Senior System Engineer

trimble; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Trimble is seeking a Senior System Design Engineer in Dayton, OH to lead next‑gen machine control systems for CTCT. You will specify, design, and integrate embedded control architectures for earthmoving and paving equipment, and collaborate with marketing and multi‑discipline teams to deliver innovative, high‑quality products.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in embedded development and proven experience applying functional safety to product design.

Qualifications

• BS in electrical engineering, mechatronics, or related field.
• 5+ years in embedded product development.
• Minimum 3 years in functionally safe product development.
• Experience with CAN networks and vehicle integration.
• Ability to lead projects and mentor junior engineers.
• Excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Create earthmoving and paving machine control system designs
• Collaborate on system architectures, product design, and verification
• Contribute to product safety concepts and architectures
• Decompose product systems into subsystem requirements
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams on V-model execution
• Support electronics hardware selection and design
• Define machine control networks and interfaces
• Participate in hazard analyses and FMEAs / FMEDAs
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship
• Travel (including international) <25%

Skills

Embedded product development

Functional safety

System architecture design

CAN networks

Electrical schematics

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering

BS in Mechatronics

Job description

Transform the Future of Heavy Equipment: Lead Next-Gen System Design as our Senior System Design Engineer!

Ready to shape the future of heavy machinery and revolutionize earthmoving and paving technology on a global scale? Join our CTCT team in Dayton, Ohio, to design and integrate high-impact, innovative machine control systems that keep essential industries moving forward efficiently and safely.

About Us:

Trimble Field Systems develops hardware, software and services that connect the site to the office for key industries around the world, including civil construction, surveying, mapping, automotive, marine, utilities and more. Leveraging decades of expertise and a commitment to driving innovative breakthroughs, we offer solutions that drive digital transformation across your field operations.

About Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies (CTCT):

The CTCT division (a joint venture between Trimble and Caterpillar) develops positioning, control, and automation products for earthmoving and paving machines in the construction and mining industries, using technologies such as GNSS, optical total stations, lasers, and sonics. The products are used in a range of applications where the operator of the machine benefits from having accurate horizontal and vertical guidance. For more information on currently developed products, see http://construction.trimble.com/earthworks .

What Makes This Role Great:

As a System Design Engineer within CTCT, you will play a vital role in the team developing technology that works for our customers. In this hands‑on role, you will be responsible for the specification, design, and integration of future machine control systems for earthmoving and paving machines (excavators, bulldozers, graders, etc.). You'll work with marketing, multi‑discipline engineering teams, and machine OEMs, to ensure we develop innovative, high‑quality products.

You will utilize your detailed knowledge of practical applications of electrical, software, and mechanical engineering skills to lay out system architecture and the systems that are dependent on them. In addition to your broad‑ranging technical skills, you will have excellent interpersonal skills to work within ambiguous situations, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to define and develop products, and help transform requirements into product strategy and technical direction, including sometimes serving as the technical lead in engineering teams (leading through influence).

Key Exciting Responsibilities:

• Create earthmoving and paving machine control system designs
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams in the creation and application of system architectures, product design, and verification
• Contribute to the creation of product safety concepts and architectures
• Assist in the decomposition of product system and safety requirements into subsystem requirements
• Coordinate with cross‑functional engineering teams on V‑model execution
• Support electronics hardware component selection and design ensuring system needs are met
• Define machine control networks including layout, system usage, security, and messaging
• Define communication interfaces including electrical implementation, bus loading analyses, and messaging protocols
• Participate in assessments influencing product safety such as hazard & risk analyses, DFMEA, FMEDA, PFMEA, and common cause failure analysis
• Assume a leadership role in resolving complex technical problems. Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and technicians.
• Travel (including international) is less than 25%

Essential Skills & Experience:

• BS in electrical engineering, mechatronics, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience working in embedded product development
• Minimum 3 years of experience developing functionally safe products
• Familiar with system design - application level problem solving, system architectures, CAN networks, machine integration
• Electronics experience; capable of understanding and developing system diagrams and schematics
• Experience designing and interfacing with vehicular communication and control systems
• Knowledge of electronic hardware and software product development processes and tools
• Proven record of applying functional safety principles and practices to product development
• Experience contributing to product risk assessments, FMEAs and FMEDAs
• Technical leadership - use of influence and experience to achieve goals
• Solid analytical and problem solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, capable of writing technical specifications and presenting to customers and cross‑functional stakeholders
• Ability to work independently and as part of a global team

Bonus Points For:

• Experience designing Machine Control Systems
• Familiarity with functions and usage of construction or agriculture machinery
• Deep understanding of industry standards such as ISO 19014, ISO 13849, IEC 61508, and ISO 26262
• Ability to reconcile functional and regulatory product requirements, an