Technical Program Manager / Project Lead

Career Area:

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.

Technical Program Manager (TPM) or Project Lead for Caterpillar AI Assistant leads the development, integration, and delivery of our next generation technology for Caterpillar construction and mining machines. This role will blend hands‑on contribution and coordinating cross‑functional teams to deliver high‑quality, safety‑critical, hardware–software systems, while fostering a collaborative, supportive team environment and strong alignment with business objectives.

What You Will Do:

• Coordinate system programs across multiple machines, ensuring alignment to common strategy, architecture, and customer expectations
• Translate product and system requirements into achievable milestones, roadmaps, and execution plans
• Manage project schedules, budgets, resources, dependencies, risks, and mitigation plans across the full program lifecycle, including clear communication of business and financial impacts to stakeholders
• Support system design, subsystem testing, system integration, and troubleshooting as needed
• Identify and track technical and organizational risks and opportunities across teams and organizations
• Drive cross‑team collaboration, remove blockers, and manage interdependencies with internal teams and external vendors, particularly for issues that span multiple organizations
• Run program reviews, stakeholder meetings, customer demos, and executive updates, including participation in management and customer‑facing demonstrations as needed
• Establish program KPIs and provide clear status reporting on progress, quality, cost, and schedule
• Mentor and support team members, contribute to team vision, and provide input on performance and team selection, while creating a supportive environment focused on coaching, development, and continuous improvement
• Help define and communicate the team’s vision and purpose, aligning technical execution with long‑term product and business goals
• Actively manage one’s own professional development and model strong leadership behaviors for the team

What You Have:

• Project Management: Knowledge of effective project management strategies and tactics; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control projects, ensuring efficient utilization of technical and administrative resources to achieve project objectives.
• Cross-Team Integration: Understanding of the importance of inter-team collaboration in breaking down silos and achieving business results; ability to lead employees from various functions to communicate, coordinate work across divisions, and collaborate in solving problems as one team.
• 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.
• Relationship Management: Knowledge of relationship management techniques; ability to establish and maintain healthy working relationships with clients, vendors, and peers.
• Tactical Planning: Knowledge of effective planning techniques and ability to contribute to operational tactical planning.
• Education Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Computer Science

Consideration for Top Candidates:

• Proven experience in Technical Program Management experience (robotics or autonomous vehicles preferred) or leading complex autonomous or heavy‑equipment product development
• New Product Introduction (NPI) leadership experience for complex machines or product features
• Strong technical background in complex hardware–software systems
• Experience leading cross‑functional teams and managing release schedules
• Familiarity with agile development methodologies
• Exposure to verification and validation of safety‑critical software and systems
• Experience delivering programs to production
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and project leadership skills

Additional Information:

• This position requires the candidate to work full-time at the Mossville, IL office.
• Relocation assistance is NOT available for this position
• Visa sponsorship is NOT available with this position.
• This position will require up to 10% travel
• #LI

Summary Pay Range:

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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