.

Visa sponsorship is available for eligible applicants.

Posting Dates:

June 18, 2026 - June 25, 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.