Caterpillar, Inc

Lead Software Test Engineer

Caterpillar, Inc$128K — $208K *
Information Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
  • Extensive experience in software quality engineering, system testing, or performance engineering.
  • Proven hands-on experience with Playwright (or similar modern UI automation framework).
  • Strong experience in UI, API, and integration testing.
  • Strong understanding of distributed systems and application architecture.
  • Experience working in Agile and modern software delivery environments.

Responsibilities

  • Design and lead execution of functional testing strategies across UI, API, and integration layers using modern automation tools.
  • Validate behavior of complex, multi-tier, distributed applications, ensuring correct transaction flow across systems.
  • Define and enforce test strategies, coverage models, and release readiness criteria.
  • Lead end-to-end validation across testing phases including in-sprint, regression, system integration (SIT), and E2E.
  • Ensure software products meet functional requirements, customer journeys, and business workflows.
  • Lead design and execution of performance testing strategies using tools such as k6, JMeter, and Artillery.
  • Conduct performance diagnostics using logs, metrics, and observability data to identify system bottlenecks.

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
Full Job Description
Career Area:
Technology, Digital and Data

Job Description:

Job Summary:

Provides advanced technical leadership in the design, development, and execution of application quality engineering and performance testing strategies for Parts.cat.com, Caterpillar's global eCommerce platform.

Responsible for ensuring that complex, distributed software systems meet defined functional requirements, performance expectations, and production readiness standards. Operates at a system level to influence software design, validate application behavior, and ensure performance integrity across the full software development lifecycle.

This role requires deep, hands-on expertise in functional test automation and performance engineering tools, combined with the ability to guide engineering teams and shape practices that improve application stability, scalability, and customer experience.

What You Will Do:

Quality Engineering & System Validation:
  • Designs and leads execution of functional testing strategies across UI, API, and integration layers using modern automation tools (e.g., Playwright).
  • Validates behavior of complex, multi-tier, distributed applications, ensuring correct transaction flow across frontend, services, and backend systems.
  • Defines and enforces test strategies, coverage models, and release readiness criteria.
  • Leads end-to-end validation across testing phases including in-sprint, regression, system integration (SIT), and E2E.
  • Ensures software products meet defined functional requirements, customer journeys, and business workflows.


Performance Engineering:
  • Leads design and execution of performance testing strategies using tools such as k6, JMeter, and Artillery.
  • Designs and executes load, stress, endurance, and scalability testing aligned to production conditions.
  • Defines and enforces non-functional requirements (NFRs) and performance service level objectives.
  • Conducts performance diagnostics using logs, metrics, API traces, and observability data to identify system bottlenecks.
  • Drives root-cause analysis and resolution of performance issues across application and infrastructure layers.
  • Ensures performance validation reflects real customer usage patterns and end-to-end system behavior.


Software Development & Engineering Collaboration:
  • Partners with development teams to improve application design, performance, and testability.
  • Reviews and influences technical solutions and architecture decisions to ensure alignment with quality and performance standards.
  • Provides technical guidance on automation frameworks, testing tools, and performance engineering approaches.
  • Supports definition of technical requirements and acceptance criteria, including functional and non-functional considerations.


Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) Leadership:

  • Applies structured methodologies to support delivery and validation across the SDLC.
  • Drives adoption of shift-left testing practices, enabling earlier identification of defects and performance risks.
  • Collaborates with Product, Development, and SRE to align on release scope, quality expectations, and delivery timelines.
  • Ensures consistent execution of processes across development, testing, and release phases.


Automation & CI/CD Integration:
  • Defines and leads implementation of automated testing strategies across:
    • Functional testing (Playwright)
    • Performance testing (k6, JMeter, Artillery)
  • Integrates testing into CI/CD pipelines to enable:
    • Automated regression validation
    • Performance gating at build and release levels
  • Promotes scalable automation practices across engineering teams.


Decision Making & Technical Leadership:

  • Applies advanced decision-making and critical thinking to evaluate technical trade-offs and guide engineering direction.
  • Advises teams on risk mitigation, testing strategies, and performance optimization.
  • Reviews technical solutions for alignment with quality, scalability, and maintainability expectations.
  • Mentors engineers and supports adoption of strong engineering and testing practices across teams.

What You Will Have:

Decision Making and Critical Thinking - Extensive Experience
  • Evaluates complex technical scenarios and determines solutions based on risk, impact, and system behavior.
  • Applies structured approaches to analyze issues and guide decision-making.
  • Advises stakeholders on trade-offs affecting quality, performance, and delivery outcomes.


Effective Communications - Extensive Experience
  • Communicates technical information clearly across engineering, product, and leadership audiences.
  • Adapts messaging based on stakeholder needs and technical depth.
  • Provides feedback and coaching on technical approaches and testing strategies.


Software Development - Extensive Experience
  • Demonstrates strong knowledge of modern software development tools, frameworks, and practices.
  • Evaluates development approaches to ensure alignment with quality and performance requirements.
  • Provides consulting on tool selection and engineering practices.


Software Development Life Cycle - Working Knowledge / Advanced Application
  • Applies structured methodology across development, testing, and release phases.
  • Identifies and resolves issues across the lifecycle to improve delivery quality.
  • Aligns testing and performance validation with release lifecycle milestones.


Software Product Technical Knowledge - Extensive Experience
  • Applies understanding of system architecture and application environments to validate behavior and performance.
  • Supports development of technical requirements and configuration strategies.
  • Ensures applications meet both functional specifications and non-functional expectations.


System Testing - Extensive Experience
  • Designs and leads testing for complex, distributed, multi-platform applications.
  • Validates interoperability and data flow across systems and environments.
  • Ensures proper transaction behavior across input, output, and integration layers.


Software Product Testing - Extensive Experience
  • Designs, plans, and executes comprehensive functional and performance testing strategies.
  • Validates system behavior across both functional and performance dimensions.
  • Establishes processes for documenting test results, defects, and validation outcomes.


Considerations For Top Candidates:

Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
  • Extensive experience in software quality engineering, system testing, or performance engineering.
  • Proven hands-on experience with:
    • Playwright (or similar modern UI automation framework)
    • k6, JMeter, and/or Artillery for performance testing
  • Strong experience in UI, API, and integration testing.
  • Strong understanding of distributed systems and application architecture.
  • Experience working in Agile and modern software delivery environments.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience supporting large-scale eCommerce or customer-facing digital platforms.
  • Experience with observability and monitoring tools (e.g., Grafana, Datadog, OpenSearch).
  • Experience integrating testing into CI/CD pipelines (Azure DevOps, Jenkins, GitLab).
  • Experience working in cloud environments (AWS).
  • Familiarity with HCL Commerce or headless architecture ecosystems.


What You Will Get:

Working with a Fortune 100 leader, you can build your career on a global scale and take advantage of development opportunities with emerging technologies. We've created an inclusive environment for you to explore your passions, make an impact and do the work that really matters. Join Us.

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

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates:
June 3, 2026 - June 12, 2026

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.

Internship Programs

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.

Join Our Team

Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We are looking for passionate, curious, and solution-driven team players. Ready to start your journey at Caterpillar, Inc.? Explore our career portal for the latest job opportunities.

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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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