Principal Engineer - Digital Twin & Simulation

Caterpillar Inc.; 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) plans

Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

Health Lifestyle Programs

Employee Assistance Program

Voluntary Benefits and Discounts

Career Development

Incentive bonus

Disability benefits

Life Insurance

Parental leave

Adoption benefits

Tuition Reimbursement

Part-time benefits

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Digital Twin & Simulation Principal to lead the strategy, design, and implementation of high-fidelity digital twins for machines, jobsites, and end-to-end workflows supporting automation and robotics.

The role collaborates across engineering, autonomy, controls, software, and data teams to deliver scalable simulation platforms and governance for model validation.

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 Omniverse for building digital twins supporting robotics.
• Experience with modeling ecosystems using CARLA, Simulink/Modelica, ANSYS, Unity/Unreal.
• Ability to evaluate emerging technologies and recommend adoption paths.

Responsibilities

• Define the long-term vision for the simulation environment with senior management.
• Set multi-year plans for simulation and digital systems with leadership.
• Create scalable platform development strategies.
• Deliver detailed system-level architecture with architects and robotics team.
• Determine technologies and integration patterns for simulation capabilities.
• Collaborate with engineering, autonomy, controls, software, product, and data teams.
• Oversee integration of existing assets into a cohesive digital ecosystem.
• Govern model validation, correlation with test data, and governance processes.

Skills

System-level simulation

Digital twin

Robotics

Omniverse

CARLA

Dynasty

Simulink/Modelica

ANSYS

Adams

GT-Suite

Unity/Unreal

Robotics frameworks

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, CS, Robotics, or related

Master’s or PhD preferred

Tools

NVIDIA Omniverse

CARLA

Dynasty

Simulink/Modelica

AMESim

ANSYS

Adams

GT-Suite

Unity/Unreal

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

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 - $240,110.00

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

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.

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Relocation is available for this position.

Visa sponsorship is available for eligible applicants.

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.