Simulation Architect - Sr. Autonomy Engineering Specialist

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.

In this role of Simulation Architect, the incumbent will

• Define and lead the architecture of simulation solutions to help several site operations use cases like virtual validation, gamification of training and problem diagnosis etc.
• Accountable for achieving the simulation targets of Autonomy and Automation use cases
• Work with Caterpillar’s teams to leverage the existing simulation capabilities to avoid duplicated efforts

Required Experience/ Skills

• Simulation Tools and Physics Engines: Proficiency in using simulation platforms such as Gazebo, with hands-on experience in Open Dynamics Engine and Bullet Physics for realistic modelling of environments and physical interactions.
• Strong Python Skills: Demonstrated expertise in Python programming, essential for developing, customising, and integrating simulation workflows, as well as for scripting, automation, data analysis, and rapid prototyping within simulation environments.
• Advanced Mathematics and Physics: Strong foundation in mathematics, particularly vectors and linear algebra, as well as an understanding of physics solvers and the development of kinematic models for accurate simulation of physical systems.
• Specialised Physics Modelling: Familiarity with soft body physics and vehicle dynamics, enabling the simulation of deformable objects and complex vehicular systems.
• Geospatial Technologies: Experience or knowledge in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), including expertise in geospatial coordinate systems and their transformations for location-based simulation scenarios.
• Discrete Event Simulation: Practical experience with discrete event simulation frameworks such as Sim Py, useful for modelling and analysing event-driven systems.
• Data Modelling: Background in designing and implementing robust data models to support simulation workflows and system integration.
• Systems Architecture and DevOps: Experience in architecting large-scale systems, including setting up and managing CI/CD pipelines, as well as designing solutions for large database management to support scalable simulation infrastructures.

Desired Experience/ Skills

The following are the desired skills for an applicant seeking this position:

• Isaac Sim: Experience working with NVIDIA Isaac Sim, a robotics simulation platform, indicating familiarity with advanced simulation environments.
• Isaac Lab: Knowledge of Isaac Lab, proficiency with robot learning, reinforcement learning, and research frameworks.
• C++: Strong command of C++ programming language, essential for high-performance application development in robotics and simulation.
• CUDA Accelerated Application Development: Experience in developing applications using NVIDIA CUDA for GPU acceleration, demonstrating an ability to optimise computationally intensive tasks.
• Omniverse: Familiarity with NVIDIA Omniverse, a collaborative 3D simulation and design platform, which is valuable for building scalable and interactive simulation solutions.

Educational Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in an accredited Engineering, Computer Science, Electronics & Communication, Electrical & Electronics curriculum
• Master’s degree or PhD would be an advantage.
• Relevant work experience required: 10+ years.

Skill Descriptors
Communicating Complex Concepts: Knowledge of effective presentation tools and techniques to ensure clear understanding; ability to use summarization and simplification techniques to explain complex technical concepts in simple, clear language appropriate to the audience.
• Uses comparisons to familiar ideas when introducing a technical or novel feature.
• Separates fundamental concepts from supporting details in explaining a product or service.
• Explains products and services with little or no use of technical jargon or advanced vocabulary.
• Emphasizes the most important facts or features of a product or service.


Technical Excellence: Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.
• Advises others on the assessment and provision of all technical solutions.
• Engages appropriate subject matter resources to effectively resolve technical issues.
• Mentors others to enhance their technical competence and its application to achieve more effective technical solutions.
• Coaches others in promoting, defining, analyzing, and providing superior technical solutions to business problems.
• Provides effective solutions to moderate technical challenges through strong technical competence, effectively examining implications of events and issues.
• Assumes accountability for personal technical performance and holds others responsible for theirs.

Influencing Through Expertise: Knowledge of effective influencing tactics and strategies; ability to use these to deepen own expertise and impact or challenge decisions within and outside own organization.

• Acquires expertise through training and practical experience in the relevant field.
• Analyzes the needs, desires, and motivations of the other party to effectively understand a given scenario.
• Identifies who the decision makers are and how they receive information.

Artificial Intelligence: Knowledge of the concepts, technologies and methodologies of artificial intelligence (AI); ability to develop, implement and/or apply artificial intelligence products and services in specific industry domain to achieve business goals.

• Performs basic tasks within a specific artificial intelligence area, such as self-driving cars, medical diagnosis, playing games, financial fraud detection, etc.
• Assists in business requirements analysis in the AI solution design or deployment process.

Posting Dates:

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply

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