Principal Robotics Engineer

Caterpillar

Confirmed live today High trust

Quick summary

Work type
On-site
Location
Irving, TX
Salary
$147,760–$240,110 / yr
Posted
2 days ago
Freshness
Confirmed live today
Closes
Nov 26, 2026

Market check

Salary context

Below market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $218k
This role $194k
$133k most similar roles pay here $290k

This role pays less than 70% of similar roles. Most pay $187,041–$248,093 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $194k versus about $218k 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 135 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $117,049–$183,140 across 128 roles with salary data.

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View all roles at Caterpillar

At a glance

TL;DR · Principal Robotics Engineer

The Principal Robotics Engineer joins the Cat Technology team to build the autonomy stack for large off-road machines. This role requires a robotics generalist who can own components end-to-end, moving projects from initial prototype to production on real hardware. Key responsibilities include designing and shipping autonomy components across perception, planning, control, and learning, while participating in test reviews and software certification. The candidate must possess production-quality skills in C++ and Python, along with experience in ROS or similar systems. Required competencies include software product design, artificial intelligence, and deep expertise in areas like motion planning, SLAM, or learning-based control. The work involves developing software systems that enable machines to operate autonomously on real customer sites by connecting machines, data, and people.

What you'll do

  • Design, build, and ship autonomy components across perception, planning, control, and learning.
  • Take robotics components from initial prototype through to production on real hardware.
  • Participate in test review, analysis, witnessing, and certification of robotics software.
  • Convert market requirements into functional software product designs and architectures.
  • Develop, implement, and apply artificial intelligence products to achieve specific business goals.
  • Write, design, debug, troubleshoot, and maintain production-quality source code in C++ and Python.
  • Deploy robotics software and models in both simulation and on-vehicle environments.

What we're looking for

  • This position requires working full-time onsite at the Irving, TX office five days a week.
  • Candidates must have 10+ years of related engineering experience (preferred).
  • Candidates must be strong robotics generalists comfortable moving across the full autonomy stack (preferred).
  • Candidates must have deep expertise in at least one area: AI, motion planning, perception, controls, or SLAM (preferred).
  • Candidates must possess production-quality skills in C++ and Python (preferred).
  • Candidates should have experience with ROS or similar in real robotics systems (preferred).
  • Candidates should have full-lifecycle product experience taking robotics products from idea to production (preferred).
  • Candidates should have experience with real-world field robotics or autonomous vehicles (preferred).

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