Principal Edge Architect - Software and Runtime

Caterpillar Inc.; Irving (TX); On-site; USD 148,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) savings plans

Paid time off

Tuition Reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking an autonomy software architect to own the compute, OS, drivers, middleware, and runtime for edge AI on the NVIDIA Thor-based platform.

You will enable perception, robotics interfaces, data logging, diagnostics, and services to run reliably at the edge. You’ll work across perception, robotics, safety, cybersecurity, operations, and suppliers to ensure software runs on real machines, with responsibilities spanning GPU-accelerated inference, model deployment, and system

Qualifications

• Strong experience with edge AI runtime platforms and embedded Linux systems.
• Experience with NVIDIA Jetson IGX/AGX Thor ecosystem including Jetson Linux, CUDA, and TensorRT is a strong plus.
• Ability to work across perception, robotics, machine platform, safety, cybersecurity, operations, and supplier teams to ensure autonomy software runs reliably on real machines.

Responsibilities

• Define the edge compute and runtime architecture for autonomy services on NVIDIA Jetson IGX/AGX Thor platform, including OS configuration and service lifecycle.
• Leverage NVIDIA Jetson software ecosystem to support GPU-accelerated inference, sensor data processing, model deployment, and runtime optimization.
• Define resource allocation strategy for perception, robotics, machine interface, and data logging workloads across edge devices.
• Define runtime monitoring and health management architecture including fault detection, restart behavior, and diagnostics.

Skills

Edge AI runtime platforms

Embedded Linux

NVIDIA Jetson IGX/AGX Thor

CUDA / TensorRT / Isaac

Tools

Jetson Linux

CUDA

TensorRT

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.

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

Help Build the Future of Caterpillar

At Caterpillar, technology always has a purpose, which is to solve our customers’ toughest challenges. Through Cat Technology, we are solving problems by building the intelligence layer that connects machines, data, and people to make jobsites safer, more productive, and more sustainable. By combining deep domain expertise in physical systems with software, connectivity, autonomy, and AI, we deliver solutions that work in the real world—on real jobsites, at global scale.

You’ll build and deploy against one of the most unique data foundations—over 1.6 million connected assets generating real-world data daily. These data and platform capabilities are enabling the development of AI models, edge computing architectures, and software systems that scale across fleets, products, and industries. The result will be a new generation of machines that continuously learn, improve, and deliver performance at scale.

Be Part of What’s Next in Autonomous Construction Sites

Construction autonomy is one of the most complex challenges in applied AI, and at Caterpillar, advancements in physical AI, simulation, sensing, and edge computing are turning things that once felt impossible—intelligent machines operating in dynamic jobsites—into reality.

Our connected ecosystem brings together massive volumes of high-quality data to create a foundation where engineers like you can build and deploy against.

If this work motivates you, we invite you to join our team. In these roles, you’ll work at the intersection of the physical and digital worlds. You’ll help design and deliver intelligent systems that enable machines to perceive their environment, make informed decisions, and support safer, more productive operations.

Apply today to build the new era of construction autonomy at Caterpillar.

Job Summary

Own the compute, operating system, driver, middleware, tools and runtime architecture for autonomy software running on the NVIDIA Thor-based edge platform. This role focuses on enabling perception, robotics, machine interface, data logging, diagnostics, and autonomy-related services to run reliably on the edge device.

Primary Responsibilities

• Define the edge compute and runtime architecture for autonomy services running on the NVIDIA Jetson IGX/AGX Thor platform, including OS configuration, middleware, service startup, service lifecycle, runtime dependencies, and system integration.
• Leverage the NVIDIA Jetson software ecosystem, including Jetson Linux, CUDA, TensorRT, Isaac, and related tools, to support GPU-accelerated inference, sensor data processing, model deployment, and runtime optimization.
• Define CPU, GPU, memory, storage, and network resource allocation strategy across perception, robotics, machine interface, data logging, diagnostics, and other services.
• Define runtime monitoring and health management architecture, including service/process monitoring, resource usage checks, driver health, log collection, fault detection, restart behavior, degraded operation, and field diagnostics.

Candidate Requirements

• Strong experience with edge AI runtime platforms, embedded Linux systems, or robotics compute platforms. Experience with NVIDIA Jetson IGX/AGX Thor ecosystem, Jetson Linux, CUDA, TensorRT, Isaac is a strong plus.
• Solid understanding of CPU, GPU, memory, storage, network, and compute resource management for real-time autonomy workloads.
• Experience with middleware, drivers, service orchestration, process monitoring, logging, diagnostics, software updates, and runtime health management on embedded or edge computing platforms.
• Ability to work across perception, robotics, machine platform, safety, cybersecurity, operations, and supplier teams to ensure autonomy software runs reliably on real machines.

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 for this position
• This position will require up to 25% domestic travel

Summary Pay Range

$147,760.00 - $240,110.00

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 available for eligible applicants.

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Posting Dates

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.