Physical AI Autonomy Segment Portfolio Manager

Caterpillar Inc.•Irving, TX

11d•$147,760 - $221,640•Onsite

About The Position

The Segment Portfolio Manager turns forthcoming Physical AI and Autonomy initiatives into launch-ready programs. Before launch, the role connects Product Management, Commercial, and Technical Program Management to align priority, scope, timing, value, and resources; frame an executable plan; and bring stakeholders and approval authority together to reach a clear launch decision. The position reports to the Senior Manager, Portfolio Management. The role takes accepted initiatives from intake once engineering assessment is under way and keeps a current view of pre-launch needs. It works with Technical Program Managers and the Senior Release Train Engineer to shape engineering requirements, assess capacity and dependencies, and prepare launch decision materials for Gateway readiness and Technical Review Board review. Following a decision, the role records the decision and baseline, establishes Objectives and Milestones, and hands execution to Release Train Engineers. For new autonomy initiatives, it also governs launched programs at portfolio level and contributes to improvements in the launch-readiness process. The position is based onsite in Dallas, Texas, five days per week. Domestic relocation assistance is available. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

Knowledge of tactical and strategic planning techniques and the ability to connect scope, sequencing, resources, dependencies, and business objectives into an executable launch plan.
Knowledge of program and portfolio management practices for shaping, sequencing, launching, and governing complex digital programs and interdependent workstreams.
Ability to evaluate incomplete or conflicting information, frame options and consequences, and support timely, evidence-based decisions.
Ability to align diverse functions, clarify ownership, and influence across organizational boundaries without direct authority.
Knowledge of change-control processes for evaluating, approving, documenting, and communicating changes to scope, timing, resources, and commitments.
Ability to integrate value, scope, capacity, risk, dependency, and financial information into concise, decision-ready material for senior leaders.
Strong written and verbal communication, sound judgment, and ability to simplify complex cross-functional issues into clear options and recommendations.

Nice To Haves

Experience taking new programs, products, or NPI initiatives from concept through launch approval across Product, Commercial, and Engineering functions.
Demonstrated ability to align stakeholders with competing priorities on scope, timing, value, and resources before funding or execution begins.
Experience building launch, business-case, or gate-review packages that led to a recorded go, no-go, or conditional decision.
Experience framing integrated plans with engineering and delivery leaders, including capacity, dependencies, and supplier or partner constraints.
Exposure to autonomy, robotics, AI, connected-machine, or complex hardware-software programs.
Working knowledge of Azure DevOps, Power BI, or comparable portfolio and work-management tools.

Responsibilities

Align Product Management, Commercial, and Technical Program Managers on the priority, scope, timing, value, and resources for initiatives that have not yet launched.
Take accepted initiatives from intake once engineering assessment is under way and maintain a clear, current view of what each initiative needs before launch.
Work with Technical Program Managers to shape Epic-level engineering requirements and solution options, including platform reuse versus new-build choices.
Partner with the Senior Release Train Engineer to frame plans, decompose Epics into Features, assess capacity, and identify internal, supplier, partner, and customer dependencies.
Assemble launch decision packages covering value, customer evidence, scope, plans, capacity, dependencies, risks, and open decisions; convene stakeholders and approval authority through the Gateway readiness and Technical Review Board path.
Record launch decisions, conditions, and baselines; establish Objectives and Milestones; and hand execution to Release Train Engineers.
Govern launched new-autonomy programs at portfolio level, including Objectives, Milestones, roadmaps, RAID, decisions, dependencies, and reporting.
Maintain the pre-launch pipeline view and provide prioritization, sequencing, and start-stop-continue-defer inputs when initiatives compete for funding, capacity, or timing.
Surface misalignment, missing evidence, and unresolved decisions early; escalate material tradeoffs with clear options and consequences.
Apply common portfolio operating models, Ways of Working, and reporting standards so launched programs enter execution using consistent definitions.
Help improve the launch-readiness workflow and package based on lessons from each launch.