Caterpillar, Inc

Senior AI Automation Engineer, Data Annotation Services

Caterpillar, Inc$112K — $183K *
Consumer Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, AI, Machine Learning, Robotics, or related field.
  • Proficiency in developing software solutions using Python and containerization platforms (e.g. Docker, Kubernetes).
  • Experience designing distributed systems, APIs, and data processing pipelines.
  • Proven track record of training and deploying machine learning models.
  • Strong analytical skills across multiple technical disciplines.
  • 2+ years managing camera and LiDAR sensor datasets for machine learning applications.
  • 1+ years in data annotation and quality assurance for autonomous systems.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and deploy automated labeling and captioning solutions for datasets.
  • Train and fine-tune AI models for auto-labeling and annotation quality.
  • Build data pipelines for automated labeling and human review.
  • Implement platforms like NVIDIA Cosmos Curator and emerging AI technologies.
  • Integrate Caterpillar data systems with annotation providers and workflows.
  • Ensure operational excellence across automation services.

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.
  • Volunteer 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:

We are seeking a Senior AI Automation Engineer to develop annotation automation solutions used to create training data for robotics, autonomy, computer vision, and Vision-Language-Action (VLA) systems with a scrum team.

This role combines software engineering, machine learning, and data engineering to build automated annotation and captioning capabilities for real-world heavy equipment and construction environments. You will help deploy and extend technologies such as NVIDIA Cosmos Curator and Cosmos Reason while also developing Caterpillar-specific AI models that enable automated labeling, automated captioning, and AI-driven quality assurance.

This is a hands-on technical role focused on turning complex AI and data challenges into scalable production solutions.

What You'll Do

  • Develop and deploy automated labeling and captioning solutions for perception and VLA datasets.

  • Train, fine-tune, and evaluate AI models to support auto-labeling, auto-captioning, and annotation quality automation.

  • Build data pipelines and workflows that move datasets through automated labeling, human review, quality validation, and dataset publication.

  • Implement and extend platforms such as NVIDIA Cosmos Curator, Cosmos Reason, and other emerging AI automation technologies.

  • Develop solutions that integrate Caterpillar data systems with external annotation providers and human-in-the-loop workflows.

  • Ensure reliability, scalability, observability, and operational excellence across annotation automation services.

What Makes This Role Unique

Most AI automation solutions are not trained to understand heavy equipment, jobsites, sensor data, or machine operations.

In this role, you'll help develop the AI capabilities needed to label and describe Caterpillar-specific data at scale. You'll work on challenges involving computer vision, multimodal AI, robotics, autonomy, and Vision-Language-Action systems while helping create the data foundation that powers the future of intelligent machines.

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Robotics, or a related field.

  • Experience developing production-grade software solutions using Python, modern software engineering practices and containerization platforms (e.g. Docker, Kubernetes).

  • Experience designing and implementing distributed systems, APIs, and data processing pipelines.

  • Experience training, fine-tuning, or deploying machine learning models.

  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work across multiple technical disciplines.

  • 2+ years of experience generating and managing camera and LiDAR sensor datasets for perception or machine learning applications, including data collection pipeline design and ground truth generation.

  • 1+ years of experience in data annotation and quality assurance for autonomous systems or computer vision projects, with demonstrated ability to define annotation guidelines, identify labeling defects, and drive measurable improvements in dataset accuracy.

  • Experience using annotation and dataset management tools such as Labelbox, Supervisely, RoboFlow or similar toolchains.

  • Experience using machine learning frameworks and training tools such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, ONNX, Weights & Biases, MLflow or similar frameworks.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with computer vision, robotics, autonomy, Physical AI, or multimodal AI systems.

  • Experience with AI-assisted annotation, auto-labeling, or machine learning data pipelines.

  • Experience training or fine-tuning foundation models, vision models, or multimodal models.

  • Experience with NVIDIA Cosmos Curator, Cosmos Reason, or similar AI automation platforms.

  • Experience with Vision-Language-Action (VLA) datasets and workflows.

  • Experience with sensor data such as cameras, LiDAR, radar, or autonomous machine datasets.

  • Experience with cloud platforms, MLOps, and machine learning deployment pipelines.

  • Experience building human-in-the-loop AI workflows and quality automation systems.

Additional Details:

  • This position requires the candidate to work full-time at the Irving, TX office (Dallas)

  • Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position.

  • Visa sponsorship is available with this position.

Summary Pay Range:

$112,710.00 - $183,140.00

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.

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

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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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