Autonomy Validation Specialist

Career Area:
Technology, Digital and Data
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 position supports the Caterpillar Autonomous Program and plays a critical role in delivering high-quality, technology-ready autonomous platforms. The Autonomy Validation Lead will drive System Integration and Validation (SI&V) activities, primarily conducted in laboratory environments and closely coordinated with Test Track and Proving Grounds teams.
The role involves hands-on leadership of hardware and software integration, and validation across a wide range of onboard and offboard autonomous, remote control and semi-autonomous technology components. You will work across cross-functional teams to ensure validation activities are aligned with New Product Introduction (NPI) timelines and overall program milestones.
This role is critical to ensuring autonomous systems are robust, validated, and production-ready. You will be at the center of integrating cutting-edge technologies, driving execution discipline, and enabling teams to deliver safely, efficiently, and at scale.
What You Will Do:

• Lead and manage end-to-end system integration and validation (SI&V) activities for autonomous platforms
• Create, manage, and maintain comprehensive test plans and assign execution to multiple test teams
• Track test execution progress, manage risks, and ensure timely issue resolution
• Develop and maintain dashboards and metrics to provide clear visibility into validation status
• Actively participate in escape retrospectives and drive corrective and preventive actions
• Support teams with bench design, build, and commissioning activities
• Collaborate closely with Systems teams and Product teams on validation timelines and requirements.

What You Have:

• Industry Knowledge: Knowledge of mining technology, trends, directions, major issues, regulatory considerations, and trendsetters; ability to apply industry knowledge appropriately to diverse situations.

• 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.
• 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 including application of workflow tools (ex. HP Quality Center, Azure DevOps).
  • Experience using Azure DevOps, JIRA, Confluence, or Similar ALM Tools for test and program management.
  • Experience with SIL, MIL, and/or HIL concepts.
• Programming: Knowledge of relevant programming languages and tools; ability to test, debug, troubleshoot software algorithms.
• Technical Troubleshooting: Knowledge of technical troubleshooting approaches, tools, and techniques; ability to anticipate, recognize, and resolve technical issues on hardware, software, application, or operation.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage complex validation efforts across multiple teams and environments.
• Education Requirement: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science or a related field.

Consideration for Top Candidates:

• Advanced Degree in Engineering, Computer Science or related field preferred.
• Experience with design, development, validation, or product support role of complex autonomous vehicle systems
• Knowledge in iterative testing using agile methodologies. Understanding of V-model for verification & validation
• Experience with model-based simulation programs.
• Extensive experience with electrical systems including harness & electrical integration, interface and sensors.
• Advanced data analysis and systems analysis efforts and skills are needed to help troubleshoot complex issues from test or customer sites, and to examine information from test sites to improve overall systems performance.
• Good communication is expected for technical status updates, test plan reviews, and when working closely with other autonomy validation engineers, support teams and product support.
• Knowledge of AI concepts, technologies and methodologies to develop and implement/apply AI products in specific industry domain to achieve business goals.

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 20% travel
• #LI

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.
Relocation is available for this position.
Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Posting Dates:
October 20, 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.
Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.