Lead AI Software 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.

Lead AI Software Engineer

Role

Summary:

The Lead AI Software Engineer - HR Technology is a senior technical role responsible for designing, building, and deploying advanced agentic AI solutions that enhance and scale HR capabilities across the enterprise. This role focuses on developing production-ready AI systems, including multi-agent architectures, orchestration layers, and integrations with enterprise platforms and data sources.

The position partners closely with HR Centers of Excellence, IT, and business stakeholders to translate business needs into effective AI solutions, while also evaluating emerging technologies to inform build versus-buy decisions. The Lead AI software engineer provides technical leadership across the full software development lifecycle, applying modern AI engineering practices such as large language model orchestration, retrieval-augmented generation, and MLOps / LLMOps.

This role requires deep expertise in AI system design, strong software engineering fundamentals, and the ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences.

What You Will Do:

* Designing, modifying, developing, writing, and implementing Agentic AI applications for target system using agile methods - focusing on the HR function.

* Designing an AI application's technical infrastructure, including orchestration layers, tool integrations, data retrieval patterns, and testing approaches.

* Leading the evaluation and deployment of emerging AI technologies and frameworks to enhance Caterpillar's agentic capabilities.

* Participating in translating business requirements into AI solution designs and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver results.

* Partner closely with technology and business partners (Ex. Caterpillar IT and HR COEs) throughout the enterprise to develop and/or assist in "buy" decisions for AI technologies for HR.

What You Have:

* Deep experience designing and building agentic AI systems, including multi-agent architectures, tool use, and orchestration patterns.

* Experience designing and implementing production AI agent systems using Lang Chain, Lang Graph or similar orchestration tools.

* Strong understanding of LLM capabilities, limitations, and deployment patterns (prompt engineering, RAG, function calling, context engineering)

* Experience evaluating and integrating AI/ML infrastructure components (vector databases, embedding models, orchestration layers, observability tools)

* Broad software engineering background including API design, authentication/authorization patterns, and enterprise integration

* Ability to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders and influence architecture decisions across teams.

* History of staying current with rapidly evolving AI landscape and bringing practical recommendations to the table

* Experience with MLOps/LLMOps practices

Skills Descriptors:

* 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.

* Applies an assigned technique for critical thinking in a decision-making process.

* Identifies, obtains, and organizes relevant data and ideas.

* Participates in documenting data, ideas, players, stakeholders, and processes.

* Recognizes, clarifies, and prioritizes concerns.

* Assists in assessing risks, benefits, and consideration of alternatives.

* Effective Communications:
Understanding 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.

* Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending the recipient.

* Listens to feedback without defensiveness and uses it for own communication effectiveness.

* Makes oral presentations and drafts reports needed for own work.

* Avoids technical jargon when inappropriate.

* Looks for and considers non-verbal cues from individuals and groups.

* Software Development:
Knowledge of software development tools and activities; ability to produce software products or systems in line with product requirements.

* Conducts walkthroughs and monitors effectiveness and quality of the development activities.

* Elaborates on multiple-development toolkits for traditional and web-based software.

* Has participated in development of multiple…