Autonomy Application Architect

Caterpillar Inc.•Irving, TX

2d•$147,760 - $240,110•Onsite

About The Position

An Autonomy Application Architect owns the overall vehicle-level solution for autonomous machines. The role leads a team of autonomy engineers and collaborates with specialists to design and implement autonomous systems that perform real-world tasks. The architect designs and implements autonomous machine systems from requirements through production, identifies and evaluates technology solutions, and coordinates delivery across software, hardware, and platform teams. The role estimates project time and cost, conducts risk and benefit analysis, and manages phased delivery from simulation and proof of concept through production release. The architect collaborates with global and cross-functional engineering teams, and triages and resolves system-level issues discovered during development, validation, or production. The position requires strong technical expertise in autonomous systems and the ability to translate customer needs into achievable system requirements. The architect documents designs, requirements, and success criteria; communicates design tradeoffs and project progress to team members, stakeholders, leadership, and external partners; and uses evidence and data-driven communication to support recommendations and build consensus. This is an onsite, full-time position at Caterpillar’s Irving, Texas office, with up to 20% travel. Domestic relocation assistance and visa sponsorship are available, subject to eligibility. The listed salary range is $147,760 to $240,110.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in an accredited Engineering or Computer Science curriculum.
Experience with robotics or autonomous projects.
Proven ability to work on production products through design, implementation, customer rollout, and support.
Ability to decompose complex customer requirements into achievable technical requirements for product systems.
Knowledge and experience with autonomous systems; experience with a Cat Command system such as Command for Hauling or Dozing is preferred.
Strong working knowledge of the Caterpillar Command ecosystem in mining or construction, or other centralized control system architectures.
Ability to communicate complex concepts and design tradeoffs clearly to team members and stakeholders.
Ability and willingness to document designs, requirements, and success criteria to ensure team alignment.
Ability to explain project goals, keep leadership informed of progress, and share relevant updates with external partners.
Ability to support recommendations with evidence and use data-driven communication to influence stakeholders.
Ability to work onsite at the Irving, Texas office five days a week and travel up to 20%.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Caterpillar technology products.
Experience with mining, construction, or agricultural machines and methods.
Experience with product lifecycle and multi-generational technology products.
Experience in data analysis and issue investigation using custom scripts and tools.
Knowledge of safety frameworks such as functional safety or SOTIF.
Experience with simulation tools for development and validation.
Familiarity with SiL and HiL test methods.
Familiarity with C++ and Python.
Experience developing in a Linux environment.

Responsibilities

Design and implement autonomous machine systems from requirements through production.
Identify state-of-the-art technology solutions to meet customer needs, and evaluate, select, and deliver solutions.
Collaborate with software, hardware, and platform teams to break solutions into actionable delivery activities.
Estimate project time and cost to support prioritization and project management.
Perform risk and benefit analyses on proposed solutions and execute phased delivery plans, from simulation through proof of concept to production release.
Collaborate with global engineering and cross-functional teams to deliver products within the scalable technology portfolio.
Triage and resolve system-level issues found during development, validation, or production.
Lead a team of autonomy engineers and collaborate with specialists on vehicle-level autonomous machine solutions.
Decompose customer requirements into achievable technical requirements for the systems that make up the product.
Document system designs, requirements, and success criteria and ensure alignment across subsystem teams.
Communicate designs, tradeoffs, project goals, and progress to team members, stakeholders, leadership, and external partners.
Use evidence and data-driven arguments, active listening, and tailored messaging to influence decisions and achieve consensus.
Stay current with advancements in autonomy and the mining industry.