Senior Validation Engineer - Autonomy Scalability

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.

This Senior Validation Engineer will develop, integrate, and validate complex autonomy systems that support Caterpillar's Command for Hauling autonomous mining truck program. In this role, you will execute System Integration & Validation (SI&V) activities within Caterpillar's virtual mine environment, helping ensure autonomous system performance, safety, reliability, and productivity. Working closely with software, systems, and testing teams, you will troubleshoot complex technical issues, analyze system performance, and contribute to the delivery of industry-leading autonomous mining solutions.

What You Will Do:

• Execute system integration and validation activities for autonomous mining truck systems within Caterpillar's Command for Hauling program.
• Perform testing in Caterpillar's scalability lab and Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) environments to validate system functionality, safety, and performance requirements.
• Develop, integrate, troubleshoot, and evaluate autonomy software systems supporting machine perception, positioning, path planning, and control capabilities.
• Analyze test, simulation, and field data to identify root causes, resolve complex technical issues, and improve overall autonomous system performance.
• Collaborate with software, systems, and validation engineering teams to translate requirements into testable solutions and communicate technical results across global organizations.
   

What You Will Have:

• Technical Troubleshooting: Knowledge of technical troubleshooting approaches, tools and techniques; ability to anticipate, recognize, and resolve technical issues on hardware, software, application or operation.
• Software Product Testing: Knowledge of software product testing; ability to design, plan, and execute testing strategies and tactics to ensure software product quality and adherence to stated requirements.
• 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.
• Industry Knowledge: Knowledge of the organization's industry group, trends, directions, major issues, regulatory considerations, and trendsetters; ability to apply industry knowledge appropriately to diverse situations.

Considerations For Top Candidates:

• Experience with autonomous vehicle, robotics, or mining automation systems, including system integration and validation activities.
• Strong understanding of autonomy technologies such as path planning, perception, positioning, and machine control systems.
• Experience working in Linux environments and supporting software-in-the-loop (SIL) or simulation-based testing.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex software and system-level issues using data analysis and root cause investigation techniques.
• Experience developing, integrating, or validating software for safety-critical systems in real-world or virtual test environments.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across software, systems, and test engineering teams in a global organization.
• Experience in construction/mining industry preferred

Additional Information:

• This position requires the candidate to work full-time at the Mossville, IL 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
• #LI

 

 

Summary Pay Range:

$112,710.00 - $183,140.00

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.

 

 

Relocation is available for this position.

 

 

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

 

 

Posting Dates:

September 17, 2026 - October 1, 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.

Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.