Sr. Data Engineer, AI Data Engineering

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.
Cat Digital is the digital and technology arm of Caterpillar Inc., leveraging the latest technologies to build industry leading digital solutions for our customers and dealers. With over 1.5 million connected assets worldwide, our teams use data, technology, advanced analytics, telematics, and AI capabilities to help our customers build a better, more sustainable world.
Job Summary:
As a Senior Data Engineer on the Helios Data Engineering team, you will be responsible for developing Python data pipelines that build business data objects used to support applications.
What You Will Do:

• Responsibilities of the incumbents are across functional lines with individuals assigned in new program development.
• Competent to perform all programming, project management, and development assignments without close supervision; normally assigned the more complex aspects of systems work.
• Works directly on complex application/technical problem identification and resolution.
• Interpreting design requirements for engineering implementation
• Building and deploying CICD pipelines
• Implementing source to target mapping as pipeline code
• Responsibility for Unit and Integration testing
• Maintains high standards of software quality within the team by establishing good practices and habits
• Identifies and encourage areas for growth and improvement within the team
• Employee is also responsible for performing other job duties as assigned by Caterpillar management from time to time.

What You Will Have:

• Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
• Effective Communications: 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.
• Software Development: Extensive knowledge of software development tools and activities; ability to produce software products or systems in line with product requirements.
• 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.
• Software Product Design/Architecture: Knowledge of software product design; ability to convert market requirements into the software product design.
• Software Product Technical Knowledge: Knowledge of technical aspects of a software products; ability to design, configure and integrate technical aspects of software products.
• Software Product Testing: Extensive knowledge of software product testing; ability to design, plan, and execute testing strategies and tactics to ensure software product quality and adherence to stated requirements.

Considerations for Top Candidates:

• Extensive software development experience and solid working knowledge of OOP principles.
• Knowledge and experience with Embedding Models and Concepts for effectively chunking data
• Extensive experience working with Git version control
• Exceptional communication skills with experience working on a cross functional teams.
• Extensive experience deploying software using CI/CD tools such as Jenkins, Github Actions, Azure Devops etc.
• Extensive experience in designing and developing software applications in Python.
• Experience with AWS components such as Bedrock, Lambda, Dynamo, Fargate, S3, Sagemaker, IAM and RDS
• Experience with relational and/or noSQL databases such as PostgreSQL, DynamoDB, MongoDB, Oracle, etc.
• Knowledge and experience with AI technologies such as NLP, LLM, RAG, LangChain frameworks, etc
• Experience working with NVIDIA Jetson or Orin hardware platforms, particularly in the context of AI model deployment
• Hands-on experience with NVIDIA NeMo or NVIDIA NIM (Inference Microservices) for hosting embedding models
• Demonstrated strong learning ability and a proactive approach to staying current with the latest technologies and industry trends.

Additional Information:
This position will have the option to be based out of our Chicago, IL or Peoria, IL offices.
#LI
#BI (used to post on Built In Chicago)
What You Will Get:
Working with a Fortune 100 leader, you can build your career on a global scale and take advantage of development opportunities with emerging technologies. We've created an inclusive environment for you to explore your passions, make an impact and do the work that really matters. Join Us.
About Caterpillar
Caterpillar Inc. is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For nearly 100 years, we've been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.
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
Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. This employer is not currently hiring foreign national applicants that require or will require sponsorship tied to a specific employer, such as, H, L, TN, F, J, E, O. As a global company, Caterpillar offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S which can be found through our employment website at www.caterpillar.com/careers.
Posting Dates:
February 16, 2026 - February 23, 2026
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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