Caterpillar, Inc

Principal Perception Architect

Caterpillar, Inc$159K — $258K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of experience in software engineering and architecture with a focus on data and systems thinking around autonomy.
  • Experience leading technology development for large-scale systems in public cloud and hybrid ecosystems (typically 8+ years).
  • Deep understanding of multi-sensor integration including camera, lidar, radar, and GNSS.
  • Strong familiarity with validation, safety, and edge-aware machine platforms, specifically within the NVIDIA ecosystem.
  • Effective communication and organizational leadership skills, enabling collaboration and alignment across technical teams.

Responsibilities

  • Define and own the end-to-end perception architecture for autonomous machines.
  • Lead the Perception Architecture Team, guiding design decisions and aligning priorities.
  • Create a technical roadmap connecting immediate product needs to long-term autonomy capabilities.
  • Drive architectural trade-offs across various perception aspects like accuracy, cost, and robustness.
  • Ensure architecture supports real-world challenges, such as sensor degradation and field uncertainty.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure perception outputs are ready for deployment and safety analysis.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits
  • Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)
  • 401(k) savings plans
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Incentive bonus
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Parental leave
  • Adoption benefits
Full Job Description

Career Area:

Technology, Digital and Data

Job Description:

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Define the end-to-end perception architecture across sensors, perception processing, ML, fusion, 3D mapping, validation, and safety.

  • Own the perception roadmap, key architecture decisions, and system-level tradeoffs across accuracy, latency, compute, reliability, scalability, and safety.

  • Ensure sensor processing, object detection, semantic understanding, fusion, tracking, 3D mapping, and safety work together as one system.

  • Own perception-side alignment with Robotics, Edge Platform, Simulation, Machine Platform, Validation, and Safety teams.

  • Ensure perception outputs are usable by downstream teams, deployable on edge platforms, replayable in simulation, and safe for machine behavior.

  • Maintain perception architecture artifacts, including output contracts, interface standards, decision records, and technical risk assessments.

Candidates Requirements

  • Ability to take ownership of end-to-end perception architecture

  • Strong autonomy systems thinking with ability to connect perception outputs to robotics, planning, control, simulation, edge runtime, machine platform interfaces, safety analysis, and field validation.

  • Has experience with deployed autonomous, robotic, vehicle, industrial, agriculture, construction, mining, or mobile machine systems.

  • Multi-sensor integration and fusion depth with strong understanding of camera, lidar, radar, stereo, ultrasonic, GNSS, localization inputs, and machine state data.

  • Robotics-facing and edge-aware mindset:

  • Validation, safety, Physical AI platform, and NVIDIA ecosystem familiarity:

  • Perception Architecture Leadership & Engineering Execution:

  • Progressive career in software engineering and architecture with a focus on data (typically 10 years+)

  • Demonstratable experience leading technology development for enterprise scale systems in public cloud and hybrid eco-systems Team leadership (typically 8+ years)

  • Understanding of C++, python programming experience

Additional Details:

  • This position requires the candidate towork full-time at the Irving, TX office (Dallas)
  • Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position.
  • Visa sponsorship is available for this position
  • This position will require up to 25% domestic travel

Summary Pay Range:

$159,120.00 - $258,570.00

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 available for eligible applicants.

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.

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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.

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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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