Caterpillar, Inc

Senior Director Machine Systems

Caterpillar, Inc$172K — $258K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in managing large-scale programs
  • Direct people management experience handling performance and career planning
  • Understanding of the grade control industry and product production
  • Experience delivering machine systems or software products
  • Hands-on experience in technical product management with problem-solving skills
  • Advanced degree in Electrical, Electronics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or relevant industry experience

Responsibilities

  • Direct major product and product group strategies for the CTCT organization
  • Develop and execute long-term strategies aligning with CTCT's vision
  • Drive innovation by assessing market issues and implementing solutions
  • Cultivate a collaborative culture among Trimble and Caterpillar
  • Lead executive management interactions to influence policymaking
  • Foster business acumen in product offerings to differentiate in the market
  • Ensure the realization of business value through effective project management

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits
  • Paid time off plan including vacation, holidays, and volunteer days
  • 401(k) savings plans
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Incentive bonus
  • Career development resources
  • Voluntary benefits and employee discounts
  • Disability benefits
  • Life insurance
  • Parental leave
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Adoption benefits
Full Job Description

Career Area:

Technology, Digital and Data

Job Description:

Directs the strategies, activities and staff responsible for the vision, planning, and direction of major products and product groups.

What You Will Do:

You are responsible for the performance and outcomes of the CTCT’s Machine System product organization. This role requires the development and execution of long-term strategies that align with the CTCT vision of "Transforming the way heavy equipment customers shape a better world."

This influential position encompasses several key areas of focus:

  • Executive Leadership and Strategy Execution: You will lead a significant segment of the CTCT organization, driving the development of Installation and Hardware Solutions, Positioning and Controls, and Integration and Commissioning. You are expected to embody the "Empowered Leaders" culture principle, guiding the organization in achieving core strategic objectives that emphasize customer adoption, system -interoperability, and continuous innovation.

  • Business Acumen and Competitive Differentiation: You will ensure our offerings are differentiated in the market and position both Cat and Trimble as the industry standard: "Better Together." Embrace the core principles of Customer-Centric, Cost-Effective, High-Quality, and Radically Simple in our product solutions as the foundation of our success.

  • Problem Solving and Driving Innovation: Your role will require assessing intangible factors and evaluating fundamental market issues to guide the development of innovative solutions. You will spearhead the execution of major strategic initiatives, focusing on foundational field-to-cloud infrastructure and advancing next-generation hardware and software solutions.

  • Executive Influence and Interpersonal Engagement: You will serve as a pivotal figure in fostering a "One Team Collaboration" culture. Your interactions with executive management across both Trimble and Caterpillar will be critical. You will be responsible for shaping senior leaders' perspectives, negotiating key matters, and influencing policymaking to ensure alignment among overall strategy, people, and execution.

What You Will Have:

Business Acumen: Knowledge of business concepts, tools, and processes that are needed for making sound decisions in the context of the

company's business; ability to apply this knowledge appropriately to diverse situations.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Designs the organization's planning processes and decision-making channels.

• Explains business issues and trends of own business unit as compared to other business units.

• Demonstrates a big picture understanding of the business, its interrelationships, and priorities.

• Demonstrates strong foundation of business fundamentals, measurement, and business finance.

• Develops business cases for own function; reviews and critiques cases for other functions.

• Explains advantages and risks of using business simulations for critical business decisions.

Products and Services: Knowledge of major products and services and product and service groups; ability to apply knowledge of productand service appropriately to diverse situations.

Level Expert:

• Mentors others on the architecture and integration of cross-functional products or services.

• Presents key products or services to stakeholders, promoting their linkages, strategies, and contributions to the bottom line.

• Designs organization's current or planned structure based on target markets and strategies.

• Predicts industry and regulatory trends and monitors key competitors' products and services.

• Consults on the full spectrum of product and service groups.

• Leads evaluations of the history, evolution, and future plans of product or service lines .

Value Realization: Knowledge of value realization methods; ability to plan, execute, monitor and manage business activities and resources to determine and achieve the actual value from a business initiative as estimated in an associated business case.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Quantifies value costs and benefits via high-level business cases and ROI analyses.

• Promotes improvements to existing processes through best practices previously unavailable or supported.

• Develops a KPI framework to relate the various value metrics and associated realization performance criteria for an initiative.

• Tracks realized initiative value through reported KPIÆs and actual performance.

• Ensures project team understanding of required process changes, to include how the changes support the business case.

• Updates business case values based on scope changes during a project and opportunistic findings during post-project value realization activities.

Business Data Analysis: Knowledge of business data analysis; ability to collect, identify, analyze and interpret business data using various

kinds of techniques to meet business needs and requirements.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Sets standards for business data analysis tools and techniques, advises on their application, and ensures compliance.

• Provides solutions to data requirements in the business data analysis process.

• Directs the implementation of business data collection processes and educates junior employees on new data sources.

• Evaluates the quality of business data collected and the effectiveness of data analysis methods.

• Oversees the use of business data analysis software and troubleshoots for common errors.

• Suggests conclusions with results drawn from business data analysis.

Product Business Knowledge: Knowledge of and experience with the business aspects and operation of a software product; ability

to manage install base, current uses, future plans, and product vision.

Level Expert:

• Drives functional enhancements and anticipates new opportunities and needs.

• Ensures feedback from current and potential users, analysts and users of competitive products.

• Plays a key role in analyzing and dealing with unusual and complex customization needs.

• Defines and communicates product strategy, vision and functional roadmap.

• Leads functional product planning effort; summarizes and communicates planned functionality.

• Is recognized as an expert on product functions, features and implementation issues.

Product Management: Knowledge of product management; ability to operate and manage product development projects at all stages of the product development lifecycle.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Has experience with multiple products or multiple releases of a critical product.

• Describes the purpose of and a methodology for a product usability analysis.

• Manages conflicts between business units, sales, marketing, and engineering teams.

• Participates in defining, estimating and pricing special enhancement requests.

• Monitors, assesses, and communicates opinions of external analysts and professional media.

• Gathers, summarizes and prioritizes ideas for new products, or new versions of existing products.

Business Development: Knowledge of business development tools, techniques and approaches; ability to explore and develop potential

areas of business growth for the organization.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Teaches others about a variety of tools and techniques for evaluating market potential.

• Develops standard processes to maximize business efficiency and effectiveness.

• Coaches others on the design and implementation of campaigns to present products to new markets.

• Develops strategies to present new business ideas to small and large prospective business partners.

• Analyzes alternative business development approaches and strategies.

• Designs common and industry-specific benchmarks for business development.

Top Candidates Will Have:

● Extensive experience in managing large scale programs that have a large strategic component.

● Solid experience of direct people management experience, responsible for performance and career planning.

● An understanding of the grade control industry and demonstrated ability to bring quality products to production.

● Demonstrated ability to deliver machine system or software projects that bring quality products to market.

● Proven hands-on technical product management experience with the ability to proactively identify & resolve issues early while maintaining relationships.

● Advanced Degree in Electrical, Electronics, or Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent industry experience.

Additional Information:

  • This position requires the candidate to work full-time at the Mossville, IL, Dayton, OH or Westminster, CO office.
  • Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position.
  • Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
  • Travel is up to 10%

 

Summary Pay Range:

$172,630.00 - $258,950.00

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:

July 15, 2026 - August 3, 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.

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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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