Senior Autonomy UX Researcher

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.
Cat Digital is the digital and technology arm of Caterpillar Inc., leveraging the latest technologies to build industry leading digital solutions for our customers and dealers. With over 1.5 million connected assets worldwide, our teams use data, technology, advanced analytics, telematics, and AI capabilities to help our customers build a better, more sustainable world.
Be Part of What's Next in Autonomous Construction Sites
Construction autonomy is one of the most complex challenges in applied AI, and at Caterpillar, advancements in physical AI, simulation, sensing, and edge computing are turning things that once felt impossible-intelligent machines operating in dynamic jobsites-into reality.
If this work motivates you, we invite you to join our team. In these roles, you'll work at the intersection of the physical and digital worlds. You'll help design and deliver intelligent systems that enable machines to perceive their environment, make informed decisions, and support safer, more productive operations.
Job Summary:
As a Senior Autonomy UX Researcher, this position will drive the complete research process and collaborate closely with cross-functional counterparts in Product Management, Design, Web Development, Marketing, and Engineering to influence key strategies and execution decisions. The research will be instrumental in defining next-generation products, spearheading a customer-centered decision-making process, and develop the most useful and usable product and service experiences for a global audience.
This position will conduct independent research, analyze real user behavior, and work with User Interface Designers, Product Managers, and Engineers to improve and develop our product and service features. The work will focus on the offboard software elements that support the planning, assignment, and monitoring of autonomous machines. The position will strive to ensure these systems are designed to be intuitive and accessible.
What You Will Do:

• Partner with design, product/services, and marketing colleagues to understand business needs and design appropriate research studies to generate focused insights.
• Design and conduct user research studies, including surveys, in-depth interviews, field studies, focus groups, and concept/prototype testing (particularly rapid AI prototypes).
• Foster collaboration with designers, product and service managers, marketers, and sales to translate insights into actionable recommendations that inform execution.
• Work in partnership with other researchers and organizations (e.g., data analytics) to create comprehensive and coordinated research strategies that triangulate data from different sources/methods to develop recommendations.
• Cleverly deliver research findings with strong recommendations.
• Work with designers, product and service managers, engineers, and research managers to prioritize research opportunities in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment.
• Identify and prioritize research questions based on analysis of existing product and service designs, business needs, project goals, and risks.
• Communicate results and opportunities in clear, concise, and compelling ways to all levels of management.
• Drive impact, as measured by changes to the product and service design and development roadmap.
• Potential 20% travel to Cat customers, dealers, and/or internal sites

The Digital, Technology & Distribution Division is leading Caterpillar and our industry in the utilization of data analytics, innovation, digital channels, and techniques to drive profit, create more efficient revenue growth, unlock new revenue streams, and provide more durable competitive advantages for the business through unexpectedly great experiences for our customers.
What You Will Have:
Creativity and Curiosity: Knowledge of the approaches, tools, and techniques for promoting creative, original thinking and the ability to apply it to a variety of business situations.
Adaptability: Comfort in working with uncertainty and rapid pace of change.
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.
Web Software Design: Knowledge of web software design; ability to design, develop, maintain, and enhance web-based or web-enabled software.
Human-Centered Design (HCD): Knowledge of the Human-Centered Design model, principles, and concepts; ability to understand the perspective of people who experience a problem, their needs, and provide them with a solution that truly meets their needs effectively.
User Experience Design: Knowledge of user experience design tools, techniques, and approaches; ability to design applications that are valued, positively perceived, and used by clients.
User Interface Design: Knowledge of activities, practices, deliverables, and considerations; ability to design effective graphic user interfaces for the delivery of information to the client's desktop workstation.
Considerations For Tom Candidates:
Required Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree in Market Research, Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology, Cognitive Science, Information Science, or related field, or equivalent practical experience is required.
• Requires relevant work experience, including experience integrating user research into product and service designs and design practices.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating past work experience, deliverables, and the ability to extract actionable insights from qualitative data.

Desirable Qualifications:

• A balanced understanding of strategy, research, and interaction is a must for the role.
• Must be able to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative, team-oriented, cross-functional environment.
• Experience conducting customer research in an applied setting, especially startup environments.
• Experience using standard market research tools.
• Strong in both physical and digital customer research.
• Excellent working knowledge of remote and in-person qualitative research methodologies
• Strong working knowledge of the principles of experiment design is desired.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to create compelling presentations and confidently convey insights and design solutions through storytelling across all levels.
• Familiarity with quantitative methods and statistics is preferred.
• Desirable is flexibility/adaptability (ability to change direction based upon team and stakeholder consensus).

The preferred locations are Chicago, IL, Peoria, IL, or Denver, CO.
Sponsorship is not available for this role
Remote work is not an option for this position
What You Will Get:
Working with a Fortune 100 leader, you can build your career on a global scale and take advantage of development opportunities with emerging technologies. We've created an inclusive environment for you to explore your passions, make an impact and do the work that really matters. Join Us.
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 100 years, we've been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed to 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:
$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
Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Posting Dates:
August 3, 2026 - August 10, 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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