Lead AI Software Engineer

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.
Lead AI Software Engineer
Role Summary:
The Lead AI Software Engineer - HR Technology is a senior technical role responsible for designing, building, and deploying advanced agentic AI solutions that enhance and scale HR capabilities across the enterprise. This role focuses on developing production-ready AI systems, including multi-agent architectures, orchestration layers, and integrations with enterprise platforms and data sources.
The position partners closely with HR Centers of Excellence, IT, and business stakeholders to translate business needs into effective AI solutions, while also evaluating emerging technologies to inform build versus-buy decisions. The Lead AI software engineer provides technical leadership across the full software development lifecycle, applying modern AI engineering practices such as large language model orchestration, retrieval-augmented generation, and MLOps / LLMOps.
This role requires deep expertise in AI system design, strong software engineering fundamentals, and the ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences.
What You Will Do:

• Designing, modifying, developing, writing, and implementing Agentic AI applications for target system using agile methods - focusing on the HR function.
• Designing an AI application's technical infrastructure, including orchestration layers, tool integrations, data retrieval patterns, and testing approaches.
• Leading the evaluation and deployment of emerging AI technologies and frameworks to enhance Caterpillar's agentic capabilities.
• Participating in translating business requirements into AI solution designs and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver results.
• Partner closely with technology and business partners (Ex. Caterpillar IT and HR COEs) throughout the enterprise to develop and/or assist in "buy" decisions for AI technologies for HR.

What You Have:

• Deep experience designing and building agentic AI systems, including multi-agent architectures, tool use, and orchestration patterns.
• Experience designing and implementing production AI agent systems using LangChain, LangGraph or similar orchestration tools.
• Strong understanding of LLM capabilities, limitations, and deployment patterns (prompt engineering, RAG, function calling, context engineering)
• Experience evaluating and integrating AI/ML infrastructure components (vector databases, embedding models, orchestration layers, observability tools)
• Broad software engineering background including API design, authentication/authorization patterns, and enterprise integration
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders and influence architecture decisions across teams.
• History of staying current with rapidly evolving AI landscape and bringing practical recommendations to the table
• Experience with MLOps/LLMOps practices

Skills Descriptors:

• 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.
• Applies an assigned technique for critical thinking in a decision-making process.
• Identifies, obtains, and organizes relevant data and ideas.
• Participates in documenting data, ideas, players, stakeholders, and processes.
• Recognizes, clarifies, and prioritizes concerns.
• Assists in assessing risks, benefits, and consideration of alternatives.

• Effective Communications: Understanding 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.
• Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending the recipient.
• Listens to feedback without defensiveness and uses it for own communication effectiveness.
• Makes oral presentations and drafts reports needed for own work.
• Avoids technical jargon when inappropriate.
• Looks for and considers non-verbal cues from individuals and groups.

• Software Development: Knowledge of software development tools and activities; ability to produce software products or systems in line with product requirements.
• Conducts walkthroughs and monitors effectiveness and quality of the development activities.
• Elaborates on multiple-development toolkits for traditional and web-based software.
• Has participated in development of multiple or large software products.
• Contrasts advantages and drawbacks of different development languages and tools.
• Estimates and monitors development costs based on functional and technical requirements.
• Provides consulting on both selection and utilization of developers' workbench tools.

• Software Development Life Cycle: Knowledge of software development life cycle; ability to use a structured methodology for delivering and managing new or enhanced software products to the marketplace.
• Describes similarities and differences of life cycle for new product development vs. new release.
• Identifies common issues, problems, and considerations for each phase of the life cycle.
• Works with a formal life cycle methodology.
• Explains phases, activities, dependencies, deliverables, and key decision points.
• Interprets product development plans and functional documentation.

• Software Integration Engineering: Knowledge of software integration processes and functions; ability to design, develop and maintain interfaces and link to alternative platforms and software packages.
• Has experience with designing data exchange interfaces to and from software product.
• Describes tools and techniques for extraction, transformation and loading of electronic data.
• Cites examples of common linkage requirements for software products and vendors.
• Works with integrating software into the customer or partner framework and infrastructure.
• Participates in the development of technology interfaces and bridges.

• Software Product Design/Architecture: Knowledge of software product design; ability to convert market requirements into software product design.
• Demonstrates experience with the architecture and design of major or multiple products.
• Describes major software architecture alternatives and considerations.
• Explains design considerations for commercial database systems, operating systems and web.
• Displays experience in estimating the cost of a specific design of a proposed product.
• Facilitates design reviews and walkthroughs.
• Analyzes benefits and drawbacks of specific software designs and architecture.

• Software Product Technical Knowledge: Knowledge of technical aspects of a software product; ability to design, configure and integrate technical aspects of software products.
• Maintains and utilizes data related to installing base configurations and environments.
• Solicits customer feedback; reports and monitors bugs and implementation issues.
• Participates in defining and conducting technical acceptance tests.
• Participates in creating technical requirements for software development and deployment.
• Explains basic environment and product configuration options.

• 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.
• Participates in test readiness reviews, functional, volume, and load testing.
• Describes key features and aspects of a specific testing discipline or methodology.
• Tests software components for compliance with functional requirements and design specifications.
• Explains procedures for documenting test activities and results (e.g. errors, non-conformance, etc.)
• Conducts functional and performance testing on aspects of assigned products.

Additional Info:

• The primary location for this position is Dallas, TX.
• Domestic relocation is available.
• This role requires 5 days onsite.
• SPONSORSHIP IS NOT AVAILABLE.

What You Will Get:

• Our goal at Caterpillar is for you to have a rewarding career. Our teams are critical to the success of our customers who build a better world.
• Here you earn more than just a salary because we value your performance. We offer a total rewards package that provides benefits on day one (medical, dental, vision, RX, and 401K) along with the potential of an annual bonus. Added benefits include paid vacation days and paid holidays.
• All qualified individuals - Including minorities, females, veterans, and individuals with disabilities - are encouraged to apply.

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 one hundred 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:
$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
Posting Dates:
February 23, 2026 - March 4, 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.
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