Positioning and Controls Software Engineer

Caterpillar Inc.; Mossville (IL); On-site; USD 98,000 - 146,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) savings plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Mossville, IL is seeking a Positioning and Controls Engineer to develop and test the positioning state estimator and control algorithms for Grade Control products.

The role involves working with real-time hardware, Simulink models, and C++ software in a collaborative team environment. You will interact with software developers, validation engineers, team leads, quality engineers and product managers to deliver robust software deployed on embedded systems.

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

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 a 95-year legacy of quality and innovation and 150 locations in countries around the world, your impact spans the globe. When you join Caterpillar, you are joining a team of makers, innovators, and doers. We are the people who roll up our sleeves and do the work to build a better world. We don’t just talk about progress and innovation. We make it happen. And we are proud of that, because it helps our customers build and power the world we live in – the roads, hospitals, homes, and infrastructure. Without a dedicated workforce Caterpillar could not effectively meet our customer’s needs. Join us.

Description

This is the third career level in engineering and represents a shift from learning and assisting to fully contributing in assignments that are broader, more complex, and challenging in nature. The key role of this engineering position is to move from learning and assisting others to fully contributing. The CTCT division (a joint venture between Trimble and Caterpillar) develops positioning, control, and automation products for earthmoving and paving machines in the construction and mining industries, using technologies such as GNSS, optical total stations, lasers and sonics. The products are used in a range of applications where the operator of the machine benefits from having accurate horizontal and vertical guidance. For more information on currently developed products, see https://www.cat.com/en_US/by-industry/construction-industry-resources/technology/grade.html or http://construction.trimble.com/earthworks.

What You Will Do

The Positioning and Controls Engineer is responsible for the development and test of the positioning state estimator and control algorithm used in Grade Control products. The candidate will work in a team environment and work closely with other Software Developers, Validation Engineers, Team Leaders, Quality Engineers, and Product Managers to develop software which is deployed on real-time hardware.

• Development of Positioning and Control algorithms for a system utilizing Simulink models and C++ software
• Perform simulations to validate model development
• Creating automated software tests
• Writing, maintaining and archiving design documents, models, source code and other work products necessary for the project
• Communicate designs and analysis results to customers, suppliers, team members, and other stakeholders
• Contribute to the design of new products and processes; perform product and process maintenance

What You Will Have

Process Management

• Employs process flows, cycle time, process time and waste concepts as appropriate.
• Walks through steps, decisions, measurements, dependencies and hand-offs for a specific process.
• Creates process flow or work flow diagrams.
• Documents types of process decisions and potential impact of each decision.
• Identifies and monitors common process bottlenecks.

Accuracy and Attention to Detail

• Accurately gauges the impact and cost of errors, omissions, and oversights.
• Utilizes specific approaches and tools for checking and cross-checking outputs.
• Processes limited amounts of detailed information with good accuracy.
• Learns from mistakes and applies lessons learned.
• Develops and uses checklists to ensure that information goes out error-free.

Analytical Thinking

• Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue and determining its significance.
• Makes a systematic comparison of two or more alternative solutions.
• Uses flow charts, Pareto charts, fish diagrams, etc. to disclose meaningful data patterns.
• Identifies the major forces, events and people impacting and impacted by the situation at hand.

Uses logic and intuition to make inferences about the meaning of the data and arrive at conclusions.

Effective Communications

• Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending the recipient.
• Listens to feedback without defensiveness and uses it for own communication effectiveness.
• Makes oral presentations and writes reports needed for own work.
• Avoids technical jargon when inappropriate.
• Looks for and considers non-verbal cues from individuals and groups.

Problem Solving

• Ensures capture of lessons to be learned from a problem-solving effort.
• Organizes potential problem solvers and leads problem resolution efforts.
• Uses varying problem-solving approaches and techniques as appropriate.
• Contributes to standard practices for problem-solving approaches, tools, and processes.
• Analyzes and synthesizes information and devises alternative resolution strategies.
• Develops successful resolutions to critical or wide-impact problems.

Technical Excellence

• Provides effective technical solutions to routine functional challenges via sound technical competence, effectively examining implications of events and issues.
• Effectively performs the technical job aspects, continuously building knowledge and keeping up-to-date on technical and procedural job components.
• Applies technical operating and project standards based on achieving excellence in delivered products, technologies and services.
• Applies current procedures and technologies to help resolve technical issues in one's general area of technical competence.
• Helps others solve technical or procedural problems or issues.

Top Candidates Will Also Have

• Excellent analytical skills
• Experience with sensing technology like IMU’s, GNSS receivers, laser receivers, or UTS systems.
• Experience with real-time operating systems
• Experience with Kalman Filters
• Experience with software development of real-time embedded control systems
• Must have ability to communicate effectively with team members and others in the work group, as well employees in other units, customers, and suppliers.
• Master’s degree in an Engineering, Computer Science, or Materials Science curriculum

Additional Information

• The location for this position is Mossville, IL
• Relocation assistance is available for this position.
• This position will require less than 10% travel.
• Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this position.

Summary Pay Range

$97,530.00 - $146,290.00

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

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

August 25, 2026 - September 16, 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.