Caterpillar, Inc

Data Science Pod Lead - Autonomy Engineer

Caterpillar, Inc$97K — $158K *
Information Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of experience in data science, machine learning, or software engineering
  • Strong knowledge of AI/ML and Generative AI concepts
  • Experience with Agile methodologies and product ownership
  • Familiarity with coding and technical troubleshooting methods
  • Exceptional communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences

Responsibilities

  • Lead a cross-functional team in AI solution design and deployment
  • Develop strategies to enhance AI tooling adoption and integrate into workflows
  • Collaborate with users and engineering on AI tooling optimization
  • Manage pod-level planning and execution of projects
  • Provide insights on AI tool efficacy and user engagement
  • Mentor team members in data science and engineering practices
  • Stay updated on AI advancements to inform future initiatives

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits
  • Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)
  • 401(k) savings plans
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Career Development programs
  • Incentive bonus eligibility
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Employee Assistance Program
Full Job Description

Career Area:

Engineering

Job Description:

The Data Science Pod Lead is responsible for guiding a multidisciplinary team of data scientists, machine learning engineers, and analysts through the design, development, validation, and deployment of data science and AI solutions. This role translates product and business objectives into executable technical plans, ensures adherence to best practices and responsible AI principles, and mentors pod members to build strong technical and professional capabilities. The Pod Leader works closely with AI Product Owners, AI Architects, engineering partners, and business stakeholders to deliver measurable value.

Within the Agentic Services & Metrics pod, this role combines technical leadership, AI enablement, and data-driven decision making to accelerate adoption of AI-assisted engineering tools across the organization. The Pod Lead will partner closely with users, and product stakeholders to optimize how AI tooling is integrated into daily development workflows, measure business impact through adoption and productivity metrics, and help shape the future direction of enterprise AI enablement initiatives as usage continues to scale.

What You Will Do:

  • Lead the technical direction, execution, and continuous evolution of the Agentic Services & Metrics pod, ensuring delivery of scalable AI enablement and analytics solutions.

  • Drive adoption of AI-assisted engineering tools by developing onboarding strategies, implementation approaches, and best practices that improve developer productivity and software delivery outcomes.

  • Partner with users and engineering teams to deploy, integrate, troubleshoot, and optimize AI tooling throughout the software development lifecycle.

  • Lead pod-level planning and execution, balancing user enablement, operational support, analytics, experimentation, and delivery commitments.

  • Report on actionable insights that help teams understand AI tool effectiveness, user engagement, and productivity outcomes

  • Provide technical leadership, coaching, and mentorship across data science, machine learning, GenAI, and software engineering disciplines.

  • Stay current with advancements in agentic AI, developer productivity tooling, and AI-assisted software engineering, helping define future services and capabilities as adoption expands.

What You Will Have:

Programming: Knowledge of relevant programming languages and tools; ability to test, write, design, debug, troubleshoot, and maintain source codes and computer programs.

  • Prompt engineering

  • Programming literacy sufficient to collaborate effectively with engineering teams; hands-on coding is not a primary responsibility.

Software Development Life Cycle:Knowledge of software development life cycle; ability to use a structured methodology for delivering and managing new or enhanced software products to the marketplace.

  • Agile Product Ownership: Experience working in Agile teams with hands-on ownership of product backlogs and sprint planning.

  • Describes similarities and differences of life cycle for new product development vs. new release.

  • Identifies common issues, problems, and considerations for each phase of the life cycle.

  • Works with a formal life cycle methodology.

  • Explains phases, activities, dependencies, deliverables, and key decision points.

  • Interprets product development plans and functional documentation.

Artificial Intelligence: Knowledge of AI and Generative AI concepts, risks, and opportunities; ability to govern and guide AI product development to achieve business outcomes while adhering to responsible AI principles.

  • AI Product Acumen: Working knowledge of AI/ML and Generative AI concepts sufficient to make informed product trade-off decisions (not expected to design or code models).

  • Explains the methodology and technologies of artificial intelligence.

  • Describes the concepts, functions and features of artificial intelligence (AI).

  • Locates relevant resources to obtain the latest information on artificial intelligence.

  • Cites examples of successful implementation of AI technologies and systems.

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

  • Problem-Solving: Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to think critically and creatively to develop innovative solutions.

  • Identifies and documents specific problems and resolution alternatives.

  • Examines a specific problem and understands the perspective of each involved stakeholder.

  • Develops alternative techniques for assessing accuracy and relevance of information.

  • Helps to analyze risks and benefits of alternative approaches and obtain decision on resolution.

  • Uses fact-finding techniques and diagnostic tools to identify problems.

  • 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.

Considerations For Top Candidates:

  • AI Product Acumen: Working knowledge of AI/ML and Generative AI concepts sufficient to make informed product trade-off decisions (not expected to design or code models).

  • Data-Informed Decision Making: Ability to interpret analytics, experiments, and model performance metrics to guide prioritization and roadmap decisions.

  • Ability to translate business strategy into outcome-driven product goals and measurable value hypotheses.

  • Agile Product Ownership: Experience working in Agile teams with hands-on ownership of product backlogs and sprint planning.

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Additional Information:

  • This position requires the candidate towork full-time at the Irving, TX office.

  • Domestic relocation assistance is NOT available for this position.

  • Visa sponsorship is NOT available with this position.

  • This position will require up to 10% travel

  • #LI


Summary Pay Range:

$97,530.00 - $158,480.00

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:

About Caterpillar, Inc

Progress Rail Services Corporation, a Caterpillar company, is one of the largest integrated and diversified suppliers of railroad and transit system products and services worldwide. Since its acquisition by Caterpillar Inc. in 2006, Progress Rail has used the Caterpillar international footprint to gain quick and widespread notice and approval across the globe. Product technology, reliability and durability, along with legendary aftermarket parts and service support, have been their keys to success. Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. The technology and world reach of Caterpillar, combined with the service standard and historical reliability of Progress Rail, ensures their products and services make a growing impact on the world rail industry. With their acquisition of Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD), Progress Rail is the world's largest builder of diesel-electric locomotives for all commercial railroad applications including freight, intercity passenger, commuter, switching, industrial and mining. EMD is also a global provider of diesel power engines for marine propulsion, offshore and land based oil well drilling rigs and stationary power generation. Electro-Motive is the only diesel engine manufacturer of its size to have produced more than 70,000 engines. This success stems from product reliability, serviceability, load acceptance capability, low operating costs and ease of maintenance with standardized components.

Caterpillar, Inc. Careers

Join the robust team at Caterpillar, Inc., a global leader in construction and mining equipment, where innovation drives everything we do. As part of our team, you'll engage in work that improves the world and furthers your career with every project you touch.

Work You’ll Do

At Caterpillar, Inc., you will have the opportunity to contribute to a variety of groundbreaking projects that extend across the globe. Our commitment to leadership in the industry is unwavering, and we achieve it through a culture that fosters diversity and leadership development.

Explore Job Opportunities and Growth

Caterpillar offers a wide range of job opportunities and career paths, providing a platform for professional growth and development. Whether you're interested in engineering, sales, marketing, or management, Caterpillar has a position that will utilize your unique skills and talents. We are continuously hiring innovative minds to propel our mission forward and maintain our status as industry leaders.

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Kickstart your career with a Caterpillar internship. Our internships provide invaluable workplace experience and networking opportunities that often lead to full-time employment at our company. As an intern, you will work alongside experienced professionals and gain insights that will benefit you as you advance in your career.

Benefits and Culture

Choosing a career at Caterpillar means more than just having a job. It means you're part of a team that values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We offer competitive benefits to ensure the health and well-being of our employees and their families. These benefits include health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off, alongside unique perks like professional development and diversity training programs.

Innovation and Leadership

Drive innovation and industry leadership as part of the Caterpillar team. We empower our employees to lead from their first day on the job, encouraging continuous improvement and career advancement. At Caterpillar, your ideas will shape the future of our business and the industries we serve.

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Prepare for Your Interview

Make a great first impression. Prepare for your interview at Caterpillar by reviewing common questions and practicing your responses. Tailor your resume to highlight the experiences and skills that make you the ideal candidate for the position you are applying for. At Caterpillar, Inc., every role offers the chance to make an impact. Come be a part of our team and drive the future of our global industries. Your career at Caterpillar is not just about what you'll accomplish, but how you'll grow and the innovation you'll lead. Join us and build a career that matters.
Learn more about Caterpillar, Inc
Size
107,700 employees
Market Cap
$125.3 billion
Industry
Net Income
$2.9 billion
Founded
1925
5 Year Trend
+5.8%
Revenue
$41.7 billion
NASDAQ

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