Career Area:

Job Description:

Job Summary
As a Test & Validation Senior Associate Technologist with Caterpillar’s Electric Power Division, you’ll play a critical hands‑on role ensuring the reliability and performance of our large-engine power systems supporting mission‑critical data centers. In this field‑based position, you’ll travel extensively to conduct on-site testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting of complex engine packages, directly influencing product quality and customer satisfaction. Customers and dealers will rely on your expertise as you represent Caterpillar on-site and resolve real‑world technical challenges. This role is ideal for an experienced engine professional who enjoys autonomy, problem-solving, and making an immediate impact in dynamic environments.

What You Will Do

• Perform on-site testing, validation, and commissioning of large engine packages used in data center backup power applications, ensuring safe and accurate execution of test plans

• Analyze test data, interpret results, document findings, and drive closure of issues identified during field validation activities

• Troubleshoot and resolve mechanical, electrical, controls, and package-related issues at customer and dealer sites, escalating complex issues to internal engineering teams when appropriate

• Utilize Caterpillar ET and general test equipment to perform diagnostics, capture performance data, and validate corrective actions

• Resolve issues tied to design or manufacturing, and ensure products meet design acceptance and manufacturing readiness expectations

• Support engine and package startup and commissioning activities across field locations throughout the U.S. and Canada

• Monitor machine and system performance, test results, and reliability trends; provide recommendations to improve product capability, field performance, or validation processes

• Participate in the adoption of new technologies, automation tools, robotics, and improved test or manufacturing processes to support efficiency, quality, and cost reduction initiatives

• Improve and refine testing procedures and operations to make testing more reliable, efficient, and cost‑effective

• Collaborate closely with electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, project leaders, and integrators to address and close out field issues identified during testing or commissioning

• Serve as Caterpillar’s on-site representative, maintaining clear, professional, and customer-focused communication with dealers and end customers throughout testing and troubleshooting activities

• Follow all safety protocols and site requirements while working in data center and industrial environments

What You Will Have

• Product Testing: Working knowledge of product testing approaches, techniques and tools; ability to design, plan and execute testing strategies and tactics to ensure product quality at all stages of manufacturing.

  • Documents test process and results; prepares and analyzes defect-tracking reports.

  • Summarizes features of a specific product-testing process and associated procedures.

  • Tests components for compliance with functional requirements and established conventions.

  • Develops product-testing procedures; participates in selecting testing environment and tools.

• Troubleshooting Technical Problems: Working knowledge of troubleshooting approaches, tools and techniques; ability to anticipate, detect and resolve technical problems in a manufacturing or product development environment.

  • Documents common hardware, software and communications problems and likely resolutions.

  • Troubleshoots typical technical problems in a specific area.

  • Works with vendor-specific diagnostic guides, tools and utilities to discover application problems.

  • Adheres to standard troubleshooting procedures to ensure effectiveness of resolutions.

• Technical Excellence: Basic understanding and knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.

  • Uses a structured approach in analyzing and resolving technical problems.

  • Seeks opportunities for continual learning to maintain technical competence in pursuit of technical excellence.

• Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Basic understanding and knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.

  • Explains characteristics and steps in an effective decision-making process.

  • Identifies issues and communicates with others when a decision needs to be made.

• Analytical Thinking: Working knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.

  • Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue and determining its significance.

  • Makes a systematic comparison of two or more alternative solutions.

• Effective Communications: Working knowledge and understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.

  • Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending the recipient.

  • Listens to feedback without defensiveness and uses it for own communication effectiveness.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to perform on‑site testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting of large industrial engine or generator systems using diagnostic tools to identify and resolve issues

• Strong mechanical, electrical, and controls troubleshooting capability with a structured, methodical approach to root‑cause identification

• Skilled in interpreting test data, documenting results, and communicating findings clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences

• High attention to detail when executing test plans, capturing data, validating corrective actions, and completing field reports

• Demonstrated professionalism and customer‑facing communication skills when working directly with dealers, end users, and engineering partners

What Will Put You Ahead

• Background supporting large industrial engines, generator sets, or power systems used in mission‑critical environments such as data centers or industrial facilities

• Familiarity with OEM engine diagnostic software or ECU‑based troubleshooting systems commonly used in heavy‑duty engine applications

• Experience working closely with cross‑functional engineering teams to resolve escalated field issues involving mechanical, electrical, or controls systems

• Ability to independently manage field assignments with strong ownership, clear communication, and a customer‑first mindset

Additional Information

• Travel requirement: 80%+ annually

• Relocation is not available for this position

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position

This Job Description is intended as a general guide to the job duties for this position and is intended for the purpose of establishing the specific salary grade. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive summary of all responsibilities, duties and effort required of employees assigned to this job.

At the discretion of management, this description may be changed at any time to address the evolving needs of the organization. It is expressly not intended to be a comprehensive list of “essential job functions” as that term is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Summary Pay Range:

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

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