Automation Lead - AI (C++ & Python)

Career Area: Engineering 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.

Role Definition  Leads the design, development, and validation of the safety critical software automation framework. Drives automation strategy across software-in-the-loop (SIL) validation and collaborates with development, validation, and systems engineering teams to ensure internal quality standards and customer reliability targets are achieved.  Shape  Responsibilities  Lead the design and continuous improvement of the safety Automation Framework, including SIL test infrastructure, CANoe-based signal simulation, radar object injection, and camera PCAP simulation.  Define and own the automation test strategy, including test selection, coverage mapping to requirements, and integration with CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, CMake, SonarQube).  Author and review architecture specifications, design documents, verification plans, test cases, operating procedures, and safety documentation.  Mentor engineers on automation best practices, structured test design, and validation workflows.  Report test results, defect trends, and automation coverage metrics to engineering leadership and program stakeholders.  Shape  Degree Requirement  Degree required  Shape  Skill Descriptors  Industry Knowledge  Knowledge of the automotive, mining, or heavy equipment domain; ability to apply domain expertise to safety-critical embedded software validation.  Level — Working Knowledge:  Understands safety requirements, regulatory standards, and validation practices for collision avoidance systems.  Applies knowledge of field conditions (mining environments, machine dynamics) to design realistic test scenarios.  Participates in cross-functional reviews and industry discussions related to autonomous systems.  Demonstrates working knowledge of CMS architecture, including radar, camera, and telematics interfaces.  Shape  Problem Solving  Knowledge of structured approaches for identifying and resolving technical and process issues in automation and validation.  Level — Working Knowledge:  Identifies and documents root causes for defect leakage, automation failures, and coverage gaps.  Analyzes failures from development, validation, systems, and safety perspectives.  Develops alternative diagnostics when standard tools (VBench, CANoe, SonarQube) are insufficient.  Leads RCA activities for L6/L8 defects and drives corrective actions into the automation framework.  Uses log analysis and CAN trace evaluation to diagnose and resolve issues.  Shape  Software Development Life Cycle  Knowledge of SDLC practices and their application to CMS automation delivery.  Level — Working Knowledge:  Aligns automation activities with lifecycle phases: unit, integration, SIL, and release.  Identifies failure modes and implements quality gates at each stage.  Works within structured pipelines using Jenkins, CMake, and static analysis tools (Clang, SonarQube).  Communicates automation deliverables and dependencies to stakeholders.  Translates product requirements into structured automation tasks.  Shape  Software Product Testing  Strong understanding of testing strategies for safety-critical embedded systems.  Level — Working Knowledge:  Designs and executes functional, regression, and boundary-condition tests across components.  Supports SIL test readiness, stress testing, and simulation-based integration testing.  Validates software against functional requirements and design specifications.  Establishes standards for documenting test activities and outcomes.  Executes SIL-based functional and performance validation for real-time processing.  Shape  Application Development Tools  Proficiency in automation toolchain and supporting technologies.  Level — Working Knowledge:  Adheres to coding standards for Python, CANoe configurations, and CMake builds.  Documents framework components such as Executer, Radar Simulation, and VBench libraries.  Differentiates between SIL tools (VBench, CANoe), CI/CD tools (Jenkins, CMake), and static analysis tools.  Operates across the full toolchain: execution, simulation, logging, defect tracking, and reporting.  Evaluates and recommends new tools to enhance automation capability.  Shape  Artificial Intelligence  Basic understanding of AI/ML concepts and their application in automation.  Level — Basic Understanding:  Explains AI/ML applications in anomaly detection, radar data analysis, and defect pattern recognition.  Understands AI concepts relevant to perception systems (radar, camera).  Explores AI applications in automotive validation and autonomous systems.  Identifies opportunities for AI-driven test optimization.  Shape  Programming  Strong programming skills in Python, C++, and scripting.  Level — Working Knowledge:  Interprets software designs, CAN specifications, and interfaces to develop test logic.  Develops scalable, maintainable Python automation using framework standards.  Uses Python for orchestration, C++ for behavioral analysis, and scripting for environment setup.  Implements test programs for SIL, CAN simulation, and CI pipelines.  Ensures code quality through structured, maintainable, and version-controlled practices.  Shape  Technical Troubleshooting  Expertise in debugging simulation-driven embedded systems.  Level — Working Knowledge:  Diagnoses issues across Linux/Windows environments, CAN communication, CANoe simulation, and automation execution.  Uses tools such as VBench, CANoe traces, and diagnostic utilities for root cause analysis.  Resolves environment issues related to configuration, connectivity, and simulation setup.  Analyzes logs, CAN traces, gRPC flows, and CI outputs for deep troubleshooting.  Documents issues and solutions to support knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

This position requires working onsite five days a week.  

Relocation is available for this position.

Posting Dates: June 27, 2026 - July 10, 2026

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply

Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community .