System Engineer with Electronics & Functional Safety Emphasis

Caterpillar; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 148,000 - 222,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Paid time off

401(k) plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Career Development

Job summary

Caterpillar is seeking a System Engineer with Electronics & Functional Safety Emphasis to direct design and development of complex engineering projects for machine control systems. You will ensure superior customer value through safety, performance and reliability while coordinating with cross-functional teams across Caterpillar.

Responsibilities include defining control networks, interfaces, and safety lifecycles, supporting hardware selection, and leading hazard analyses.

Qualifications

• BS in electrical engineering, mechatronics, or related field.
• 5+ years in embedded product development.
• 3+ years in functional safety of products.
• Experience with system design, CAN networks and machine control.
• Experience with electronics hardware and software development processes.

Responsibilities

• Create earthmoving and paving machine control system designs.
• Collaborate on system architectures, product design and verification.
• Decompose product systems and safety requirements into subsystems.
• Support electronics hardware selection and design to meet system needs.
• Define machine control networks, interfaces and messaging protocols.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams on safety lifecycle and V-model.
• Contribute to product safety concepts and architectures.
• Participate in hazard and risk analyses, FMEAs and FMEDAs.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers.

Skills

embedded development

functional safety

system design

CAN networks

electronics

vehicular communication

technical leadership

problem solving

team collaboration

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

DFMEA

FMEDA

PFMEA

Job description

Career Area: Engineering

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.

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you’re joining a global team who care not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers and future work 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 Technology collaborates with partners across the Caterpillar enterprise to advance technologies including autonomy and automation, which helps enhance site safety, productivity and efficiency across customer operations worldwide. Cat Technology also owns enterprise-wide initiatives in innovation, research and development, manufacturing automation and advanced materials, ensuring Caterpillar continues to lead the industry in technological excellence and engineering innovation.

The System Engineer with Electronics & Functional Safety Emphasis will be responsible for directing and participating in the design and development of complex engineering projects related to machine development to ensure products provide superior customer value in comparison to the competition in terms of features, performance, durability, and quality, with considerations of cost, manufacturing, velocity, and serviceability.

Additional Information:

• Location: Mossville, IL & Dayton, OH (United States)
• Required Travel: Up to 30% (Domestic & International)
• Relocation Assistance Offered: Domestic
• US Work Sponsorship Offered: Yes

What You Will Do:

• 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
• Assist decomposition of product system and safety requirements into subsystem requirements
• 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
• Coordinate with cross-functional engineering teams on product safety lifecycle and V-model execution
• Contribute to the creation of product safety concepts and architectures
• 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.

What You Will Have (Basic Requirements):

• Education Requirement: BS in electrical engineering, mechatronics, or a related field.
• Information Capture: Knowledge of the methods, channels and processes to obtain needed information; ability to identify, capture and document relevant business information in an auditable, organized, understandable and easily retrievable manner.
• Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
• Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
• Problem Solving: Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations.
• Conceptual Thinking: Knowledge of thinking and reasoning at a conceptual level; ability to identify the critical ideas and interdependencies among system elements that impact performance.
• Engineering - MFG: Knowledge of processes, techniques and methods of engineering in a manufacturing environment; ability to design and implement materials, structures, machines, devices, systems and processes that safely realize a desired objective or invention.
• Product Design - MFG: Knowledge of processes, approaches, tools and techniques of product design; ability to convert customer and market requirements into product design.

What Will Set You Apart (Top Candidates Will Have):

• 5+ years of experience working in embedded product development
• Minimum 3 years’ 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
• Experience working with 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
• Experience in the development and management of organizational standards and processes
• Ability to reconcile functional and regulatory product requirements, and process them into detailed engineering requirements

What You Will Get:

Through it all,weare one team – creating and delivering world-class components and solutions superior to the competition.Learn more about the CaterpillarExperience .

About Caterpillar:

Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For nearly 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.

Summary Pay Range:

$147,760.00 - $221,640.00

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.

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.

Relocation is available for this position.

Visa sponsorship is available for eligible applicants.

Posting Dates: November 2, 2026 - November 16, 2026

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.