Senior Robotics Planning Engineer

Career Area:

Engineering

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.

Job Summary:  

The Robotics Planning Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and validating planning software that enables autonomous machines to safely and efficiently navigate, perform work tasks, and execute complex operations in dynamic environments. This role develops planning algorithms, APIs, software frameworks, and reusable components that support navigation planning, motion planning, path planning, terrain planning, and autonomous work execution across a variety of machine platforms and applications.

The engineer collaborates closely with autonomy, perception, controls, simulation, and software platform teams to define requirements, develop robust planning solutions, create test scenarios, and evaluate system performance. Responsibilities include implementing and optimizing planning algorithms, developing C++ software libraries and interfaces, supporting simulation and validation activities, analyzing field and test data, and contributing to scalable planning architectures that can accommodate different machine types, operating environments, objectives, and constraints. The ideal candidate combines strong software engineering skills with expertise in robotics, motion planning, optimization, controls, or autonomous systems and demonstrates a passion for solving challenging real-world robotics problems.  

What You Will Do:

• Collaborate with autonomy, perception, controls, simulation, and software platform teams to define requirements, develop robust planning solutions, create test scenarios, and evaluate system performance.

• Design, implement, and optimize motion planning algorithms that enable autonomous systems to operate safely and efficiently in complex real-world environments.

• Develop and maintain high-quality C++ software libraries, interfaces, and planning frameworks to support autonomous machine capabilities.

• Support simulation, testing, and validation activities by analyzing field and test data to identify performance improvements and ensure system reliability.

• Contribute to scalable planning architectures that can be adapted across different machine types, operating environments, objectives, and operational constraints.

• Apply expertise in robotics, motion planning, optimization, controls, and autonomous systems to solve challenging engineering problems and advance autonomy technology.

What You Will Have:

• Problem Solving: Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations.

• Software Development Life Cycle: Knowledge of software development life cycle; ability to use a structured methodology for delivering and managing new or enhanced software products to the marketplace.

• Programming: Knowledge of relevant programming languages and tools; ability to test, write, design, debug, troubleshoot and maintain source codes and computer programs.

Considerations For Top Candidates:

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Robotics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.

• 4+ years of experience developing robotics or autonomous solutions with demonstrated technical expertise in complex software systems.

• Strong C++ development skills with proficiency in Python for algorithm development, testing, and automation.

• Experience interpreting system architectures, application designs, and technical specifications to deliver robust software solutions.

• Knowledge of robotics frameworks and middleware technologies, including Robot Operating System (ROS).

• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex software and application issues through code analysis, debugging, profiling, log analysis, and root cause investigation.

• Experience applying structured software engineering practices, documenting technical issues and resolutions, and contributing to maintainable, scalable software architectures.

Additional Information:

• This position requires the candidate to work full-time at the Irving, TX office.

• Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position.

• Visa sponsorship is NOT available with this position.

• This position will require up to 10% travel

• #LI

Summary Pay Range:

$112,710.00 - $183,140.00

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:

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.  Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.

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