Controls Engineer 2 – Autonomous Truck Integration & Validation
Location: Tucson, AZ - Proving Ground
Work Arrangement: Full-Time Onsite
Shift: 1st Shift
Contract Duration: 24 Months + Possible extension
Pay Rate: $45-$49/hour
Benefits: 401K, PTO, Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance.
Position Overview
Caterpillar is seeking a Controls Engineer 2 – Autonomous Truck Integration & Validation Engineer to support the testing and validation of autonomous heavy-equipment systems at the Tucson Proving Ground.
This is a hands-on engineering role focused on testing autonomous machines in real-world conditions. The engineer will develop and execute test plans, analyze test data, troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, controls, and software-related issues, and collaborate with equipment operators and software development teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Create and update test and development plans for autonomous haul truck testing.
- Execute hands-on testing of autonomous machines and related systems.
- Perform vehicle-level and on-machine testing to validate system functionality and reliability.
- Analyze test data and identify system performance issues.
- Troubleshoot complex mechanical, electrical, controls, and software-related problems.
- Document issues identified during testing and clearly communicate findings.
- Prepare test reports and provide recommendations based on testing results.
- Collaborate with software developers, engineers, and onsite equipment operators.
- Support integration and validation activities for autonomous vehicle technologies.
Required Qualifications
- 2–4 years of relevant engineering, vehicle testing, validation, controls, or development experience. Internship experience may be considered.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Computer Science, or relevant hands-on experience testing/developing control systems, vehicles, engines, or autonomous technologies in lieu of a degree.
- Experience with vehicle, equipment, system, or controls testing and troubleshooting.
- Strong complex-system troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
- Comfortable working with the Windows operating system.
- Ability to analyze technical information and clearly document test results and issues.
- Strong written and verbal technical communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaborate with technical teams.
- Strong teamwork and time-management skills.
- Ability and willingness to work onsite in a hot, dry, and dusty proving-ground environment.
- Ability and willingness to frequently ascend and descend large machines while carrying a backpack or testing equipment.
- Ability to travel up to 25% as needed.
Preferred Qualifications
- Vehicle testing, validation, or product-development experience.
- Experience with heavy equipment, mining equipment, construction equipment, trucks, or other large machines.
- Experience developing test plans, procedures, reports, and technical documentation.
- Familiarity with Ubuntu or Linux.
- Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics.
- Experience troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, controls, or software systems.
- Exposure to autonomous systems, including perception, planning, positioning, or related autonomy technologies.
- Experience analyzing vehicle or system test data.
Why This Opportunity?
This position provides the opportunity to work directly with advanced autonomous heavy-equipment technology in a hands-on proving-ground environment. The engineer will gain exposure to large machines, autonomous hardware and software, vehicle-level validation, data analysis, technical troubleshooting, and collaboration with engineering and software development teams.
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