Lead AI Software Engineer

* 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.
* 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
* ** 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 or large software products.
* Contrasts advantages and drawbacks of different development languages and tools.
* Estimates and monitors development costs based on functional and technical requirements.
* Provides consulting on both selection and utilization of developers' workbench tools.
* ** 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.
* Describes similarities and differences of life cycle for new product development vs. new release.
* Identifies common issues, problems, and considerations for each phase of the life cycle.
* Works with a formal life cycle methodology.
* Explains phases, activities, dependencies, deliverables, and key decision points.
* Interprets product development plans and functional documentation.
* ** Software Integration Engineering:
** Knowledge of software integration processes and functions; ability to design, develop and maintain interfaces and link to alternative platforms and software packages.
* Has experience with designing data exchange interfaces to and from software product.
* Describes tools and techniques for extraction, transformation and loading of electronic data.
* Cites examples of common linkage requirements for software products and vendors.
* Works with integrating software into the customer or partner framework and infrastructure.
* Participates in the development of technology interfaces and bridges.
* ** Software Product Design/Architecture:
** Knowledge of software product design; ability to convert market requirements into software product design.
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