Principal Technical Product Manager (Machine Deployment)

Caterpillar Inc.•Irving, TX

4d•$147,760 - $240,110•Onsite

About The Position

As the Principal Technical Product Manager for Machine Deployment, you will be responsible for defining and executing the strategy, roadmap, and operational execution required to successfully build, validate, deploy, and deliver machines to proving grounds and customer sites. This role owns the end-to-end deployment lifecycle, including master schedule management, procurement coordination, machine assembly readiness, acceptance testing, logistics, shipment planning, site deployment, and operational readiness. The position partners closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Program Management, Test & Validation, Operations, and Customers to ensure machines are delivered safely, on schedule, and ready to achieve program objectives.

Requirements

Business Analysis: Knowledge of business analysis and the set of tasks, techniques and tools required to identify business, operational, and deployment needs; ability to recommend solutions that deliver value to stakeholders.
Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze schedule, resource, logistics, and operational constraints to reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, schedules, risks, and operational needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
Program and Deployment Management: Knowledge of deployment planning, integrated master scheduling, resource coordination, risk management, and operational execution; ability to successfully manage complex machine deployment programs.
Supply Chain and Manufacturing Operations: Knowledge of procurement processes, supplier management, material planning, manufacturing operations, assembly activities, and production readiness.
Machine Validation and Acceptance Testing: Knowledge of testing methodologies, deployment readiness reviews, acceptance criteria, commissioning processes, and operational validation activities.
Product Development and Engineering Processes: Knowledge of product development lifecycles, engineering change management, system integration, and cross-functional collaboration required to deliver successful machine deployments.

Nice To Haves

Lead machine deployment programs from strategic planning through build execution, testing, shipment, and site delivery.
At least 8 years of experience in Product Management, Program Management, Deployment Management, Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, or related technical leadership roles.
Experience managing integrated master schedules across procurement, assembly, validation, logistics, and deployment activities.
Experience coordinating machine builds, supplier readiness, manufacturing operations, and acceptance testing for complex products or systems.
Experience leading proving ground deployments, customer site deliveries, commissioning activities, and operational readiness reviews.
Experience partnering with Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Test & Validation, Logistics, and Customer-facing organizations to execute deployment programs.
Experience supporting autonomous systems, connected products, or large-scale equipment deployment programs preferred.

Responsibilities

Maximize the value of machine deployment programs and define work for multiple cross-functional teams.
Collaborate with Product Owners, System Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Procurement, Test & Validation, and Operations teams to own and progressively elaborate functional and non-functional Epics and Features required for successful machine deployment.
Act as the key decision-maker regarding deployment sequencing, machine build priorities, testing readiness, shipment planning, and site delivery activities.
Own definition of acceptance criteria for machine readiness, deployment milestones, testing objectives, and customer delivery requirements.
Own and maintain the integrated master schedule for machine procurement, assembly, validation, shipment, proving ground deployment, and customer site delivery.
Coordinate procurement, material availability, supplier readiness, and assembly activities to ensure machines are delivered according to program schedules.
Partner with engineering and test teams to plan and execute machine acceptance testing, validation activities, and deployment readiness reviews.
Oversee machine shipment logistics, transportation planning, site preparation activities, and deployment execution.
Make decisions on deployment schedules, testing readiness, shipment timing, and delivery content.
Communicate deployment schedules, readiness status, milestones, risks, and delivery updates to stakeholders and customers.
Perform other job duties as assigned by Caterpillar management from time to time.