Autonomy Development Engineer

Caterpillar Inc.•Pittsburgh, PA

3d•$97,530 - $158,480•Onsite

About The Position

The Autonomy Development Engineer II develops and delivers production-quality software that enables autonomous and semi-autonomous functionality for heavy equipment in mining and construction environments. This role operates with moderate independence, owning features or subsystems while contributing to system-level design decisions. The engineer applies strong software engineering practices to solve real-world problems and supports development across the full lifecycle, from concept through validation and release. The role collaborates closely with cross-functional teams and begins to influence technical direction while supporting the advancement of autonomy technologies into production environments. Our CAT Technology Automation and Autonomy teams are focused on evolving the state of the art and bringing emerging automation & autonomy technology into the harsh production environments found on typical mining and construction jobsites. As we continue to enhance and develop new products we will be hiring across; Command for Hauling, Core Autonomy Development Framework, Positioning Solutions, Safety Solutions, Remote Control Solutions, Surfacing Loading (Construction & Quarry), Site Technology (Surface, Underground, and Construction).

Requirements

Strong proficiency in C/C++
Ability to interpret system designs and implement scalable solutions
Solid debugging, profiling, and performance optimization skills
Experience contributing to all phases of development lifecycle
Ability to independently execute development plans and adapt to changes
Solves complex but well-defined technical problems
Evaluates trade-offs and recommends solutions
Uses structured methodologies and data-driven analysis
Discovers, analyzes, and resolves software or application problems.
Analyzes code, logs, and current systems as part of advanced troubleshooting.
Records and reports specific technical problems, solving processes and tools that have been used.
Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field – or commensurate industry experience.

Nice To Haves

Autonomy Feature Development
Experience developing autonomy domains such as planning, positioning, perception, or controls
Robotics frameworks (e.g., ROS)
Translating prototypes or research into production autonomy software
Experience with autonomous or semi‑autonomous machine behavior
Autonomy Platform & Framework Development
Experience building autonomy frameworks, middleware, or shared libraries
Linux‑based development environments
CI/CD pipelines, Git, and modern DevOps practices
Hardware/software integration at the platform level
Enabling multiple teams through reusable software foundations
Embedded, Remote Control & Real‑Time Systems
Embedded C/C++ development in real‑time systems
AUTOSAR Classic Platform (BSW, RTE)
Remote control or operator‑assist system development
CAN, Ethernet, and vehicle/machine networks
Model‑based development using Matlab/Simulink
Experience in Construction or Mining Industries preferred

Responsibilities

Develop production-quality C/C++ software for autonomy and automation systems
Own feature or subsystem development across the full software lifecycle (design, implementation, validation, release)
Contribute to requirements definition, architecture discussions, and technical trade-offs
Troubleshoot and resolve moderately complex software and system issues
Support verification, validation, and functional safety activities
Collaborate with software, systems, hardware, and validation teams
Communicate technical approaches, risks, and status to stakeholders
Provide peer support and informal mentorship to junior engineers