Senior Autonomy Validation Engineer

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Job Description:

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

This Senior Autonomy Validation Engineer position will support Caterpillar’s Command for Hauling (CfH) Autonomous program with a strong focus on lab-based system integration, validation, simulation, and machine performance analysis. The role will primarily support validation activities in L8 Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) environments, with collaboration across simulation systems, Test Track, Proving Grounds, and field-support teams as needed.

This position requires strong technical ownership, practical troubleshooting skills, and the ability to connect validation results with machine behavior and product performance. The engineer will work closely 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 CfH deployments. This role will also support development of simulation capabilities using real machine data, site data, logs, and test results to improve model fidelity, repeat field issues, and expand shift-left validation coverage.

What You Will Do:

• 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 real machine data, site data, logs, communication captures, and test results to understand machine behavior, identify performance gaps, and support root-cause investigation.
• Use machine performance analysis to improve validation coverage, confirm expected system behavior, and provide feedback to development and product teams.
• Support development of simulation capabilities by using real machine data to improve model fidelity, reproduce field conditions, simulate operational scenarios, and strengthen CfH 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, with focus on interface accuracy, synchronization, calibration, and controllable fault modes.
• Design, build, validate, and troubleshoot wiring harnesses and electrical interfaces supporting 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 clear reproduction steps, supporting data, bench configuration details, risk context, and recommended next actions.
• Maintain traceability between requirements, scenarios, test cases, results, defects, and validation evidence to support release readiness.
• Communicate validation progress, open issues, risks, mitigation plans, and release recommendations in a clear and data-driven manner.
• Identify opportunities to improve validation methods, automation, regression efficiency, simulation reuse, bench capability, and evidence generation.

What skills will you have:

• Industry Knowledge: Knowledge of mining autonomy, Command for Hauling, autonomous haulage workflows, machine applications, customer site operations, and validation environments.
• Software Product Testing: 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.
• Systems Integration: Ability to integrate and troubleshoot onboard autonomy software, MineStar/Fleet systems, machine ECMs, sensors, positioning systems, communication networks, and HIL/simulation environments.
• Problem Solving: Ability to identify, isolate, and resolve technical and process issues affecting validation quality, schedule, and release readiness.
• Programming: Knowledge of relevant programming, scripting, model-based development, and test automation tools used to test, debug, and improve validation workflows.
• Technical Troubleshooting: Ability to troubleshoot hardware, software, electrical interfaces, communication networks, bench configurations, and integrated autonomous machine behaviors.
• Technical Communication: Ability to communicate technical issues, validation status, test results, risk areas, and release recommendations clearly to engineering and leadership stakeholders.

Consideration for Top Candidates:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or a related technical field; advanced degree preferred.
• 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 validating autonomous systems, preferably including Command for Hauling, MineStar/Fleet, machine control systems, HIL/SIL environments, test track, proving grounds, or field validation.
• Experience developing and executing validation plans, regression tests, requirements-based test cases, scenario-based test cases, release readiness criteria, and test evidence packages.
• Experience analyzing machine performance data, logs, site data, communication captures, and field/test results to support troubleshooting and product improvement.
• Machine Performance Analysis and experience supporting Simulation Development projects.
• Experience using real machine data to improve simulation models, reproduce field conditions, validate system behavior, or support shift-left validation.
• Strong understanding of V-model verification and validation, agile or iterative testing methods, requirements traceability, defect lifecycle management, and release readiness practices.
• 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.
• Strong communication skills for technical status updates, validation reviews, defect triage, test plan discussions, and stakeholder alignment.
• Knowledge of AI, autonomy, simulation, perception, positioning, sensor fusion, or advanced validation methods is preferred.

Additional Information:

• This position requires the candidate to work full-time at the Mossville, IL office
• Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position.
• Visa sponsorship is NOT available with this position.
• This position will require up to 10% travel
• #LI

Summary Pay Range:

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.

Benefits:

Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits*

• Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*

• 401(k) savings plans*

• Health Savings Account (HSA)*

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*

• Health Lifestyle Programs*

• Employee Assistance Program*

• Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*

• Career Development*

• Incentive bonus*

• Disability benefits

• Life Insurance

• Parental leave

• Adoption benefits

• Tuition Reimbursement

* These benefits also apply to part-time employees

Posting Dates:

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.

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