Automation Engineering Specialist

Caterpillar Inc.

Automation Engineering Specialist at Caterpillar designing and validating electronic control systems for mining machines. Collaborating with cross-functional teams to create robust production-ready autonomy solutions.

Posted 6/17/2026full-timeMossville • Arizona, Illinois, Texas • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $128,470 - $208,770 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop and maintain technical specifications and integration documentation for autonomous machine electronic systems, including ECMs, software, and networked components
Resolve system design and integration issues by working closely with machine system and subsystem teams during development and production phases
Support software release planning and execution, including required documentation for field updates, wiring changes, and component updates
Communicate technical status, risks, and integration readiness in gateway and stakeholder reviews
Coordinate assigned software development and integration activities to ensure schedule, quality, and technical requirements are met
Develop and execute test plans and support system and software validation activities, including lab and machine-level testing

Requirements

What you’ll need

Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science
Communicating Complex Concepts: Knowledge of effective presentation tools and techniques to ensure clear understanding; ability to use summarization and simplification techniques to explain complex technical concepts in simple, clear language appropriate to the audience.
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.
Managing Multiple Priorities: Knowledge of effective self-management practices; ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments as to prioritizing and time allocation.
Technical Excellence: Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.
Strategic Thinking: Knowledge of the importance of 'big picture' thinking and planning; ability to apply organizational acumen and competitiveness to identify and maintain focus on key success factors for the organization.
Influencing Through Expertise: Knowledge of effective influencing tactics and strategies; ability to use these to deepen own expertise and impact or challenge decisions within and outside own organization.
Software Product Design/Architecture: Knowledge of software product design; ability to convert market requirements into the software product design.
Artificial Intelligence: Knowledge of the concepts, technologies and methodologies of artificial intelligence (AI); ability to develop, implement and/or apply artificial intelligence products and services in specific industry domain to achieve business goals.
Typically, 5–10 years of embedded control systems development experience
Demonstrated hands-on experience with electrical and electronic control systems
Experience developing machine control requirements and system specifications
Experience with CAN, J1939, and related data link communications.
Understanding of mobile machine operation, preferably in construction or mining equipment applications.
Experience with CAN, J1939, and Ethernet development and analysis tools.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical information to diverse audiences.
Mechanical aptitude and working knowledge of Caterpillar machine electrical and electronic systems.
Experience with MATLAB/Simulink modeling in embedded software environments.
Experience with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation and validation processes.
Familiarity with software configuration management tools such as Git or ClearCase.
Experience developing embedded real-time systems for off-highway, industrial, or mobile applications.
Experience with FMEA processes and understanding of electronic system failure modes.

Benefits

Comp & perks

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

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

embedded control systems developmentelectrical and electronic control systemsmachine control requirementssystem specificationsCANJ1939Ethernet developmentMATLABSimulinkHardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation

Soft Skills

effective communicationmanaging multiple prioritiesstrategic thinkinginfluencing through expertisetechnical excellencecommunicating complex conceptsself-managementpresentation skillssummarization techniquestime allocation