Path Planning Senior Autonomy Engineer

Career Area: Technology, Digital and Data Job Description: Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

Role Definition Caterpillar’s Autonomy and Automation Group is building the autonomous planning platform that moves machines and manipulates terrain across construction sites. As a Path Planning Engineer, you will design the navigation and terrain planning that lets autonomous machines drive, dig, and dump safely and efficiently — from stationary digging to high-speed machine navigation. This is an ideal opportunity for someone with experience in developing path planning algorithms, perception techniques and implementing production quality software in C++. Responsibilities 1. Develop navigation planning — route generation, path planning over drivable terrain, and obstacle avoidance 2. Build motion planning that issues control commands to accurately track planned paths 3. Design terrain planning that decides where machines engage terrain — dig, dump, and push 4. Deliver long-horizon planning for both onboard and offboard execution 5. Create reusable planning libraries and common data objects such as path geometry and zones 6. Develop search and optimization algorithms and motion & terrain interaction prediction models 7. Develop production quality code and own your algorithms from design to production 8. Run simulation for path planning algorithm development and test various scenarios 9. Test code on construction equipment. Required Qualifications: 1. Bachelor's or Master's in Robotics, Computer Science, or a related engineering field 2. Strong foundation in motion and path planning, including search and sampling-based methods such as A*, RRT, and graph search 3. Proficiency in C++ and/or Python for real-time robotics software 4. Experience with autonomous ground vehicles, mobile robots, or off-road navigation 5. Working knowledge of kinematics, dynamics, and control for path tracking 6. Track record building modular, reusable software libraries with clean interfaces Preferred Qualifications 1. Experience with off-highway or heavy equipment such as excavators, loaders, and trucks 2. Familiarity with terrain modeling and machine-terrain interaction prediction 3. Knowledge of perception, localization, and mapping (SLAM) 4. Exposure to ROS, simulation, and field testing of autonomy Be Part of What’s Next in Autonomous Construction Sites Construction autonomy is one of the most complex challenges in applied AI, and at Caterpillar, advancements in physical AI, simulation, sensing, and edge computing are turning things that once felt impossible—intelligent machines operating in dynamic jobsites—into reality. Our connected ecosystem brings together massive volumes [BH1.1][LR1.2]of high-quality data to create a foundation where engineers like you can build and deploy against. If this work motivates you, we invite you to join our team. In these roles, you’ll work at the intersection of the physical and digital worlds. You’ll help design and deliver intelligent systems that enable machines to perceive their environment, make informed decisions, and support safer, more productive operations. Apply today to build the new era of construction autonomy at Caterpillar. Skill Descriptors Industry Knowledge: Knowledge of the organization's industry group, trends, directions, major issues, regulatory considerations, and trendsetters; ability to apply industry knowledge appropriately to diverse situations. Level Extensive Experience: