Controls System Engineering Specialist

Caterpillar•East Peoria, IL

3d•$126,000 - $189,000•Onsite

About The Position

As a Controls System Engineering Specialist in Caterpillar’s Excavation Division, you will lead the development of next-generation control systems that elevate machine performance, efficiency, and versatility across our product lineup, including hydraulic excavators, forestry machines, and material handlers. You will design, integrate, and fine-tune advanced control features such as electro-hydraulic machine controls, autonomous capabilities and tool control systems, while identifying new opportunities to optimize hydraulic and power systems. Your work will directly influence the future of productivity, safety, and sustainability in the industry.

Requirements

Degree Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Computer Science or a related 4-year technical degree
Embedded Systems: Deep expertise working with embedded control systems, hydraulic components, or embedded software in high-performance machine environments.
Project Management: Proven experience leading complex engineering projects with minimal oversight, demonstrating the ability to identify critical gaps and drive resolution effectively.
Communicating Complex Concepts: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to clearly communicate technical information to diverse, cross-functional teams across global settings.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing and testing embedded control systems solutions
Experience with electro-hydraulics such as implements and hydrostatic systems
Experience working with heavy equipment and understanding how customers & operators utilize our equipment in various applications
An emphasis on initiative and strong technical insight

Responsibilities

Engage teams and Lead New Product Introduction (NPI) and Annual Product Update (APU) projects to implement solutions from pre-launch through production.
Work directly with customers, operators, process partners and regulatory teams to define system and component requirements.
Lead cross functional teams on development projects and field issue resolution while mentoring engineers in the process.
Develop innovative machine control algorithms to optimize the next generation hydraulic systems, electrification systems, and/or work tools.
Perform on-machine development activities such as control system tuning and software verification, to meet machine level performance and feature design targets at Caterpillar’s Proving Grounds and occasionally at customer job sites.
Utilize model-based development tools, such as Matlab/Simulink to perform controls system algorithm and software design.
Utilize on machine development and data acquisition tools such as CANape to verify and tune hardware/software functionality.
Work with component and vehicle teams to optimize hydraulic and power systems hardware designs to maximize machine controllability and efficiency.