Principal Engineer - Digital Twin & Simulation

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off

401(k) plan

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts

Career Development

Incentive bonus

Life Insurance

Parental leave

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Irving, TX is seeking a Principal Engineer for Digital Twin & Simulation to lead high‑fidelity digital twin initiatives for machines and job sites.

You will partner with senior management to craft multi‑year roadmaps, define architectures, and align simulations with real‑time data across engineering teams. The role requires deep expertise in system-level simulation, robotics, and Omniverse, with extensive experience deploying digital twins and integrating modeling ecosystems.

Qualifications

• Strong expertise in system-level simulation and digital twin technologies with robotics background.
• Background in construction, mining automation and robotics preferred.
• Knowledge of information architecture for simulation data and perception engineering.
• Deep expertise in NVIDIA Omniverse for building digital twins in robotics contexts.
• Experience with modeling ecosystems and tools such as CARLA, Dynasty, Simulink/Modelica, AMESim, ANSYS, Adams, GT-Suite, Unity/Unreal.
• Ability to evaluate emerging technologies and recommend adoption paths for simulation and robotics.
• Understanding of simulation architecture, model governance, verification/validation with real-time data integration.
• Proven ability to work with senior management to set vision, strategy and roadmaps.
• Excellent communication skills to translate complex concepts into business insights.
• 10+ years in simulation, robotics or autonomy; Omniverse-based twins preferred.

Responsibilities

• Define long-term vision for the simulation environment with senior leadership.
• Lead the strategy and implementation of high-fidelity digital twins for machines and jobsites.
• Oversee model validation and governance aligning with physical test data.
• Integrate simulations with real-time data sources and existing systems.
• Collaborate with engineering, autonomy, controls, software and data teams to deliver outcomes.
• Evaluate and consolidate multiple simulation assets into a cohesive digital ecosystem.
• Drive platform development to scale simulation capabilities.
• Communicate technical concepts to business stakeholders with clarity.

Skills

System-level simulation

Digital twin

Robotics

NVIDIA Omniverse

Modeling ecosystems

Architecture governance

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/CS/Robotics

Master’s or PhD preferred

Tools

CARLA

Dynasty

Simulink/Modelica

AMESim

ANSYS

Adams

GT-Suite

Unity/Unreal

Job description

## Principal Engineer - Digital Twin & SimulationApply: Irving, Texas: Full time: Posted Today: R0000395673**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.**Help Build the Future of Caterpillar – Be Part of What’s Next in Autonomous Construction Sites**At Caterpillar, technology always has a purpose, which is to solve our customers’ toughest challenges. 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. **Role Definition:**The Digital Twin & Simulation Principal will lead the strategy, design, and implementation of high‐fidelity digital twins for machines, job sites, and end‐to‐end workflows supporting automation and robotics. **Responsibilities:*** Work with senior management to define the long‐term vision, for simulation environment.* Partner with leadership to establish a multi‐year plan for simulation and digital systems* Create scale through platform development.* Create detailed system level architecture deliverables in partnership with the architects and robotics team.* Determine the technologies, platforms, and integration patterns required to support simulation capabilities.* Work closely with engineering, autonomy, controls, software, product teams, and enterprise data groups to ensure simulation solutions meet business outcomes and integrate seamlessly with existing systems.* Assess current simulation assets across Caterpillar and define the strategy to integrate, extend, or consolidate them into a cohesive digital ecosystem supporting robotics.* Oversee model validation, correlation with physical test data, and governance processes so digital twins remain accurate. **Qualifications:*** Strong expertise in system‐level simulation and digital twin technologies accompanied with a background in robotics.* Background in construction, mining automation and robotics will be preferred.* Knowledge of information architecture for simulation data, and perception engineering.* Deep expertise in NVIDIA Omniverse for building digital twins supporting robotics.* Experience architecting or integrating modeling ecosystems with tools such as CARLA, Dynasty, Simulink/Modelica, AMESim, ANSYS, Adams, GT‐Suite, Unity/Unreal, or robotics/automation frameworks.* Ability to evaluate emerging technologies and strategically recommend adoption paths for simulation and robotics.* Deep understanding of simulation architecture, model governance, verification/validation practices, and integration of simulations with real‐time data sources.* Proven ability to work with senior management to establish vision, strategy, and multi‐year roadmaps.* Excellent communication skills for translating complex technical concepts into actionable business insights.* Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or related discipline (Master’s or PhD preferred).* 10+ years in simulation, robotics or autonomy—with direct experience deploying Omniverse‐based digital twins strongly preferred. **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:**$147,760.00 - $240,110.00Compensation 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