Senior Autonomy Validation Engineer

Caterpillar Inc.•Mossville, IL

2d•$112,710 - $183,140•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Autonomy Validation Engineer supports Caterpillar’s Command for Hauling (CfH) Autonomous program, focusing on lab-based system integration, validation, simulation, and machine performance analysis. The role primarily supports validation in L8 Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) environments and collaborates with simulation systems, Test Track, Proving Grounds, and field-support teams as needed. The engineer provides technical ownership and practical troubleshooting, connecting validation results with machine behavior and product performance. The role works with SI&V leads, development teams, product groups, test teams, proving grounds, and field-support partners to improve release quality, reduce risk, and support customer-ready deployments. It also supports simulation development using real machine data, site data, logs, and test results to improve model fidelity, reproduce field issues, and expand shift-left validation coverage.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or a related technical field.
Significant experience in validation, systems integration, product development, product support, simulation, or technical troubleshooting for complex autonomous, off-highway, construction, mining, robotics, or vehicle systems.
Experience developing and executing validation plans, regression tests, requirements-based and scenario-based test cases, release-readiness criteria, and test evidence packages.
Experience analyzing machine performance data, logs, site data, communication captures, and field or test results for troubleshooting and product improvement.
Strong understanding of V-model verification and validation, agile or iterative testing methods, requirements traceability, defect lifecycle management, and release-readiness practices.
Knowledge of mining autonomy, Command for Hauling, autonomous haulage workflows, machine applications, customer site operations, and validation environments.
Knowledge of validation planning, requirements-based testing, scenario-based testing, regression testing, test automation, defect management, and release evidence using tools such as JIRA and Azure DevOps.
Ability to integrate and troubleshoot onboard autonomy software, MineStar/Fleet systems, machine ECMs, sensors, positioning systems, communication networks, and HIL/simulation environments.
Ability to identify, isolate, and resolve technical and process issues affecting validation quality, schedule, and release readiness.
Knowledge of relevant programming, scripting, model-based development, and test automation tools used to test, debug, and improve validation workflows.
Ability to troubleshoot hardware, software, electrical interfaces, communication networks, bench configurations, and integrated autonomous machine behaviors.
Ability to clearly communicate technical issues, validation status, test results, risk areas, and release recommendations to engineering and leadership stakeholders.
The position requires full-time work onsite at the Mossville, Illinois office and up to 10% travel.

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree is preferred.
Experience validating autonomous systems, preferably including Command for Hauling, MineStar/Fleet, machine control systems, HIL/SIL environments, test track, proving grounds, or field validation.
Experience in Machine Performance Analysis and supporting Simulation Development projects.
Experience using real machine data to improve simulation models, reproduce field conditions, validate system behavior, or support shift-left validation.
Experience with L8 HIL bench operation, model-based simulation, MATLAB/Simulink, dSPACE SCALEXIO, ConfigurationDesk, ControlDesk, or similar real-time validation platforms.
Experience with machine electrical systems, harness integration, ECM interfaces, CAN/J1939, Ethernet/TCP-IP, sensor interfaces, positioning systems, signal simulation, and integrated bench troubleshooting.
Knowledge of AI, autonomy, simulation, perception, positioning, sensor fusion, or advanced validation methods.

Responsibilities

Validate CfH autonomous workflows using L8 HIL benches, simulation environments, bench hardware, machine interface models, and supporting test assets.
Develop and maintain validation scenarios, test cases, regression tests, and evidence packages based on requirements, release content, field issues, machine data, and customer-use cases.
Analyze machine and site data, logs, communication captures, and test results to understand machine behavior, identify performance gaps, and support root-cause investigations.
Use machine performance analysis to improve validation coverage, confirm expected system behavior, and provide feedback to development and product teams.
Support simulation development using real machine data to improve model fidelity, reproduce field conditions, simulate operational scenarios, and strengthen shift-left validation.
Develop and maintain MATLAB/Simulink real-time models for machine dynamics, actuator behavior, ECM I/O, signal simulation, and closed-loop validation.
Configure, operate, and troubleshoot dSPACE SCALEXIO benches using ConfigurationDesk and ControlDesk, including deployment, parameter management, automated test execution, and bench bring-up.
Integrate and validate communications across CAN/J1939, Ethernet/TCP-IP, machine networks, and offboard connectivity, including timing, message integrity, and interoperability.
Integrate and validate sensor and positioning simulation for autonomous machines, including LiDAR, radar, camera, GPS, and IMU signals, focusing on interface accuracy, synchronization, calibration, and controllable fault modes.
Design, build, validate, and troubleshoot wiring harnesses and electrical interfaces for HIL benches and machine interface systems.
Troubleshoot complex CfH system-level issues involving autonomy software, bench configuration, machine interfaces, simulation fidelity, timing synchronization, network behavior, and end-to-end workflow execution.
Document defects with reproduction steps, supporting data, bench configuration details, risk context, and recommended next actions.
Maintain traceability among requirements, scenarios, test cases, results, defects, and validation evidence to support release readiness.
Communicate validation progress, open issues, risks, mitigation plans, and release recommendations clearly and using data.
Identify opportunities to improve validation methods, automation, regression efficiency, simulation reuse, bench capability, and evidence generation.