Senior Systems Engineer

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.

About Advanced Power Technologies:

At Advanced Power Technologies, we create the technologies that define the future of Power & Energy. We start with the customer of the future, understanding tomorrow's challenges and developing the innovations needed to solve them. With prime product and industry groups, Advanced Power Technologies (APT) defines and delivers Caterpillar’s next generation of power system technologies. The organization leads product strategy, long term technology roadmaps, and lifecycle leadership for advanced power, electrification, electronic controls, software, and energy solutions across the entire range of Power and Energy applications around the world.

Our unique advantage comes from combining deep customer understanding, product knowledge, and technical expertise across the entire Power & Energy portfolio. APT integrates hardware, software, and digital services to deliver scalable, reliable, and future‑ready power solutions. Partnering closely with product groups, engineering, and global delivery teams, APT balances near‑term business execution with long‑term technology leadership—enabling best in class electronics quality, fast response to market changes, differentiated customer value through vertical integration, improved uptime, and sustainable power systems across Caterpillar’s Power and Energy product portfolio. If you're excited by innovation, solving complex engineering challenges, and helping define what's next, APT is where the future is built.

Role Definition

We are seeking a Senior System Engineer to design, develop, and enhance electro-mechanical systems and mechatronic devices that optimize product and system performance. In this role, you will support Marine Propulsion Control (MPC) programs by developing requirements specifications in close partnership with product definition teams and cross-functional engineering stakeholders.

What You Will Do:

• Define program scope and author control system requirements for Marine Propulsion Control programs.

• Partner with the Program Management Office (PMO) to develop project plans, align priorities, and deliver milestones on time.

• Lead controls lab testing, manage NPI controls issues, and drive timely resolution to support feature and milestone delivery.

• Guide and support validation teams by reviewing, prioritizing, and strengthening test plans.

• Support integration and lab testing activities to verify system performance and functionality.

• Review existing test plans for thoroughness, identify gaps, and recommend improvements.

• Provide software and systems troubleshooting support to application and product support teams.

Degree Requirement
Bachelor’s degree in an accredited electrical engineering or computer engineering

What You Will Have:

Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Seeks discrepancies and inconsistencies in available information; explains variances.

• Organizes and prioritizes the sequence of steps to be taken to remedy the situation.

• Identifies many possible causes for a problem based on prior experience and current research.

• Quantifies the costs, benefits, risks and chances for success before recommending a course of action.

• Approaches a complex problem by breaking it down into its component parts.

• Chooses among a diverse set of analytical tools according to the nature of the situation.

Communicating Complex Concepts: Knowledge of effective presentation tools and techniques to ensure clear understanding; ability to use summarization and simplification techniques to explain complex technical concepts in simple, clear language appropriate to the audience.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Uses subtle cues to determine the language and experience level of an individual or group.

• Introduces technical terminology to listeners in the context of the product or service.

• Uses effective analogies to help an audience understand a novel feature of a product or service.

• Explains important details as they relate to the basic value of the product or service.

• Approaches communication challenges from various angles to find the one that works.

• Proceeds to next level of information when audience is ready.

Requirements Analysis: Knowledge of tools, methods, and techniques of requirement analysis; ability to elicit, analyze and record required business functionality and non-functionality requirements to ensure the success of a system or software development project.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Follows policies, practices and standards for determining functional and informational requirements.

• Confirms deliverables associated with requirements analysis.

• Communicates with customers and users to elicit and gather client requirements.

• Participates in the preparation of detailed documentation and requirements.

• Utilizes specific organizational methods, tools and techniques for requirements analysis.

Technical Troubleshooting: Knowledge of technical troubleshooting approaches, tools and techniques; ability to anticipate, recognize, and resolve technical issues on hardware, software, application or operation.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Discovers, analyzes, and resolves hardware, software or application problems.

• Works with vendor-specific diagnostic guides, tools and utilities.

• Handles calls related to product features, applications, and compatibility standards.

• Analyzes code, logs, and current systems as part of advanced troubleshooting.

• Records and reports specific technical problems, solving processes and tools that have been used.

Product Testing: Knowledge of product testing approaches, techniques and tools; ability to design, plan and execute testing strategies and tactics to ensure product quality at all stages of manufacturing.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Documents test process and results; prepares and analyzes defect-tracking reports.

• Summarizes features of a specific product-testing process and associated procedures.

• Tests components for compliance with functional requirements and established conventions.

• Discusses and compares usability, safety and integration testing.

• Develops product-testing procedures; participates in selecting testing environment and tools.

What Sets You Apart:

• Experience working with embedded systems

• Experience in software requirements definition of embedded control systems

• Experience with vehicle comms (J1939 and Modbus)

• Proficiency in testing embedded control systems

• Working knowledge with testing Engine or Machine electronic systems is a plus

• Demonstrated strong technical and analytical skills

Additional Information:

• Sponsorship is not available

• Relocation is not available

About Caterpillar

Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For nearly 100 years, we have been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.

Summary Pay Range:

$112,710.00 - $169,060.00

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

Posting Dates:

August 28, 2026 - September 4, 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.

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