IT Automation Engineer

IT Automation Engineer

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.

Role Definition

The IT automation engineer provides technical support for automation systems across production facilities, focusing on resolving equipment issues and improving reliability. This role contributes to solution design and risk assessment, supports implementation of smart technologies like AGVs and AI inspection systems, and coordinates cross-functional teams for system integration. The engineer also drives continuous optimization through data analysis and leads validation of emerging technologies.

What You Will Do

1. Smart Manufacturing Technical Support

Provide remote/on-site technical support to facilities and support on resolving abnormal issues

Lead root cause analysis and improvement implementation for key equipment (PLC/AGV) failures

2. Technical Solution Support

Act as SME in automation solution reviews for factories, delivering risk assessments and technical feasibility reports

Support to develop standardized technical toolkits (e.g., AGV path planning algorithm libraries, predictive maintenance models)

3. Project Implementation

Support smart manufacturing upgrade projects (e.g., automated warehouse systems, AI quality inspection deployment)

Coordinate cross-functional teams (IT/OT/QA) for system integration and validation testing

4. Continuous Optimization

Identify production line bottlenecks through OEE data analysis and propose automation improvement plans

Track emerging technologies and lead PoC validation and implementation

What You Have

• Knowledge of major production application systems used for delivery of services to internal and external clients; ability to leverage major production application systems in diverse situations.
• The ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations.
• Knowledge of basic activities and deliverables of application design; ability to utilize application design methodologies, tools and techniques to convert business requirements and logical models into a technical application design.
• Knowledge of how to run applications for organizations; ability to implement application software within an organization and help end-users perform specific
• The ability to elicit, analyze and record required business functionality and non-functionality requirements to ensure the success of a system or software development project.
• Knowledge of the features and facilities of systems; ability to integrate and communicate among applications, databases and technology platforms.

Top Candidates may also have

• Proficient in PLC programming; experienced in SCADA/DCS system development and maintenance
• Hands-on experience with industrial robot integration; familiar with AGV dispatch systems and navigation algorithms (Laser/SLAM/VSLAM)
• Mastery of industrial communication protocols (Modbus, Profinet, OPC UA) and industrial network architecture design
• Experience in developing AI-based visual inspection systems (deep learning frameworks, defect detection algorithm optimization)
• Experience in deploying Industrial IoT solutions (sensor data acquisition, edge computing gateways, MQTT/CoAP protocols)
• Familiar with industrial big data analytics platforms and predictive maintenance model development
• Knowledgeable in industrial firewalls and network security standards
• Capable of diagnosing communication failures at the device level in industrial environments
• Familiar with MES/ERP system interface development (e.g., SAP-PP module integration)

This position requires working onsite five days a week. Relocation is available for this position.