This role pays less than
55%
of similar roles. Most pay
$174,600–$249,400
— the shaded band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$194k
versus about
$212k
for comparable roles.
Based on 240 similar postings.
Employer
About Caterpillar
Caterpillar Inc. is the world''s largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives. Industry: Heavy Equipment & Manufacturing
Caterpillar currently has
62 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$131,789–$192,710
across 61 roles with salary data.
As a Principal Edge Architect - Hardware and Interface, you will join the team to own the edge system hardware and interface architecture for the NVIDIA Thor-based machine autonomy platform. You will define the architecture for compute modules, breakout boards, and various connectivity requirements including Ethernet, GMSL, CAN, USB, UART, PCIe, and I2C. Your daily work involves assessing system constraints across CPU, GPU, memory, storage, power, thermal limits, and physical packaging to ensure the platform supports perception, robotics, data logging, and safety-related autonomy services. You will collaborate with internal teams and suppliers to identify hardware gaps and recommend expansion strategies. This role addresses the complex challenge of construction site autonomy by developing intelligent systems that allow machines to perceive their environment and make informed decisions within a large-scale connected ecosystem of heavy machinery.
Define the edge system hardware architecture for the NVIDIA Thor-based machine autonomy platform.
Own the architecture definition for various interface types including Ethernet, GMSL, CAN, USB, and PCIe.
Assess system constraints across CPU, GPU, memory, storage, network bandwidth, power, and thermal limits.
Determine hardware configurations to support perception, robotics, data logging, and safety-related autonomy services.
Identify hardware gaps and integration risks by collaborating with internal teams and suppliers.
Recommend expansion, upgrade, or platform improvement strategies based on identified technical limitations.
Convert business requirements and logical models into detailed technical designs using established methodologies.
What we're looking for
Expert knowledge of platform architecture to design processing mechanisms and roadmaps for business application systems.
Expert knowledge of data architecture techniques to integrate resources for business processes and functional support.
Ability to utilize design methodologies, tools, and techniques to convert business requirements into technical designs.
Expert understanding of communication concepts to effectively transmit and interpret information across teams.
Expert knowledge of leadership concepts to enlist others in achieving organizational objectives.
Strong experience with edge hardware platforms, embedded systems, or vehicle compute platforms (preferred).
Experience with NVIDIA Jetson/Thor hardware and ecosystem (preferred).
Deep understanding of CPU, GPU, memory, storage, power, thermal limits, and various communication protocols like Ethernet, GMSL, CAN, USB, PCIe, UART, and I2C.
NVIDIA Jetson
CUDA
TensorRT
Isaac
Embedded Linux
Edge Computing
Robotics
Middleware
Service Orchestration
Data Logging
Diagnostics
System Integration
Runtime Optimization
Cybersecurity
Edge Computing
NVIDIA Thor
CUDA
TensorRT
Robotics
AI
Data Architecture
System Architecture
Networking
Cybersecurity
Simulation
Hardware/Software Optimization
NVIDIA Jetson
CUDA
TensorRT
Isaac
Embedded Linux
Edge Computing
Robotics
Middleware
Service Orchestration
System Integration
Data Logging
Diagnostics
Cybersecurity