Technical Program Manager

Caterpillar Inc.; Mossville (IL); On-site; USD 128,000 - 209,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Paid time off

401(k) plan

Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

Career development

Incentive bonus

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Technical Program Manager / Project Lead for Hauling Autonomy to lead the development, integration, and delivery of next-generation technology for Caterpillar construction and mining machines.

This role blends hands-on contribution with coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, safety-critical hardware–software systems. You will mentor team members, drive KPIs, manage risk, and align technical execution with long-term product and business goals

Qualifications

• Knowledge of effective project management strategies; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control projects.
• Ability to lead employees from various functions to communicate, coordinate work across divisions.
• Understanding of communication concepts, tools and techniques; transmit and interpret ideas clearly.
• Ability to establish and maintain healthy working relationships with clients, vendors, and peers.
• Knowledge of planning techniques and contributing to operational tactical planning.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate system programs across multiple machines with aligned strategy and customer expectations.
• Translate product and system requirements into milestones, roadmaps, and execution plans.
• Manage schedules, budgets, resources, dependencies, risks, and mitigation across the full program lifecycle with clear business impact communications.
• Support system design, subsystem testing, system integration, and troubleshooting as needed.
• Identify and track technical and organizational risks and opportunities across teams and organizations.
• Drive cross-team collaboration and remove blockers; manage interdependencies with internal and external teams.
• Run program reviews, stakeholder meetings, customer demos, and executive updates as needed.
• Establish program KPIs and provide status on progress, quality, cost, and schedule.
• Mentor and support team members, contribute to vision and team development.
• Help define and communicate the team’s vision, aligning execution with long-term goals.
• Actively manage one’s own professional development and model leadership behaviors.

Skills

Project Management

Cross-Team Integration

Effective Communications

Relationship Management

Tactical Planning

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Computer Science

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

Technical Program Manager (TPM) or Project Lead for Hauling Autonomy Machine Integration leads the development, integration, and delivery of our next generation technology for Caterpillar construction and mining machines. This role will blend hands on contribution and coordinating cross functional teams to deliver high quality, safety critical, hardware–software systems, while fostering a collaborative, supportive team environment and strong alignment with business objectives.

What You Will Do

• Coordinate system programs across multiple machines, ensuring alignment to common strategy, architecture, and customer expectations
• Translate product and system requirements into achievable milestones, roadmaps, and execution plans
• Manage project schedules, budgets, resources, dependencies, risks, and mitigation plans across the full program lifecycle, including clear communication of business and financial impacts to stakeholders
• Support system design, subsystem testing, system integration, and troubleshooting as needed
• Identify and track technical and organizational risks and opportunities across teams and organizations
• Drive cross team collaboration, remove blockers, and manage interdependencies with internal teams and external vendors, particularly for issues that span multiple organizations
• Run program reviews, stakeholder meetings, customer demos, and executive updates, including participation in management and customer facing demonstrations as needed
• Establish program KPIs and provide clear status reporting on progress, quality, cost, and schedule
• Mentor and support team members, contribute to team vision, and provide input on performance and team selection, while creating a supportive environment focused on coaching, development, and continuous improvement
• Help define and communicate the team’s vision and purpose, aligning technical execution with long term product and business goals
• Actively manage one’s own professional development and model strong leadership behaviors for the team

What You Have

• Project Management: Knowledge of effective project management strategies and tactics; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control projects, ensuring efficient utilization of technical and administrative resources to achieve project objectives.
• Cross-Team Integration: Understanding of the importance of inter-team collaboration in breaking down silos and achieving business results; ability to lead employees from various functions to communicate, coordinate work across divisions, and collaborate in solving problems as one team.
• 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 behaviours.
• Relationship Management: Knowledge of relationship management techniques; ability to establish and maintain healthy working relationships with clients, vendors, and peers.
• Tactical Planning: Knowledge of effective planning techniques and ability to contribute to operational tactical planning.
• Education Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Computer Science

Consideration For Top Candidates

• Proven experience in Technical Program Management experience (robotics or autonomous vehicles preferred) or leading complex autonomous or heavy equipment product development
• New Product Introduction (NPI) leadership experience for complex machines or product features
• Strong technical background in complex hardware–software systems
• Experience leading cross functional teams and managing release schedules
• Familiarity with agile development methodologies
• Exposure to verification and validation of safety critical software and systems
• Experience delivering programs to production
• Excellent analytical, problem solving, and project leadership skills

Additional Information

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

Summary Pay Range

$128,470.00 - $208,770.00

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

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

October 12, 2026 - October 25, 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.