Career Area:

Technology, Digital and Data

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.

The CAT Grade Development Engineering Specialist provides senior technical design, development, and deployment of advanced CAT Grade Differentiation software for heavy equipment applications. Operating with a high degree of independence, this role leads complex software solutions across Grade Control, operator convenience, and machine optimization domains, balancing short term delivery needs with long term architectural quality and product integrity.

This individual influences architecture, design decisions, and engineering practices. This role will work closely with machine product groups and validation to deliver highly integrated solutions. Additionally, this role will collaborate with machine product groups to ensure successful integration of CAT Grade hardware and software. The individual will spend time on machines as a part of product development doing feature check out.

What You Will Do:

• Lead and contribute to the design, architecture, implementation, testing, and release of embedded software
• Develop and/or oversee production quality C, C++, or Matlab Simulink software for complex systems
• Lead or strongly influence requirements generation and architectural trade‑off decisions
• Provide technical leadership across verification, validation, and certification activities
• Apply new technologies to improve the capability, robustness, or safety of Grade solutions
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex system and software issues across development and production environments
• Advise product groups on the integration and installation of Grade hardware and software
• Facilitate and participate in design reviews and technical discussions
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to engineers, stakeholders, and leadership
• Mentor engineers and raise overall technical quality through guidance and example

What You Have:

Programming:

Interprets application system designs and program specifications. Strong engineering practices, troubleshooting, and debugging skills.

Software Product Design/Architecture:

Demonstrates experience with the architecture and design of complex products. Describes software architecture alternatives and considerations. Displays experience in estimating the time to develop a specific design of a proposed product. Facilitates design reviews. Analyzes the benefits and drawbacks of specific software designs and architecture.

Problem Solving:

Identifies and documents specific problems and resolution alternatives. Helps to analyze risks and benefits of alternative approaches and obtain decisions on resolution. Uses fact-finding techniques and diagnostic tools to identify problems.

Technical Troubleshooting:

Discovers, analyzes, and resolves software or application problems. Analyzes code, logs, and current systems as part of advanced troubleshooting.

Communicating Complex Concepts:

Knowledge of effective presentation skills to ensure clear understanding. Ability to summarize and simplify complex technical concepts in simple, clear language appropriate to the audience.

Education Requirements:

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field – or commensurate industry experience.

Consideration for Top Candidates:

• 8+ years’ experience as a Development Engineer supporting engineering projects on machine systems
• Experience with Grade Control systems, machine controls, and embedded development
• Experience with sensing technologies, such as GNSS, IMU, position sensing, etc.
• Experience with real-time controllers
• Experience in Construction Equipment Industry

Additional Information:

This position requires the candidate to work full-time at the Clayton, NC 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.

Summary Pay Range:

$128,470.00 - $208,770.00

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. This position requires working onsite five days a week. Relocation is available for this position. Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates:

October 23, 2026 - November 8, 2026

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. Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.