Systems Engineer 3 - Autonomous Systems

Contract duration: 12 months (estimated start: September 7, 2026 – estimated end: September 6, 2027). Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Job type: Contract. Work hours: 7 AM to 3 PM.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to support the development, integration, validation, and deployment of autonomous machine technologies. This role will work closely with product development, systems integration, software, hardware, and validation teams to deliver reliable autonomous solutions for heavy equipment applications. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience supporting autonomous systems from product development through customer deployment, with a strong understanding of hardware/software integration, system-level requirements, validation, and troubleshooting. Experience with construction or mining equipment—particularly Articulated Dump Trucks, Hydraulic Excavators, and Wheel Loaders—is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support the design, development, integration, testing, and deployment of autonomous machine systems.
• Collaborate with software, hardware, systems integration, and validation teams throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Integrate and validate software and hardware solutions both in laboratory environments and on-machine.
• Translate complex customer and product requirements into clear, achievable system and technical requirements.
• Develop and document system requirements, functional specifications, design decisions, and success criteria.
• Perform system-level troubleshooting and identify software, hardware, communication, and integration issues.
• Support autonomous products through design, implementation, customer rollout, and ongoing production support.
• Evaluate system performance and recommend technical changes or improvements.
• Communicate technical concepts, system architecture, design tradeoffs, risks, and recommendations to engineering teams and stakeholders.
• Use data and technical evidence to support engineering recommendations and drive stakeholder alignment.
• Coordinate with project teams to define scope, technical limitations, timelines, and implementation requirements.
• Stay current on developments and emerging technologies within autonomous systems, construction, and mining industries.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Systems Engineer supporting product development teams focused on autonomous machines or autonomous systems.
• Experience integrating software and hardware to deliver production-level autonomous solutions.
• Experience collaborating with systems integration and validation teams during engineering product development.
• Hands-on experience validating software and hardware solutions in both lab and on-machine environments.
• Experience with systems integration using CAN and Ethernet communications.
• Strong understanding of autonomous systems and centralized control system architectures.
• Experience supporting production products through design, implementation, customer rollout, and support.
• Ability to decompose complex customer requirements into actionable system and technical requirements.
• Strong troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Knowledge of the full product/software development lifecycle, including requirements gathering, functional specifications, development, testing, validation, and delivery.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to document complex technical designs and requirements.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Bachelor’s degree.

Qualifications (Highly Preferred)

• Knowledge and hands-on experience with construction or mining equipment, including:
  • Articulated Dump Trucks
  • Hydraulic Excavators
  • Wheel Loaders
• Experience with Cat Command autonomous systems or similar autonomous heavy-equipment platforms.
• Strong working knowledge of the Caterpillar Command ecosystem within mining or construction environments.
• Experience with autonomous off-highway vehicles, robotics, heavy equipment, mining technology, or related machine-control systems.

Skills

• Autonomous Systems
• Systems Engineering
• Hardware/Software Integration
• Systems Integration & Validation
• CAN Bus
• Ethernet
• Heavy Equipment / Construction Equipment
• Mining Technology
• System Requirements & Requirements Decomposition
• Verification & Validation
• On-Machine Testing
• Troubleshooting & Root-Cause Analysis
• Product Development
• Technical Documentation
• Cross-Functional Engineering Collaboration

Pay

$45.13 - $48.13 per hour.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance
• AD&D and life insurance
• Short-term disability
• 401K plan (eligibility-based)