Principal AI/ML Engineer - Computer Vision & Data Quality

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.

Be Part of What’s Next in Autonomous Construction Sites

Construction autonomy is one of the most complex challenges in applied AI, and at Caterpillar, advancements in physical AI, simulation, sensing, and edge computing are turning things that once felt impossible—intelligent machines operating in dynamic jobsites—into reality.

Our connected ecosystem brings together massive volumes of high-quality data to create a foundation where engineers like you can build and deploy against.

If this work motivates you, we invite you to join our team. In these roles, you’ll work at the intersection of the physical and digital worlds. You’ll help design and deliver intelligent systems that enable machines to perceive their environment, make informed decisions, and support safer, more productive operations.

Apply today to build the new era of construction autonomy at Caterpillar.

Job Summary:
We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Software Engineer to define and lead the system design of annotation and dataset quality systems that enable machine learning and AI for physical systems for autonomy.

This role is responsible for designing the end-to-end system design for how raw sensor data is transformed into high-quality labeled datasets, ensuring that training data is accurate, consistent, and aligned to model needs.

The Principal Software Engineer will act as the technical authority for annotation and dataset quality, defining system design, standards, and engineering patterns that annotation and dataset quality engineering teams will implement and scale.

This is a hands-on technical role, focused on solving complex challenges such as labeling consistency, ontology design, quality validation, human-in-the-loop workflows, and continuous dataset improvement.

Success in this role requires expertise in data-centric AI, annotation systems, and quality engineering, along with the ability to operate in ambiguous environments where requirements evolve based on model performance and real-world behavior.

What You Will Do:

Data Quality Architecture & Standards

• Define data quality frameworks, standards, and acceptance criteria for ML datasets.
• Establish scalable processes for data validation, monitoring, governance, and production readiness.

Quality Feedback Loops (Data-Centric AI)

• Design feedback systems that connect model performance to annotation and data improvement priorities.
• Drive active learning and continuous dataset optimization based on real-world outcomes.

Technical Leadership & Influence

• Provide architectural leadership for annotation and dataset quality solutions.
• Partner across ML, product, and engineering teams to ensure data quality drives system performance.

Software Engineering Excellence

• Lead the design and development of scalable data quality platforms using modern software engineering practices.
• Champion reliability, automation, operational excellence, and continuous platform improvement.

Agile & Cross-Team Collaboration

• Collaborate across product and engineering teams to deliver technical roadmaps and business objectives.
• Provide leadership through design reviews, planning, and alignment to architectural strategy.

What You Will Have:

• Exceptional decision-making, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Deep expertise in software architecture, design, and enterprise-scale application development.
• Strong knowledge of SDLC, system integration, and modern engineering best practices.
• Proven ability to deliver high-quality, scalable software solutions through rigorous testing and operational excellence.

Top Candidates Will Have:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, with 10+ years of software engineering experience and demonstrated technical leadership at the principal, staff, or lead level.
• Deep expertise in Python and/or Java, software architecture, distributed systems, cloud-native platforms, and large-scale data processing.
• Experience with computer vision, AI/ML, data-centric AI, annotation platforms, data quality frameworks, and the training data lifecycle.
• Proven ability to lead architectural strategy across teams, drive data quality improvements, and deliver solutions in complex, fast-paced environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting AI/ML, computer vision, autonomous systems, robotics, or advanced analytics platforms.
• Familiarity with annotation tools and technologies, including CVAT, Labelbox, SuperAnnotate, auto-labeling, and active learning systems.
• Experience with multimodal data annotation (e.g., LiDAR, imagery, and telemetry) and large-scale annotation operations.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

• This position requires the candidate to be based in Irving, TX (Dallas)
• Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position.
• Visa sponsorship is available for this position

Summary Pay Range:

$159,120.00 - $258,570.00

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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