Senior Data Scientist

Caterpillar Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 113,000 - 183,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) savings plans

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Senior Data Scientist in Chicago to drive analytics and applied AI initiatives within Cat Digital. You will partner with business leaders to turn complex data into actionable insights and scalable digital solutions.

The role requires strong Python/SQL, statistics, data visualization, and cloud experience, with a focus on mentoring team members and delivering measurable outcomes that support sales and services growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Economics, Mathematics, Data Science, or a related quantitative field.
• Analytics experience or related graduate education.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver data-driven insights.
• Applied AI, advanced statistics, forecasting or production experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple analytics and applied AI initiatives using statistical and ML methods to drive business growth.
• Translate business needs into insights, models and digital solutions.
• Mentor data scientists in development, validation and deployment of analytical solutions.
• Research and apply emerging AI techniques to improve outcomes and expand capabilities.
• Communicate complex findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

Skills

Machine Learning

Python

SQL

Data Visualization

Statistics

Analytical Thinking

Attention to Detail

Data Management

Education

Bachelor's in Statistics or related field

Tools

Python libraries (NumPy, SciPy, Pandas)

SQL databases

Data Visualization tools

Git

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

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.

Cat Digital is the digital and technology arm of Caterpillar Inc., leveraging the latest technologies to build industry leading digital solutions for our customers and dealers. With over 1.5 million connected assets worldwide, our teams use data, technology, advanced analytics, telematics, and AI capabilities to help our customers build a better, more sustainable world.

Job Summary

Join Cat Digital's Analytics & Applied AI team and help drive sales and services growth through advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI solutions. This role partners with business leaders, business segments, and analytics teams to turn complex data into actionable insights and scalable digital solutions. The Senior Data Scientist serves as a technical leader, guiding analytical approaches, mentoring team members, and delivering data-driven outcomes that create value for customers, dealers, and business.

What You Will Do

• Lead and contribute to multiple analytics and applied AI initiatives, using statistical and machine learning methods to solve business challenges and support sales and services growth.
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to translate business needs into insights, recommendations, models, and digital solutions.
• Coach and mentor data scientists in the development, validation, deployment, and responsible application of analytical solutions.
• Research and apply emerging analytical and AI techniques to improve business outcomes and expand team capabilities.
• Communicate complex analytical findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

What You Will Have

• Machine Learning: Extensive knowledge of machine learning principles, technologies, and algorithms, including experience applying classification, regression, optimization, descriptive statistics, and inferential statistics.
• Programming Languages: Knowledge of Python, SQL (NumPy, SciPy, Pandas, etc.) or R and the ability to develop and modify code to solve business problems.
• Analytical Thinking: Extensive ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems; knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis. Working knowledge in conducting exploratory data analysis to extract meaningful patterns, trends, and insights from complex datasets, including data mining and cleaning initiatives and writing, debugging and implementing queries involving multiple tables or databases.
• Business Statistics: Knowledge of the statistical tools, processes, and practices to describe business results in measurable scales; ability to use statistical tools and processes to assist in making business decisions.
• Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision.
• Query and Database Access Tools: Knowledge of data management systems; ability to use, support and access facilities for searching, extracting and formatting data for further use.
• Requirements Analysis: Knowledge of tools, methods, and techniques of requirement analysis; ability to elicit, analyze and record required business functionality and non-functionality requirements to ensure the success of a system or software development project.

Consideration For Top Candidates

• A bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Economics, Mathematics, Data Science, or a related quantitative field.
• Analytics experience, or an equivalent combination of graduate education and relevant experience.
• Experience working closely with cross-functional teams, providing data-driven insights and collaborating on projects to solve business challenges.
• Experience in applied AI techniques, advanced statistical methods, forecasting, machine learning, or in production environments, with strong initiative to research and apply new methods and digital technologies to exceed customer expectations.
• Strong Python, SQL, and data visualization experience
• Cloud platform experience with AWS, Azure, or GCP is preferred.
• Experience leading analytics projects, mentoring others, and connecting data across business domains to generate insights that support profitable growth, with strong communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills.

Additional Details

• This position requires the candidate to be in Chicago, IL or Peoria, IL
• Relocation assistance is NOT available for this position
• Visa sponsorship is NOT available with this position.

Summary Pay Range

$112,710.00 - $183,140.00

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
• These benefits also apply to part-time employees

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

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.