SENIOR PERCEPTION ENGINEER

Caterpillar; Town of Montana (WI); On-site; USD 113,000 - 183,000; Full time

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Senior Perception Engineer to develop and test autonomous and operator-assisted driving perception systems.

You will design, implement, and validate sensor fusion, object detection, tracking, and classification algorithms for integration into our software and hardware platforms. You will collaborate with engineers to deliver production-quality autonomy solutions, with a focus on lidar/radar/camera sensing, CV/ML techniques, and robust software practices.

Qualifications

• Experience developing perception systems for autonomous vehicles, robotics, or advanced operator assist systems using lidar, radar, and camera sensors.
• Strong background in computer vision, machine learning, deep learning, sensor fusion, object detection, tracking, and classification algorithms.
• Experience developing production-quality software in C++ and Python.
• Experience with Agile environments using Azure DevOps or Jira and leveraging AWS cloud technologies (EC2, S3, Batch) for data processing and model development.

Responsibilities

• Solve challenging perception problems for mobile off-road machines.
• Participate in design and development of high-quality perception software and algorithms to solve customer needs.
• Document architecture specifications, software design, verification plans, test cases, operating procedures, and safety procedures.
• Work with application teams to collect and analyze data on customer experience with robotic and manned platforms. Work with others to analyze and annotate data for ML training. Participate in the iterative ML training cycles to meet perception requirements.
• Use appropriate tools to debug, test and maintain perception software and assist in the verification and validation process.

Skills

C++

Python

Computer Vision

Machine Learning

Sensor Fusion

Object Detection

Tracking

ROS

Tools

OpenCV

TensorFlow

PyTorch

ROS

Git

CMake

Docker

GoogleTest

Azure DevOps

Jira

AWS

Job description

Career Area:

Engineering

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.

Job Summary:

As the Senior Perception Engineer, you will be responsible for developing cutting-edge autonomous and operator-assisted driving systems. As the Senior Perception Engineer, you will design, implement, and test algorithms for sensor fusion, object detection, tracking and classification. You will also collaborate with other engineers and researchers to integrate your solutions into our software stack and hardware platform.

What You Will Do:

• Solve challenging perception problems for mobile off-road machines.
• Participate in design and development of high-quality perception software and algorithms to solve our customer needs.
• Document architecture specifications, software design, verification plans, test cases, operating procedures, and safety procedures.
• Work with application teams to collect and analyze data on customer experience with robotic and manned platforms. Work with others to analyze and annotate data for ML training. Participate in the iterative ML training cycles to meet perception requirements.
• Use appropriate tools to debug, test and maintain perception software and assist in the verification and validation process.

What You Will Have:

Problem Solving:

• Solve complex perception challenges for autonomous and operator-assisted heavy equipment operating in dynamic off-road environments.
• Develop and optimize algorithms for sensor fusion, object detection, tracking, and classification to meet customer and product requirements.
• Analyze customer and machine data to identify performance gaps and drive continuous improvement of perception capabilities and machine intelligence.

Software Development Life Cycle:

• Participate in Agile software development from requirements and architecture through validation and deployment.
• Develop software design documentation, verification plans, and test procedures.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to deliver safe, production-quality autonomy solutions.

Programming:

• Excellence in C++.
• Fluency in Python.
• Experience developing computer vision, machine learning, sensor fusion, object detection, and tracking algorithms.
• Strong software engineering, debugging, and code quality practices.

Technical Troubleshooting:

• Uses debugging and validation tools to analyze and resolve perception software issues.
• Analyzes code, logs, sensor data, and machine performance data to troubleshoot complex problems.
• Supports verification and validation activities for autonomous machine systems.

Considerations For Top Candidates:

• Experience developing perception systems for autonomous vehicles, robotics, or advanced operator assist systems using lidar, radar, and camera sensors.
• Strong background in computer vision, machine learning, deep learning, sensor fusion, object detection, tracking, and classification algorithms.
• Experience developing production-quality software in C++ and Python.
• Experience with ROS/AIS, OpenCV, TensorFlow, PyTorch, and modern software development tools including Git, CMake, Docker, and GoogleTest.
• Experience developing, integrating, or validating complex autonomous systems with a focus on machine safety and productivity.
• Experience working in Agile environments using Azure DevOps or Jira and leveraging AWS cloud technologies (EC2, S3, Batch) for data processing and model development.

Additional Information:

• This position requires the candidate to work full-time at the Irving, TX office.
• Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position.
• Visa sponsorship is NOT available with this position.
• This position will require up to 10% travel.

Summary Pay Range:

$112,710.00 - $183,140.00

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, 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
• These benefits also apply to part-time employees.

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.

Locations:

IRVING, TEXAS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA